With their chubby cheeks and adorable looks, it would be no surprise if you’re planning to get your own Syrian hamster. But before you become a new pet owner, it’s important to do your research first and know where to get your furry friend.
The best place to get a Syrian hamster is from ethical and responsible breeders, as you’re assured that the hamster is healthy. Also, they can provide essential data, like health records. Other places that have hamsters are shelters, rescue centers, online listings, and pet stores.
Knowing where you should get your new hamster is just the start of your journey as a new pet parent. You must do it right, and this article will help. Additionally, it will provide insights that will help you decide if you can commit to taking care of a Syrian hamster.
Where Should You Get a Syrian Hamster?
When getting a Syrian hamster (or any hamster), consider the following hierarchy:
- Responsible and ethical hamster breeders
- Shelters or rescue organizations
- Listings and pet shops
Pet stores should not be your first option for getting a Syrian hamster. Often, hamsters sold in pet stores come from breeding mills where the health or well-being of the animals are not prioritized. The practices in these mills tend to be callous, and you may not want to support them if you care about animal welfare.
Responsible and Ethical Hamster Breeders
There should be an emphasis on the words responsible and ethical because not all hamster breeders are such. Some are just like commercial breeding mills but on a smaller scale.
You can use word of mouth and research to find responsible and ethical hamster breeders. You can ask friends, conduct online searches, look into hamster forums, and ask nearby pet owners. Once you have names, pay them a visit and watch out for red and green flags.
You can look into ethical breeder listings from dedicated hamster organizations, like the Internet Hamster Association of North America (IHANA), California Hamster Association, Midland Hamster Club, and Northern Hamster Club.
Shelters or Rescue Organizations
Rescue organizations and shelters may also have hamsters in dire need of welcoming homes. They may not be purebred or show quality, but they are adorable and need loving homes. Thus, contact your local rescue centers or shelters to see if they have a hammy that suits you!
Moreover, good rescuers ensure that their up-for-adoption hamsters are in good health and that their records are as updated as possible. They also do their best to ensure that you and the hammy are a perfect match!
Listings and Pet Shops
Understandably, you may not have a nearby animal shelter or ethical breeder. Thus, you may look into the last options: online listings and pet shops. However, be aware that with both, you run the risk of getting an unhealthy hamster, especially if the listing owner wasn’t responsible or the pet store sources its animals from breeding mills.
If you decide to go to a pet store, it’s recommended to opt for small-scale pet shops rather than large shops. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) organization has reported that the farm or breeder that supplies animals to popular, large pet stores keeps the animals in undesirable conditions.
How To Choose a Syrian Hamster
When choosing a Syrian hamster, ask the owners or agents if you can look around the place, handle the animals, or let them touch the hamsters if they don’t let you. If they’re being rude and defensive with your reasonable and polite requests, then you may take that as a red flag.
Aside from how they respond to your requests, there are other flags you should look out for.
Green Flags
These are signs that a breeder, shelter, or store is an excellent place to get your new pet. Check whether the hamster has:
- Clean ears
- Clean and dry bottom
- Small, rounded stomach
- Clean, bright eyes
- Healthy teeth
- Alert and curious behavior (look out for this in the afternoon or later hours because hamsters are nocturnal)
- Fresh and sufficient food and water
- Clean and adequate food and water containers
- Neatly trimmed toenails
Red Flags
The following are signs that a breeder, shelter, or store is NOT a good place to get your hamster from.
- Parasites (may appear as black specks)
- Bald spots
- Lumps
- Overgrown/curled teeth
- Wet fur around the rump
- Aggressive behavior (e.g., biting, scratching)
- Fearful behavior (e.g., hiding, darting, reluctant)
- Very young-looking (e.g., babies)
- Limp
Things To Consider Before Getting a New Syrian Hamster
Aside from the green and red flags, another thing to consider before getting a Syrian hamster is your own preferences. You should also consider the hamster’s gender, as behavioral differences between male and female hammies make one more suited to you than the other.
Should I Get a Male or Female Syrian Hamster?
There are essential behavioral differences between male and female hamsters, such as the latter being usually more aggressive than the other. Females also release a foul, musky odor when in heat and, according to some owners, require a larger enclosure than males.
You should get a female Syrian hamster if you can invest time, effort, and patience to train and handle them. Moreover, you should be tolerant of musky odors, as they will emit such when in heat. However, if you prefer a more docile pet, choose a male Syrian hamster.
Should I Get a Dwarf or a Syrian Hamster?
Syrian hamsters are relatively large creatures, so a dwarf hammy is another choice for those with small spaces. But is that all you should think about?
Dwarf hamsters still require adequate space and exercise opportunities to stay healthy and happy. While it may be tempting to go for a smaller pet, it’s important to remember that these creatures still have specific needs that must be met in order for them to lead happy lives.
Before you get a dwarf hamster over a Syrian one based on size, you must also consider temperament. Dwarf hamsters are less friendly and nippier than Syrian hammies. Thus, if you have kids or want to handle your hamster more often, you’d find Syrian hamsters better suited.
How To Get a Syrian Hamster To Like You
Once you have your perfect Syrian hamster, here are a few tips to get them to like you:
- Be patient and gentle. From the moment you introduce yourself up to the days you’re constantly handling your hamster, you must be patient and gentle. They can be easily startled and stressed.
- Schedule handling sessions. You should make an active effort to make your hamster get used to you. However, do not force them to play with you when they don’t want to. Also, schedule your handling sessions during active times. Remember, hamsters are usually nocturnal.
- Maintain a calm environment. Hamsters get stressed quickly. Thus, it is not just you that should be patient and gentle; their environment also has to be calm or quiet, so they’re relaxed enough to like you.
Final Thoughts
Syrian hamsters are chosen as pets by many because of their adorable appearance. If you want to have one, it is best to get it from a reputable and ethical breeder rather than a pet store. Also, you must ensure that the specific hamster you chose shows signs of good health and fits your preferences and personality.