The Syrian Hamster
The most common type of hamster kept as a pet and is approximately 6-7 inches in length with a very short tail. It has hairless feet with four toes on the front feet and five on the back feet. The Syrian Hamster has expandable cheekpouches which it uses to collect and carry food and bedding and it can carry up to half its body weight in grain in its cheekpouches. It is a solitary animal and will not usually live with another past 8-10 weeks of age and so it is important that they are housed separately as serious fighting, even death can occur if more than one are kept in the same cage. The Syrian Hamster is nocturnal, usually waking during the evening. It makes a good pet and easy enough for small children to handle under supervision. The average lifespan is 2-2½ years although they can live longer and up to 3-4 years is not too unusual.




Feeding your hamster a basic staple diet of commercial dry seeds or pellets will provide the main part of its diet. Hamsters enjoy a variety of vegies and fruits. However, these fresh foods should be fed as occasional treats since the hamster mix provides all the nutritional requirements needed. An excess of vegetables and fruits could cause diarrhea. Timothy hay or alfalfa should also be added to a hamster's diet. Not only does it help the digestive process by supplying roughage, but hamsters will also use it as nesting material. Don't let your hamster's empty food bowl fool you. Only give enough food that can be eaten at once. Why? Because hamsters are hoarders. They don't actually eat all the food and when they stuff it in their mouth, they simply do that to transport it to a hiding place where they can eat it later if they want it. Be observant of your hamster's hoarding habits and feed accordingly.


When you buy a hamster it is normally not tame because the shop has no time to hold your hamster so you have to tame it yourself. It is better to tame your hamster while it is young because it is much easier. Talk to your hamster while you're taming it. It will get to know your voice. Hamsters bite only when they are frightened. If your hamster does nip your finger, it is best to put it back in its cage and leave it alone a couple of hours so that it can calm down. To hold your hamster you should cup your hands gently around the hamster.


Starter kits are nice for new small pet owners. They come complete with all the essential items you'll need to make your pet's house his home, and are a good value. But if you'd like to pick out all of your own accessories, then the best place to start is by deciding how you will house your pet.
The metal bar cage is the most common hamster cage. I would recommend this type of cage to first time hamster owners of Syrian Hamsters The base is easy to clean, it provides good excersise fo your hamster, as they usualy will climb like a monkey in them!:) You may also provide a wheel for them to run on, they love it!.


Feel free to email us if you have any questions!

Good luck with your new pet!