Potential new hamster owner here!

kitkatxo · 04-27-2016, 01:23 PM

Hi everyone, I'm new here and I have some questions

I'm thinking about getting a hamster but obviously don't want to rush into it - I don't want to commit to looking after one until I'm sure I can do it properly. I also need to check with my landlord whether I'm allowed to keep one, but I want to have all the practicalities ironed out before I approach him about it. Sorry for all the questions :P

1. I actually initially really wanted a robo dwarf hamster, because they're the ones I saw in Pets at Home and fell in love with - so small so fluffy so cute. I've read though that dwarf hamsters in general, esp robos, aren't ideal for first-time owners because they're so speedy - is this true?

2. Would I be better off rehoming an older hamster or getting a new baby one?

3. Are they noisy/ smelly? I ask because I'd need to keep him or her in my room and I've been told horror stories about how even if you clean them out every day, the cage will smell awful (but I don't think this can be true?). I know they're nocturnal - would this be really disruptive if I was keeping one in my room?

That's actually all the questions I can remember, although I'm sure I had more :P I'll post more when I remember! Any input would be appreciated

if I do get one, it won't be for a few weeks at least because I really don't want to rush making a decision.

cypher · 04-27-2016, 10:39 PM

Hi & welcome

Robos can be very difficult to handle & quite a challenge to tame so maybe not the easiest ham to start off with, if you go into P@H you should be able to handle one, or try which might help you decide if that is the kind of ham you think you could handle!
All the dwarf hams are speedy compared to syrians but I do think the Russians are the easiest to tame & handle & probably a lot better to start off with, they were my first hams & they make adorable & very interactive pets.

If you rehome an older ham, always a lovely thing to do, you may not know much about it's history or if it's had a troubled past that could make taming or interaction & handling difficult but if you can get to spend a little time with a ham that needs adopting & you feel that's what you'd like to do then go for it.
You never really know what you will get till you get a ham home & spend some time with it so there's not really a "best" option.

Hams are very clean, most (other than my Chineseys!) are easy to litter train so you only need to do minimal spot cleaning most of the time, females can smell a little when in heat but it's not a bad or overly strong smell, I've only had one female russian ham & never noticed anything with her though nor my female Chinese, maybe more of a syrian thing!
Dwarfs do tend to pee in there wheels but again the smell isn't strong or overly unpleasant & although it may sound odd the less you clean the less they do it so smell isn't generally a problem!

Hams aren't noisy, a good cage so they don't have problems like bar chewing (not that common in dwarf hams anyway) & a really good quiet wheel & the noise will be barely noticeable.

If you need any more help or info just fire away

Sunset_Melody · 04-28-2016, 01:38 AM

Honestly in respect to the noise and stuff you kind of get used to it. It becomes background noise and you find it weird when you don't hear little creatures shuffling about at night.

flowerfairy · 04-28-2016, 06:12 AM

I have four syrians and two roborovskis in my bedroom. They all have good wheels though which helps.

Roborovskis are little whizzers and can become hand tame. Syrians are a bit slower, esp the males in my experience.

I am not sure which species i like best. Just go in the shop and follow your heart!

CMB · 04-28-2016, 06:22 AM

Wheels can be noisy, but if you check some of the wheel threads here you can find the right size (the hamster needs to run in the wheel with its back straight) wheel that is also quiet.

Bar chewing can be load especially when you're trying to sleep. Syrians are usually best for a first time hamster owner. They are slower than dwarf species and more laid back, especially the males.

Syrians need large cages to fit in large wheels, houses and toys.

AmityvilleHams · 04-28-2016, 06:55 AM

Robos are definitely more fast than a Syrian,but it does depend on personal preference what hamster species you do get.I'd suggest a Syrian though,as it is easier to get used to handling them with their larger size!However,Syrians do prefer the large square meter cages where robos you can kind of get away with 80 cm by 50 cm cages fairly easy.

This also comes down to personal preference.If you want an older hamster,that's perfectly fine.If you want a younger hamster,that's also perfectly fine.It can sometimes have a slight impact on how easy a hamster is to tame,but that really depends on your method and their personality more than age or species.

I really do think that of all the myths out there the cage odor myth is the funniest.Hamsters are one of the lowest odor animals for the most part,as long as you spot clean daily and have a good amount(30 cm or so for Syrians)of substrate that is a good type(paper or hemp based,avoid anything wood based except aspen as it is not guaranteed to be as safe)there will be little to no odor especially with litter training!They aren't very noisy though,I think the noisiest they get is with wheels and water bottles.Those aren't exactly that loud though if you find good ones

cypher · 04-28-2016, 07:01 AM

I'd agree that males are more laid back, generally, with all species but there are many exceptions to that rule!
I wouldn't agree so much that syrians are more laid back & think even if it's in a nice way they can be a lot more high maintenance!

AmityvilleHams I hope you don't mind me saying but you don't actually need to quote every post you reply to, it can make reading threads a bit ummm, lengthy!

CMB · 04-28-2016, 07:04 AM

Where are you from? It will others to advise on what to buy eg cages and toys,once you have decided on which species of hamster you want to get.

If you buy a younger hamster you will have to do the taming, but you may be able to get an older hamster who is tame.

kitkatxo · 04-28-2016, 09:47 AM

Wow thank you all for your speedy responses! I think I need to do some more research into cage sizes from the sounds of it; I'm getting the impression from you guys + other people I've talked to that I might be best going for a Syrian? I've never kept small animals before (only a cat, but she lives at my parents') so I think I'd be more comfortable getting a slower one :P

cypher, what way would you say Syrians are higher maintenance?

I stand reassured on the odour question :P another question though, is it better to have one of those tank-style cages, or one with bars? I've seen conflicting arguments and I'm really not sure what to think.

kitkatxo · 04-29-2016, 01:38 AM

Oh my gosh, I posted a reply yday and it hasn't gone through, that's so annoying!

Thanks everyone for your responses! I'm leaning towards a Syrian as from what you guys have said and what I've read elsewhere, I think I'd be better off with a slightly slower one :P I'm thinking though the cage would have to be quite a bit bigger from what I've read? There seems to be some conflict too over whether tank-style cages or cages with bars are best, what do you guys think? Sorry for all the questions!!