In need of advice about choosing a hamster 🐹

[Jane88]

Hi guys, I'm new to this so don't know if I'm on the right thread.

I'm looking for some advice, My son is 4 and his Christmas present he has asked for a hamster and have just ordered the cage and toys but would like some guidance on what type of hamster I should get I have heard Syrian boys ate more tame and easier to handle.

I had a winter white hamster years ago but can't remember to much tbh.

Thanks 🐹

[Jeir]

A syrian is 'better' for all age ranges, although will need supervised playtimes for children under 7 or 10 (forgot the recommended age, sorry), as they're slower, a little hardier, and more willing to cuddle than dwarfs, who tend to be mad little running machines who don't like sitting still for long.

As for male or female, it doesn't really matter, I think. I've owned three female hamsters over the years, and their temperaments were similar to the males I've owned; the first was almost a female clone of my first male syrian (even had the same fur markings!), being just as playful and active as he was. My second was a lazy ball of cuddles, while my third and current one, a dwarf, is actually a little friendlier than her brother. (They're Campbells hybrids - in separate cages, obviously - and Campbells/hybrids can have cage aggression. Both minihams will let me pet them when they're in their cages, but the boy is more likely to try and eat my fingers if I'm not quick to realise my petting is annoying him. They're both young and I'm still in the process of taming them, so they'll both hopefully get better about this.)

They only real thing about choosing between male or female is if you're willing to put up with a potentially smelly hamster. XD Most female hamsters can get a bit whiffy every few days, when they're in heat. My first one followed this pattern, while my second was a little stinker almost all the time, and my dwarf doesn't smell at all - her brother is smellier than she is. I tend to prefer males for this reason, and because I tend to get long-haired hamsters, and males have much longer coats, usually. =3

Anyway, a syrian of either sex would be fine. I tend to wait until the day I go to the store to decide; I get this 'love at first sight' feeling when I see a hamster that's for me, and this feeling hasn't failed me once - I've always bonded extremely well with my chosen fluffball. Perhaps your son will have such a feeling as well when he sees the little hammy that'll be his friend for the next 2+ years.

Just make sure you have everything set up for the little fluff, (large cage, toys, food, emergency vet fund, health supplies, treats, etc.) and that your son is aware that little hamsters are very shy and scared because they're no longer with their brothers/sisters and in a new strange place, and will want to be left alone for a while before they can be friends. No doubt you'll have to tame the hamster for/with him as well before he can handle the little one by himself. You'll also have to be prepared for if your son loses interest in the hamster, and thus his furry friend will have to become your furry friend. =)

[Pygmypuff]

Hi there! Welcome, and sorry for the belated reply.

This thread will do fine!

Just as a quick word of advice to start with, hamsters are a handful. People are often mislead into believing that because they are small, they are suitable for young children but this is not true. They are fragile, delicate creatures who need very sensitive handling, time and patience. I'm not suggesting in any way that you haven't done your research, but as a warning, you will end up doing an awful lot of cleaning out, handling and taming. My cousin is 6, she has gerbils and she just doesn't look after them. It's not in any way because she's a bad person, but it's just to her they are a toy, and, as all children do, she got bored of them after a while. But, if you know that you've got the time and money to look after a hamster, then congratulations on your decision! I'm sure you will enjoy having a hamster thoroughly! And just so you know, this is in no way whatsoever meant to offend you, I respect whatever choice you make!

I would suggest a Syrian as a good choice with a younger child. As they are bigger, they can be easier to hold and there is less risk of damage being done than with a dwarf. They also tend to be calmer.
To be honest, there isn't that much difference between girls and boys. Girls are renowned for smelling foul when they are in heat, but I never found that with my female Syrian. Behavior wise, again, I'd say there isn't much difference. All personalities are unique, so you can get a massive mixture of calm males and females and more shy males and females.

Goodluck with your decision! Hope I could be of help!

~Olivia and Puff

[coolcucumber19]

I would suggest a syrian , they are better for smaller children as they are larger and easier to tame Only downside would be they do need a lot of cage space and bigger toys making it more expensive but this is a life you have to be responsible for so it is worth letting it have a happy life

[Pebbles82]

I can recommend male syrians - ours doesn't smell and is a lovely little thing - a bit lazy maybe! He belongs to our six year old boy but I do the cleaning out and feeding.

If you have had a hamster before I guess you will know how to handle them. It can take a lot of supervising with a child to teach them to hold a hamster gently and not to jump if the hamster jumps. The taxi driver who drove me home when I picked ours up took one look at it and groaned and said he'd had a bad experience with a hamster once when his two year old held the hamster a bit tight and broke its neck.

So the tricky bit might be your child having to wait until the hamster is tame enough to be handled without either child or hamster freaking out (it took me a couple of months and our little boy desperately wanted to hold and touch him but had to wait until the Hamster was tame enough).

I am sure you and he will be fine though. Although Charlie is our little boy's hamster I became potty over him - he's my baby!

Of course you could always get the hamster now, not the little boy see him yet, and have him tame by Christmas! They need to have a good size cage if you weren't aware of that. Minimum recommended RSPCA size is 75cm x 45cm ish.

[Thin Lizzy]

Definitely a syrian! I've had both sexes and I do find the males easier and faster to tame.
Good Luck! So good to read that you've done research and wanting to get some more advice.
You'll get all your answers here!

[Willow Wisp]

I can't say I understand people mentioning smelly female Syrians, I have two females and neither of them smell. I'd also add it would be impossible for a 4yr old to hold either of my two, they are just far too fast, they are both tame, happy and healthy but even I can't hold them for more than 10 seconds lol they want to be exploring and getting into mischief not sitting quietly lol. Try letting mine loose on a sofa or bed etc and they jump off and run

I'm not trying to put you off, or be negative, I'm just trying to for warn you that not all hamsters are hands on, especially with young children although they are all fascinating to watch

Having said that, my vote also goes with a Syrian, good luck with whatever you decide

[SinNyx]

Definitely go for a Syrian.

If I were you, I would definitely go for personality over colour as well. Whether buying a hamster from a breeder or store make sure you ask to hold them first so you know which one is best suited to your son.

Syrians are overall better but will each have a different personality. Some will like being handled, others will be quite jumpy and may prefer their own space.

I see quite a few people re-homing hamsters as young children lose interest or want a different colour so take it slow and don't go on an impulse buy. It may take a while to tame a hamster after bringing it home too so you will have to be patient.

I'd always recommend going to a breeder for a hamster for a young child so that you know it would have been handled (many pet shop hamsters don't get handled so can be quite skittish). This time of year Syrians don't breed as well and many become infertile for the colder winter months so breeders do not usually try (can also mean smaller pups, female won't carry etc). This can also mean sales of Syrians in shops are lower too. So even if you struggle to find a Syrian, don't rush into a different species.

[velma]

I didn't see it mentioned above so sorry if I'm repeating someone but the other problem with Syrians is they are nocturnal. Obvious, I know but means it's unlikely your little boy would really ever see the hamster unless you've woken it, which can result in a grumpy ham. Even if you wake my Syrian in the day she won't come out of her nest. I have a roborovski who is much more likely to come out in the day if I'm about & offering treats. He is a lot of fun to watch but is far too quick & small for a child to handle. Robos are more of a furry goldfish than a petting pet. With both my hams, you have to be very slow & still with any movements or they freak out & I'm not sure kids are always great with that.

[Jane88]

Thanks everyone for the replies. I had read in a few places about syrian girls being a bit smelly when in season and then othhers places saying they don't smell at all. Think my son has settled on having a boy hamster.

I do understand my son won't be able to handle him as much at first but I don't really mind looking after it it or when or if he tires of it. What time do they normally wake in the evenings is it very late at night or just when it becomes dark?

I have got quite a large cage for it I got the zoo plus Alaska cage. I thinks it's actually bigger than the RSPCA standard. I've got all the toys and extras for it and I did choose the 28cm trixie wheel (hope that's the right size).

If you have anymore advice it will be welcome 🐹