Hamsters are frequently kept as pets because of their small size, which makes them adorable, affordable, and easy to maintain. When you buy a hamster, there are things you need to take care of, including purchasing the correct size cage and exercise equipment. To do this, you must know how big a hamster can get.
Hamsters can grow between 1.7-14 inches (4.4-35 cm) and weigh 0.6-16 oz (18-460 g). Several factors determine how large a hamster will grow, including gender, genetics, diet and lifestyle, and breed. The most significant of these factors is the hamster’s breed.
This article will explain the characteristics that determine the size of a hamster and how they affect it. It will also compare several different breeds and their full-grown sizes. Read on for everything you need to know about how big a hamster can get.
Factors Determining the Size of a Hamster
With such a wide range in sizes, you may wonder what causes the difference between one hamster and another. Several factors determine the final size of a hamster.
It is important to note that the size of the hamster’s cage will not affect how large it grows. This is why it is essential to know how large a hamster will grow before buying an enclosure for it. Otherwise, you will need to purchase another cage once your hamster reaches its full growth potential.
Let’s look at the factors affecting hamster size to see exactly how they impact how big a hamster can get.
The Hamster’s Gender
While not a perfect determinant, the gender of the hamster can give some idea of how large it will get. This factor has the most negligible effect on the size of the hamster as it is not always perfectly accurate.
In general, the males will be larger than the females. However, there are exceptions to this rule, as with any other species of animal on the planet. This is why this factor is considered the least essential determinant.
The Hamster’s Genetics
When two larger hamsters breed, they produce larger offspring. The same is true for smaller hamsters. Of course, there can be exceptions to this rule, but if you have information on the parents of the hamster you plan to own, you can generally gauge how large the hamster will grow.
The Hamster’s Diet and Lifestyle
This factor will affect the hamster’s overall weight, not its length. When keeping a hamster as a pet, you have to consider that it’s no longer getting the exercise it would in the wild. It is limited to the activities provided in its cage.
If you feed it the wrong foods or too much, it will steadily gain weight until it reaches an unhealthy mass.
To keep the hamster within the acceptable weight range, you’ll need to provide the correct amount and type of food and enough exercise. Options can include an exercise ball or wheel that the hamster can use regularly.
Wild hamsters lead an entirely different lifestyle in which they must forage for food while maintaining alertness about their surroundings. Some days they may find more food than others, but because they have to work to get their food, they’ll be burning calories while getting it.
The Hamster’s Breed
Its breed is the most dominant factor in determining how big a hamster can get. Each breed’s relative size range determines its maximum length and weight.
Wild hamsters can range up to 14 inches (35 centimeters) in length, while the smallest domesticated hamster can be as tiny as 1.7 in (4.4 cm). Despite the small size of hamsters, the length and weight ranges within each breed tend to be relatively wide, allowing for significant variation among them.
Different Hamster Breeds
Since the breed of hamsters makes such a profound difference in how large a specific hamster will grow, it’s worth taking a look at the different size ranges of each one. The following table illustrates several different breeds and their full-grown lengths and weights.
While the table includes domesticated and wild hamsters, it is not fully inclusive of all species currently identified. The breeds that are bolded are the ones most commonly found in domestic situations.
| Breed | Length | Weight |
| Roborovski Hamster | 1.7-2 in (4.4-5 cm) | 0.6-0.9 oz (18-28 g) |
| Dwarf Campbell’s Russian Hamster | 2-4 in (5-10 cm) | 1.4-2 oz (40-60 g) |
| Dwarf Winter White Russian Hamster | 2.7-3.5 in (6.8-9 cm) | 2.5-3.2 oz (70-90 g) |
| Chinese Hamster | 3.2-5 in (5-13 cm) | 1-1.6 oz (30-45 g) |
| Syrian Hamster | 5-7 in (13-18 cm) | 5-6 oz (145-170 g) |
| Chinese Striped Hamster | 2.8-4.6 in (7-12 cm) | 0.7-1.2 oz (20-35 g) |
| Mongolian Hamster | 5-6 in (13-15 cm) | 2.3-2.6 oz (65-75 g) |
| Romanian Hamster | 6-7 in (15-18 cm) | 2.8-4 oz (80-115 g) |
| European Hamster | 8-14 in (20-35 cm) | 7.8-16 oz (220-460 g) |
The Smallest Breed
Roborovski hamsters are the smallest breed of hamster and are one of those most commonly domesticated. They tend to be shy at first but quickly warm up once they are used to their family.
Because of their small size, accommodations need to be made with their cages. Traditional cages with bars won’t work because these little hamsters can squeeze through the bars. Glass or plastic cages are essential.
Additionally, because of their small size, care will have to be taken with handling them. They are not the ideal pets for those with small children as they are tiny, potentially making them hard to handle.
They’ll reach their maximum size by three months old. This meager size is just 1.7-2 in (4.4-5 cm), so you’ll have to take extra care to keep track of your little friend.
The Largest Breed
You won’t find the largest hamster breed in anyone’s home, as it is not domesticated. The European hamster is a wild breed and is, unfortunately, considered endangered.
At its maximum size, it will grow to 8-14 in (20-35 cm), making it significantly larger than the Robo hamster. Males of this breed are generally bigger than females.
The Largest Domesticated Breed
The Syrian hamster is the largest kept as a pet. Because of its size, it is often chosen as a pet for families with children and is easier to handle than the smaller Robo hamster.
Getting this breed of hamster has one downside. It must be kept from all other hamsters as it tends to be aggressive.
Because of their larger size, they will need a cage to accommodate them. Generally, a 12 x 24 x 12 in (30 x 60 x 30 cm) cage will be sufficient. Plastic or glass is preferred with a tight-fitting lid that will prevent escape.
However, if there ever is an escape, you’ll typically be able to find a Syrian hamster easier than one of the smaller breeds because of its size.
Conclusion
Hamsters are one of the most popular pets because of their small size. How big they grow depends on several factors, but mainly on their breed. Understanding how large your hamster will grow can help you purchase the right supplies to ensure it leads a happy, healthy life with you and your family.