How to Select Hamsters

When selecting pet hamsters, it's important to observe the animal to ensure that it's alert, active and healthy. Some hamsters are susceptible to disease if they spend their first few weeks of life at a pet store. Finding a healthy hamster with a winning personality will lead to years of enjoyment and companionship.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Decide which type of hamsters you want to purchase. Golden hamsters, also known as Syrians, are fairly large and can reach up to 5 inches long. Dwarf hamsters are an inch or so smaller, are more resistant to diseases such as wet tail and are more likely to get along with other hamsters in a relatively small space.

2. Look closely at the face of the hamsters before you select one to take home. The eyes of the hamsters should appear bright and expressive, and the nose and whiskers should be wiggling and twitching.

3. Check the fur of the hamster before you purchase it. A healthy hamster should be meticulously groomed, with the fur lying down evenly and smoothly. A hamster that has stopped grooming itself or has patchy or dull fur may be suffering from a variety of health problems and should be avoided.

4. Examine the rear of the hamster to check for signs of wet tail or other gastrointestinal ailments. Wet tail, which is an intestinal infection that strikes young hamsters, can be deadly if not treated within a day or two. Symptoms of wet tail include diarrhea and blood stains around the animal's tail, lethargy, a hunched-over posture, a swollen or distended rectum and occasional squeaks of pain.

5. Find a hamster that is active and on the move at all times. Hamsters need to keep moving to avoid a condition called cage paralysis, which can shorten their lives. Slow-moving or lethargic animals can develop this condition rather quickly.

6. Select a hamster that enjoys being picked up and handled by humans. While you can train the most nervous of hamsters to get used to human contact, it can be a lot of work and you might get bitten a few times in the process. By choosing a hamster that is already friendly and comfortable with being handled, you increase the likelihood of owning a delightful and worthwhile companion.

Tips & Warnings

• Golden hamsters generally do not get along with other hamsters, especially in smaller cages. If you do want to select more than one golden hamster, you should probably buy more than one cage as well.

[Beena81]

on 10/3/2008 My personal recommendation is to avoid buying hammys from large retail chains. Generally speaking they do not provide the same level of care when breeding so you may end up with an inbred hammy with lots of health problems. I got my Hammy from a private breeder - a professional who will walk you through and guide you to what is best for you and your new little friend.