Buying a hamster is the first step to a happy human-hamster relationship. Here are some important considerations when choosing your new furry friend:
- Age – Select young hamsters between 4-8 weeks old for easier socialization. Avoid hamsters younger than 4 weeks that still need parental care.
- Breeding – Never purchase hamsters bred in pet stores. Seek out an ethical breeder or adopt from a shelter to avoid supporting unethical rodent mills.
- Health – Pick active, alert hamsters with bright eyes and glossy coats. Make sure they don’t show signs of wet tail, discharge, or mites.
- Behavior – Gently interact with hamsters before adopting. Select ones that are curious about you and not overly timid, skittish, or aggressive.
- Supplies – Purchase a properly sized habitat, bedding, wheel, hides, water bottle, dishes, and food before bringing the hamster home.
- Single Housing – Unless adopting same-sex dwarf pairs, only choose one hamster per habitat. Syrians must be housed alone.
- Vet Check – Schedule a check-up with an exotic vet within 1-2 weeks of getting a new hamster to confirm health.
- Quarantine – When bringing a new hamster into a home with existing pets, quarantine for 2 weeks and monitor closely for any illness.
Choosing the right hamster takes some consideration, but it leads to a happy human-hamster bond.
