SYRIAN vs. DWARF HAMSTERS, WHAT SHOULD I
GET FOR MY FAMILY?
As pets go hamsters are fairly easy to take care
of. Hamsters require no walking, are not particularly dirty or stinky, they are
small and don't take up much space and are generally inexpensive. Hamsters are
also fairly hearty animals and can be a very good pet for a child or a family
with several children. There are however, two distinct choices when it comes to
adopting a hamster for your family, and that is the dwarf hamster and the Syrian
hamster. I spoke with Ken Brocx, the founder of Hamsterific.com, an
authoritative hamster and small pet website about this question and what his
recommendations would be to someone considering adopting a hamster but not
knowing exactly which route is best for his/her family.
Andy Markison:
Thanks Ken for taking the time to speak to us. First of all, let's assume a
family with a young child or children (let's assume around seven or eight years
of age for this example) is considering adopting a hamster or hamsters for their
home. Would you personally recommend either a dwarf hamster or a Syrian hamster
in this case?
Ken Brocx:
Typically I would recommend a Syrian hamster for younger children. Dwarf
hamsters are smaller which can make them harder to handle. Also, if a dwarf
manages to get loose they are faster than Syrians and thus harder to catch.
Syrians tend to be more docile if they are properly raised.
AM:
Syrian hamsters are supposed to be solitary once they are weaned, but that's not
the case with dwarf hamsters is it?
KB:
No. Most dwarf hamsters prefer some company, but that means more space. That can
be a problem since many commercial cages are too small for more than one
hamster, even a dwarf hamster.
AM:
Is there any reason to purchase a dwarf hamster solitarily? Or would it be
better to adopt two dwarfs rather than one?
KB:
In the wild dwarf hamsters live in colonies, so I prefer to keep them that way.
A dwarf hamster on it's own will need a lot of attention to keep it from getting
depressed.
AM:
If you initially purchase a dwarf hamster and later wish to introduce a second
(or third) dwarf hamster would that be possible or are you asking for conflicts
with such an introduction?
KB:
It depends on the particular dwarf hamster and on how long they have been alone.
If a dwarf hamster has been on it's own for more than a month I find it is very
difficult to introduce a new casemate. Young dwarf hamsters will accept a new
hamster much more readily than an older dwarf hamster. Also dwarf hamsters tend
to socialize better with siblings than with strange or unfamiliar hamsters.
AM:
Are dwarf hamsters generally less hearty creatures than Syrians?
KB:
Both dwarf and Syrian hamsters are very hardy creatures. Dwarf hamsters have
been domesticated for a much shorter time than Syrians, and because of that
there has been less of an opportunity for them to become inbred. Inbreeding can
cause many problems with the health of any breed of hamster. In Syrians this
often results in a hamster that is difficult to tame. In dwarf hamsters it is
very common to see diabetes in inbred pups.
AM:
What kind of equipment would you recommend someone about to adopt a hamster get
for their hamster's new home?
KB:
Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water, a food bowl that's heavy enough
that it won't tip over when a hamster is crawling on it, a wheel for exercise
and a "nest" where they can feel secure. Wheels aren't just toys. A hamster in
the wild can run several miles a night marking it's territory and looking for
food and the only way we can duplicate that in a confined space is a wheel. In
the wild hamsters live in burrows underground. For nesting a hamster needs a
place where it feels it can retreat from danger. A hamster without a nest will
feel insecure and nervous.
AM:
What are the life spans of dwarfs and Syrian hamsters?
KB:
Dwarfs usually live 2-4 years depending on breed, living conditions and genetic
disposition. Syrians live about 2-3 years.
AM:
What would you suggest someone look for when purchasing or adopting a hamster?
KB:
The most important things are the hamsters health and personality. The colour,
long hair and pretty eyes won't matter much if you have a sick hamster. Look for
clean and dry fur, especially around the butt of the hamster, stressed hamsters
can get Wet Tail, which is a deadly type of diarrhoea. Wet Tail can spread to
surrounding cages and it can be very difficult to sterilize an area after an
outbreak. Personality is very important, too. If you pick an outgoing hamster
that doesn't mind being held you're probably going to have a much easier time
taming and making friends with him or her.
AM:
Is there a reason to adopt a hamster(s) from a breeder rather than a pet store?
KB:
Professional breeders usually take great care in ensuring their hamsters are not
inbred. Inbreeding can result in many health and personality problems. Many pet
stores buy from these same breeders, although some may just let their hamsters
breed in the store leading to rampant inbreeding and hamsters with poor health.
Also, just because a person has lots of hamsters and sells them does not mean
they are a quality professional breeder. Don't forget to check your local
shelters, too. Animal shelters often have hamsters that need good homes.
AM:
Is the diet of the Syrian significantly different than that of a dwarf? I know,
for example, that giving dwarf hamsters fruit that may be high in sugar could be
problematic because dwarfs may be more likely to become diabetic.
KB:
Other than that, Syrians and dwarfs have similar diets.
AM:
What is "heat" exactly? It's related to nuts in some way isn't it or is it
related to other types of foods as well? And does "heat" affect a Syrian and
dwarf the same way?
KB:
Well, there are two types of "heat". "Heat" can be the term for when a female
hamster comes into season, but you are talking about the condition that affects
hamsters that eat too many fatty foods. That type of "heat" is usually caused by
an owner who wants to feed their hamster a treat, usually sunflower seeds, and
goes overboard. Too much oil, like that in sunflower seeds, can cause a
hamster's metabolism to speed up and cause them to lose hair. That's "heat" and
I've only seen it in dwarf hamsters.
AM:
Any last words, warnings, recommendations or other thoughts in general that
you'd like to share with someone who is interested in adopting a hamster?
KB:
Health and personality are the most important things in buying a new hamster,
buy the biggest home for your hamster you can, never put two Syrian hamsters
together, and play with your hamster as often as you can!
About the Author:
Interview with Ken Brocx, founder of
Hamsterific.com an authoritative website on hamsters and other small pets.
Andy Markison is an illustrator, graphic designer,
animal lover and pet owner living in Germany. His website,
http://www.zapgraphix.com/, sells fun and humorous pet related merchandise.
