How To Choose

When buying a hamster, it is best to get it from a private breeder, or large pet shop, (try to avoid buying a hamster from a cramped pet shop). Before you buy a hamster, you should take note, the cage the animal has been living in, the condition of its coat and how clean the hamster is. If the cage the hamster has been living in is clean and the hamster looks happy and well kept, this should reflect a good quality of life for the animal.

Things you should look for in a hamster when buying:

• it should be in the age range of four to eight weeks


• clean living area with fresh food and water


• the eyes should be bright and clear, with no signs of discharge


• the nose should be free of discharge


• the mouth should be clean, dribbling can be a sign of problems


• breathing should be quiet and regular


• the body should be well covered with no signs of breaking


• the coat should be well groomed with no soiling or matting