Syrian vs. Dwarf Hamsters, What Should I Get For My Family?

As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care of. Hamsters require no walking, are not particularly dirty or stinky, they are small and don't take up much space and are generally inexpensive. Hamsters are also fairly hearty animals and can be a very good pet for a child or a family with several children. There are however, two distinct choices when it comes to adopting a hamster for your family, and that is the dwarf hamster and the syrian hamster. I spoke with Ken Brocx, the founder of Hamsterific.com, an authoritative hamster and small pet website about this question and what his recommendations would be to someone considering adopting a hamster but not knowing exactly which route is best for his/her family.

Andy Markison:
Thanks Ken for taking the time to speak to us. First of all, let's assume a family with a young child or children (let's assume around seven or eight years of age for this example) is considering adopting a hamster or hamsters for their home. Would you personally recommend either a dwarf hamster or a syrian hamster in this case?

Ken Brocx:
Typically I would recommend a syrian hamster for younger children. Dwarf hamsters are smaller which can make them harder to handle. Also, if a dwarf manages to get loose they are faster than syrians and thus harder to catch. Syrians tend to be more docile if they are properly raised.

AM:
Syrian hamsters are supposed to be solitary once they are weaned, but that's not the case with dwarf hamsters is it?

KB:
No. Most dwarf hamsters prefer some company, but that means more space. That can be a problem since many commercial cages are too small for more than one hamster, even a dwarf hamster.

AM:
Is there any reason to purchase a dwarf hamster solitarily? Or would it be better to adopt two dwarfs rather than one?

KB:
In the wild dwarf hamsters live in colonies, so I prefer to keep them that way. A dwarf hamster on it's own will need a lot of attention to keep it from getting depressed.

AM:
If you initially purchase a dwarf hamster and later wish to introduce a second (or third) dwarf hamster would that be possible or are you asking for conflicts with such an introduction?

KB:
It depends on the particular dwarf hamster and on how long they have been alone. If a dwarf hamster has been on it's own for more than a month I find it is very difficult to introduce a new cagemate. Young dwarf hamsters will accept a new hamster much more readilly than an older dwarf hamster. Also dwarf hamsters tend to socialize better with siblings than with strange or unfamiliar hamsters.

AM:
Are dwarf hamsters generally less hearty creatures than syrians?

KB:
Both dwarf and syrian hamsters are very hardy creatures. Dwarf hamsters have been domesticated for a much shorter time than syrians, and because of that there has been less of an opportunity for them to become inbred. Inbreeding can cause many problems with the health of any breed of hamster. In syrians this often results in a hamster that is difficult to tame. In dwarf hamsters it is very common to see diabetes in inbred pups.

AM:
What kind of equipment would you recommend someone about to adopt a hamster get for their hamster's new home?

KB:
Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water, a food bowl that's heavy enough that it won't tip over when a hamster is crawling on it, a wheel for exercise and a "nest" where they can feel secure. Wheels aren't just toys. A hamster in the wild can run several miles a night marking it's territory and looking for food and the only way we can duplicate that in a confined space is a wheel. In the wild hamsters live in burrows underground. For nesting a hamster needs a place where it feels it can retreat from danger. A hamster without a nest will feel insecure and nervous.

AM:
What are the life spans of dwarfs and syrian hamsters?

KB:
Dwarfs usually live 2-4 years depending on breed, living conditions and genetic disposition. Syrians live about 2-3 years.

AM:
What would you suggest someone look for when purchasing or adopting a hamster?

KB:
The most important things are the hamsters health and personality. The color, long hair and pretty eyes won't matter much if you have a sick hamster. Look for clean and dry fur, especially around the butt of the hamster, stressed hamsters can get Wet Tail, which is a deadly type of diarrhea. Wet Tail can spread to surrounding cages and it can be very difficult to sterilize an area after an outbreak. Personality is very important, too. If you pick an outgoing hamster that doesn't mind being held you're probably going to have a much easier time taming and making friends with him or her.

AM:
Is there a reason to adopt a hamster(s) from a breeder rather than a pet store?

KB:
Professional breeders usually take great care in ensuring their hamsters are not inbred. Inbreeding can result in many health and personality problems. Many pet stores buy from these same breeders, although some may just let their hamsters breed in the store leading to rampant inbreeding and hamsters with poor health. Also, just because a person has lots of hamsters and sells them does not mean they are a quality professional breeder. Don't forget to check your local shelters, too. Animal shelters often have hamsters that need good homes.

AM:
Is the diet of the syrian significantly different than that of a dwarf? I know, for example, that giving dwarf hamsters fruit that may be high in sugar could be problematic because dwarfs may be more likely to become diabetic.

KB:
Other than that, syrians and dwarfs have similar diets.

AM:
What is "heat" exactly? It's related to nuts in some way isn't it or is it related to other types of foods as well? And does "heat" affect a syrian and dwarf the same way?

KB:
Well, there are two types of "heat". "Heat" can be the term for when a female hamster comes into season, but you are talking about the condition that affects hamsters that eat too many fatty foods. That type of "heat" is usually caused by an owner who wants to feed their hamster a treat, usually sunflower seeds, and goes overboard. Too much oil, like that in sunflower seeds, can cause a hamster's metabolism to speed up and cause them to lose hair. That's "heat" and I've only seen it in dwarf hamsters.

AM:
Any last words, warnings, recommendations or other thoughts in general that you'd like to share with someone who is interested in adopting a hamster?

KB:
Health and personality are the most important things in buying a new hamster, buy the biggest home for your hamster you can, never put two syrian hamsters together, and play with your hamster as often as you can!

Interview with Ken Brocx, founder of Hamsterific.com an authoritative website on hamsters and other small pets.

Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer, animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website, http://www.zapgraphix.com/, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.

---

Rescue Dogs

We have all grown up with at least one hero... Read More

Tips for Overcoming Boredom and Routine Stress

There are many ways in which you can prepare for,... Read More

The Case AGAINST Raw Frozen Pet Foods

For some 25 years I have alerted the public to... Read More

Dog Rescue: Is it Right for You?

Ever had a hankering for a certain breed of dog?... Read More

Brushing Up On Dog Grooming

Is your dog due for a makeover? Has she been... Read More

A Guide to Bird Cages for Sale

As overwhelming as picking out a pet bird can be,... Read More

Petting a Dog is Good For Both of You

Studies have shown that regularly petting a dog brings a... Read More

Buy Dog Travel Supplies Online

Dog Travel SuppliesThe shopping part along for dog travel supplies... Read More

What You Should Know About Your Dogs Sleeping Habits

It's important to understand your dog's sleeping habits and how... Read More

How Intelligent is Your Dog

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence... Read More

Dealing with a Dog Food Allergy?

Just as humans allergies can show up as a sneeze... Read More

Tips For Dog Toys

Toys are fun both for our dogs and us. Lucky... Read More

Animal Behavior: What is My Dog Saying?

Dogs are quite amiable creatures. Much like our human counterparts,... Read More

What You Should Never Feed Your Dog

Unfortunately, there are a number of household items which we... Read More

The Top Five Reasons to Rescue a Boxer

What if you want a Boxer, but cannot stomach the... Read More

Doggie Day Care is an Awesome Alternative

Doggie day care is becoming more and more prevalent in... Read More

Did You Know?

German Shepherds were among the first dogs trained for police... Read More

Pets: The Wild Kind

Just because we moved out to the country a couple... Read More

Toy Dog Breeds

Toy dog breeds include greyhounds, terriers, pinschers, pugs, chihuahuas, pekingese,... Read More

Materials for Snake and other Reptile Cages

What kind of materials should you use when constructing a... Read More

Housebreaking Your Dog-Potty Training Canine Style

Puppies are a bundle of newfound joy. You've prepared the... Read More

How to Build a Dog House for Your Puppy

So you'd like to know how to build a dog... Read More

You Cant Fool A Horse

By Jeffrey Rolocopyright 2004 AlphaHorseIn the dating world many men... Read More

Wooden Bird Cages

Gone are the days of boring bird cages. Today's bird... Read More

Tired of Vet Bills?

Do you make a lot of trips to the vet's... Read More

Why Should I Adopt A Pet

Over the past couple of years, animal rescues have been... Read More

Chicken Compared To Chicken Meal

When selecting the best dry food for your dog, why... Read More

The Secret That Keeps Horses Trainable!

As you likely know already, horses have at least 10... Read More

Are Westhighland Terriers the Right Dogs for You?

You can look at westhighland terriers and know if it... Read More

Pet Friendly Vacations - 10 Tips for Hassle-Free Travel with Your Pet

Pet friendly vacations and travel planning make sense -- after... Read More

Raw Feed? Are You Joking?

Let's think about this for a minute: God did not... Read More

If You Want a Friend, Get a Dog!

Carl Icahn, the hostile takeover master who was THE original... Read More

Ensure a Good Relationship Between Your Cat and Your Kids

Many parents know that the best way for children to... Read More