A bullied hamster may withdraw, lose or gain weight, and stop playing with the other hamster or with you. Also, he can become aggressive towards you if you hold or touch him.

Why are my hamsters fighting?

Hamsters struggle to survive in the wild every day. Since they are very small, they are eaten with pleasure. One of the most important behaviors is therefore the flight instinct.

How do you gain a hamster’s trust?

1. Approach the cage calmly and quietly, avoiding jerky movements.
2. Talk to the hamster in a low voice to draw his attention to you. You should get into the habit of speaking to him whenever you are changing food or entering the hamster’s sanctuary for any other reason. This way, the hamster won’t be startled, because he’ll know from the sound that it’s you.
3. Don’t stress the hamster by reaching into the cage. Quick or jerky hand movements cause unnecessary stress and are easily avoided.
4. If you want to fill up or clean the bowls, do not try to pet your hamster at the same time.

When is hamster mating season?

Hamsters are usually sexually mature at four to seven weeks. The female is then in reproductive mood for about ten hours every four to five days. In the wild, the males run from burrow to burrow from March to November, checking which female hamster is ready to mate.

How do hamsters show affection?

Your hamster might get shy and jump off your hands while they’re still in the cage – just let him. If he seems agitated, calm him down with a treat and/or by patting his back. Talking to him gently might also calm him down.

Is it a good sign when hamsters groom themselves?

Hamster digs in the litter, takes a sand bath and cleans itself. A good sign – your hamster is comfortable. If he bathes in the cage litter or in the sand with relish and then cleans himself a little, he is balanced and relaxed.

Can a hamster get bored?

Hamsters are loners. Therefore, the first step to a happy hamster life is to set up your own home in a species-appropriate way. If your own living space is designed in a varied and natural way, boredom does not set in so quickly.

Can a hamster cry?

It’s the same with the hamster, except that it can’t cry or verbally protest and therefore likes to pinch.

Can hamsters listen to the name?

The best way to train young hamsters is to talk to him a lot, he will start to listen to your voice. Call him by his name and he will respond very soon. The first lesson is that he goes by his name.

Why is my hamster biting me?

Normally, hamsters are not snappy – the animals bite when they feel threatened or are stressed. For example, if they are woken up too early or disturbed while cleaning, are ill or want to defend their nest.

When do hamsters bite?

In addition to the psychological stress, there can also be physical reasons why the hamster bites. If your hamster does not normally bite, you should definitely check with your veterinarian to see if your hamster is in pain or has an illness.

Can hamsters become aggressive?

Aggressive behavior can have a variety of causes. Young hamsters that have had very little contact with humans quickly feel threatened. Older hamsters, on the other hand, may have had bad experiences and then react suspiciously.

Can you play with a hamster?

In addition to climbing, running and exploring, hamsters also like to play. Their preferences are completely different. Basically, wooden toys are particularly suitable. It should correspond to the size of the animal and be suitable for hamsters or mice.

How much activity does a hamster need?

Play with the hamster every day to keep it happy. Hamsters are not social animals. They are often loners and therefore do not need another hamster in the cage. Hamsters are nocturnal.

What’s not good for hamsters?

These include cabbage, leeks and onions. Difficult to digest are: beans, peas, rhubarb, sorrel, spinach. Raw potatoes are even poisonous to the hamster. However, you can feed boiled potatoes without any problems.

What do hamsters do at night?

As nocturnal animals that love solitude but have an enormous urge to move, hamsters need a spacious cage. At night, the hamster wants to climb, dig, dig tunnels and look for food – in nature it covers incredible distances.

How much attention does a hamster need?

Move with extreme caution in rooms where the hamster roams freely. When the animal is awake, engage with it as much as possible; this is the only way it can become tame! If you can’t give your hamster that much attention, he won’t take it amiss.

When do hamsters squeak?

Hamsters like to talk to themselves, for example when looking for tasty food or when building a nest. However, increased and insistent whistling can also indicate pain – in this case, watch your rodent very closely.

Does a hamster have feelings?

Like most small mammals, the hamster largely lacks a pronounced vocal and body language to express joy, sadness, satisfaction or frustration – if one can assume these feelings in him at all.

What is the Tame Hamster Breed?

Taming the hamster takes a great deal of patience. In addition, not all hamster species are 100% hand tame. You have the best chances with a gold or teddy hamster. These two breeds are generally considered trusting.

How to make a hamster lose weight

In addition, you can introduce 1-2 grass seed days per week where you only give your hamster grass seed instead of the normal grain mix. If your dwarf hamster likes to eat fresh food, you can increase the amount a little. Cucumber is especially good for losing weight.

What should hamsters absolutely not eat?

• Legumes such as lentils, peas or beans.
• Potatoes.
• Clover.
• Different types of cabbage such as white cabbage or red cabbage and Brussels sprouts.
• Aubergine.
• Avocado.
• Allium plants such as leeks, garlic, onions.
• Papaya.

Can you give hamsters cheese?

You can even serve cheese to hamsters. But preferably not particularly fatty varieties – mozzarella, for example, is suitable. Vitamins are just as important for the little rascals as for humans.

Can hamsters get overweight?

As with humans, hamsters can also be underweight or overweight. Underweight is usually an indication of a serious illness that should definitely be examined and treated by a doctor. Obesity, on the other hand, is usually caused by the wrong diet.

Do hamsters get fatter in winter?

In dwarf hamsters, this phase usually occurs a little later, i.e. at colder temperatures. Djungarians and some hybrids also have the ability to protect themselves from cold temperatures. In winter they form a thick, dense and white winter coat that protects them from predators in the snow.

How much does a real hamster cost?

The cost of an animal is usually between $15 and $30 depending on the hamster species. Nevertheless, you should know that although the acquisition costs for a hamster are low, the initial equipment from the cage to the bedding and play facilities can be expensive in some cases.

Why does my hamster smell so bad?

There is spoiled food in the pen: spoiled food can smell incredibly bad. Apart from that, germs and bacteria can develop from it, making the hamster sick. It is therefore important that you remove the old food, clean the food and water bowls and add new food every day.

How well do hamsters see in the dark?

Hamsters can see in the dark, but not very well. Hamsters generally have very poor eyesight and can probably see best at dusk. Despite their poor vision, hamsters do well in the dark. They can hear and smell extremely well.

When does a hamster go to sleep?

How long do hamsters sleep a day? Unfortunately, this is difficult to say because, like us humans, every hamster has a different need for sleep. Some can get by with less, while others need a lot more. But usually they sleep from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. in the evening.

What bothers hamsters?

Hamsters are sensitive and easily stressed animals. Restlessness, loud noises or temperature fluctuations are very annoying and lead to irregular sleep-wake cycles. Even the life expectancy of the rodent can be reduced by too much stress.

Can hamsters listen to loud music?

Loud music and screaming children make hamsters difficult. Rodents are therefore better off with adults.

Is a hamster smart?

So the sooner and the more you spoil your hamster, the smarter and fitter he will become. Because a clever head actually ensures a longer life and more robust health – at least in the case of the hamsters researched by the US biologists.

How much should a teddy hamster weigh?

The teddy hamster can grow between 12-18cm and weighs 80-190g depending on its size. If kept well at home, the animals can live up to three years.

How fast do hamsters gain weight?

It can take 3 to 5 days for the little rodent to take the food from his hand. Of course, there can also be regression here, not every day is the same. Step 3 means a big step for the hamster and requires a lot of trust from the animal.

How much can a hamster weigh?

85 – 150 g

How many carrots can a hamster eat?

A small amount of carrots is also good for the hamster’s teeth. Regular chewing wears down the teeth well. Failure to do this can cause serious problems for the hamster as its teeth will continue to grow throughout its life.

Is lettuce good for hamsters?

Yes, hamsters can eat lettuce.

Iceberg lettuce, lamb’s lettuce and lettuce may be fed to hamsters.

How many apples can a hamster eat?

How many apples can my hamster eat? A few small pieces of apple, 1-2 times a week is ideal. In this way, your animal can benefit from the positive aspects of the apple. Your animal gets variety and a whole new taste experience.

Can you give hamsters bananas?

Since they contain a lot of sugar, you shouldn’t give your hamster more than a small spoonful. The blend of fiber, magnesium, potassium, and vitamins B and C make bananas a healthy treat and promote good heart health.

Can hamsters eat bread?

Hamsters are allowed to eat regular bread in small amounts. If additives are included, such as garlic, olives, etc., the bread should not be fed. But normal bread should also be fed with caution. While bread isn’t toxic, it’s not very healthy for hamsters.

Can hamsters eat carrots?

Vegetables are an important part of hamster food. Hamsters like the following types of vegetables: Carrots. Paprika.

What can I feed my hamster?

A varied mix of fruit and vegetables, dandelion and dried or fresh herbs is a real treat for hamsters. Fresh food should make up about 30 to 40 percent of the daily diet as it provides the hamster with vitamins and minerals.

How heavy is a Djungarian hamster?

30 g

How long does it take for a hamster to starve?

The prerequisite is that the animal is healthy and has enough food. Munich (dpa / tmn) – If necessary, hamsters can get by for a day or two without a keeper. The prerequisite is that the animal is healthy and has enough food. Dry food is better than fresh because it spoils quickly.

Can a hamster get cold?

Hamsters cannot sweat and therefore have difficulty regulating their temperature balance. Temperatures above 25° C are particularly problematic for dwarf hamsters, while golden hamsters can fall into a life-threatening hibernation if the temperatures are too low.

Hamsters are among the most popular pets. Usually bought as a first animal so that children can learn responsibility and become familiar with the world of animals. However, many people forget the true nature of hamsters and their specific needs as a distinct species. How do you actually care for hamsters? Are they suitable for a few years old children?

Hamster races

There are a number of hamster breeds, the breeds recommended for apartments are Syrian hamsters and dwarf hamsters including:

• Djungarian hamster
• Chinese dwarf hamster
• Manchurian hamster
• Robrowski hamster

Syrian hamsters are the largest of the native hamsters and also the calmest. They reach a body weight of up to 150 g and a length of up to 20 cm. Available in a wide range of colors and different hair types, from short hair to curly to long hair.

Dwarf hamsters are much smaller, their body weight should not exceed 50 g. Their body length is about 10 cm. The smallest is the Roborowski hamster, which is only 5 cm long.

Regardless of the breed, hamsters are very sensitive and delicate animals. Be careful not to get trampled on them. It is very easy to hurt the hamsters. Before deciding on a hamster, it is worth looking for a good vet who specializes in treating small mammals.

The price of a hamster depends on the region, but above all on the species. The cheapest hamsters cost maybe a dozen PLN, more expensive animals up to 100 PLN. Added to this are the costs of purchasing all the equipment and products that are necessary for the well-being of the hamsters. When buying a hamster, you should also pay attention to the quality of the store or place that sells it. Poorly behaved hamsters are more likely to get sick, especially from a genetic point of view, they may also be predisposed to certain diseases.

The nature of hamsters – what are hamsters like?

Hamsters are very independent animals. Their cute looks can be confusing because they are really brave mammals. They lead a nocturnal life and discharge their energy as soon as it gets dark. They are interested in everything and lively, they like to explore new places, run and dig a lot. Yes, hamsters love to dig. All this makes the hamsters quite noisy at night. On the other hand, they need a lot of rest and relaxation during the day, mostly sleeping and only waking up every now and then to eat.

The hamsters live two to four years. Over time they will get used to human contact, but they are not typical cuddly pets. Rather, they avoid hugs and kisses and only tolerate holding hands or being together. When you bond with a hamster, they will be happy to ask for treats and be petted. Like all animals, hamsters experience emotions, such as fear. They may present their fears through soft hissing or nervous bragging.

It is important not to forget that a hamster is an individualist and a loner. You can only keep one hamster in a cage. For them, trying to team up with a few animals in a cage comes with a huge rudder and aggression. It doesn’t matter what gender the hamsters are or even the size of the cage, the hamsters can injure themselves or bite themselves if left unattended!

Hamster cage

Despite their small size, hamsters need a relatively large area for a happy life. These small mammals can run up to 9km a day! The bigger cage is the better. However, the width of the bars must be taken into account, the hamster must not get through them. The optimal width is about 0.5 cm. For dwarf hamsters the minimum cage size is 60×40 cm, for larger Syrian hamsters the cage size should not be less than 80×50 cm. The height of the hamster cage is not that important, they are not high-flying animals, and falling from a height can cause serious injury. However, before buying a cage, it is worth considering that the litter in the bowl should reach even 15 cm. If you decide to have an aquarium or terrarium, you cannot cover it with glass. The hamster needs good circulation and access to fresh air.

The hamster cage should be in a quiet place, away from drafts or excessive sunlight.

In a hamster cage, equipment is very important. Hamsters are lively and inquisitive animals, so all kinds of accessories and gadgets are welcome. The basic equipment of the hamster cage is a bowl, a drinker, a house. With additional accessories, you can opt for a roller, toys, tunnels, sand bath bowls.

Hamster litter

it should be gentle on the paws, with no splinters or sharp parts. A natural, preferably wooden, liner that absorbs odors well and is not too dusty. Pellets are not suitable as a substrate for a hamster cage. In one part of the cage you can mix hamster litter with hay to make it more attractive.. Remember that hamsters love to dig tunnels, so don’t skimp on the litter. The recommended height should reach 15 cm and more. Replace hamster litter regularly as needed, but about every 2 months, and wash and disinfect the cage thoroughly. It is recommended to wash the gadgets and toys about every six months.

Hamster roll

is a very popular toy and the animals like to use it. The role should be chosen well, because a poorly chosen role can lead to spinal curvature, walking problems or damage to hamster legs. The smallest diameter of the roller is 20 cm and this applies to dwarf hamsters, for Syrian and other larger hamsters the minimum roller size is 28 cm. Plastic or wooden rollers are available. The quietest type are wooden rollers, but you should keep them clean. The most important thing is that the selected roll has no gaps, that the front part is not blocked, rolls with a scissor mechanism are also not suitable here. Only a full, recessed treadmill guarantees safety for the hamster, and the lack of frontal structure will not allow the hamster to get stuck or crushed.

Houses and toys

The hamsters love all kinds of variety in their cage. They treat the house as a shelter and often build a nest there. It is best if the house does not have a built-in floor, then the hamsters can rummage through and decorate the house to their liking. The house should be easy to clean. The most recommended are plastic or wooden houses, which allow hamsters to bite and immediately grind their teeth.

A large part of the accessories for the hamster cage can be made by yourself. With paper rolls, coconuts, disinfected egg wrappers, etc. It is also a good idea to put strips of paper and cardboard in the cage. Remember that hamsters like to bite anything, so it’s good if the equipment is safe for your pet.

A special exercise ball for the hamster is popular among toys. However, they are not adapted to the needs of hamsters – it is very noisy, stuffy and hot in them. The hamsters don’t really know what to do with them and usually try to run around blindly in them. Such toys are also dangerous and can be fatal if a hamster falls off the stairs, for example.

Even the best prepared hamster cage will likely not do. At least once every few days and preferably every day, it is recommended to release the hamster into the secured area. The best solution would be playpens with narrow bars between them so that the hamster cannot squeeze through. You can try to build such a catwalk yourself, or you can carefully separate the space and let your pet in there. Then all crevices, cables and holes must be secured so that he cannot escape.

What do hamsters eat?

There are many types of ready-made hamster food. The diet should be based on good quality complete feed with the addition of complementary or natural and fresh products. The hamster’s diet should consist mainly of dried herbs, grasses and flowers, grains, fruit and vegetables. Administration of wheat is not recommended. Nuts and oilseeds should only make up a small proportion of the mix. The hamsters must be given dried animal protein in the form of crickets or flour beetles once or twice a week. This allows the hamster to develop and function properly. Carrots, cucumbers and apples, sunflower seeds can be served from time to time. It’s also a good idea to give the hamsters fresh plants – sow thistle or clover.

Like other mammals, hamsters will not survive long without food and water. Fresh drinking water should always be easily accessible. The hamsters don’t eat much for a day, so if we put enough food in their bowls and also spill some over the cage and hide it in toys for example, they will be fine for two days. Then you should pour a lot more water into the drinking trough or even install two drinking troughs. Water is essential to life, and dehydration is fatal.

Hamsters are not demanding animals. They take great care of their own cleanliness, you don’t have to comb them, and you’re not even allowed to wash them. You need a lot of understanding and patience, gentle handling of people. Regular cleaning of the cage, observation of animal life and understanding of the other, more delicate creature – this is what children can certainly learn from hamsters.

How do you gain a hamster’s trust?

• Approach the cage calmly and quietly, avoiding jerky movements.
• Talk to the hamster in a low voice to draw his attention to you.
• Don’t stress the hamster by reaching into the cage.

What do hamsters not like at all?

These include cabbage, leeks, and onions. Difficult to digest are: beans, peas, rhubarb, sorrel, spinach. Raw potatoes are even poisonous to the hamster. However, you can feed boiled potatoes without any problems.

How can I show my hamster I love him?

First, start by gently offering the hamster a treat with your fingertips. If the hamster accepts this well, you can put it on your fingertips and gradually put it on your hand. Some hamsters connect their hand to food very quickly in this way.

What does a hamster checklist need?

• Terrarium or hamster home.
• litter.
• toilet with sand.
• sleeping cottage.
• Special hamster cotton.
• Wheel.
• climbing toy.
• outlet.

What do hamsters like best?

Very popular are small pieces of fresh peppers, apples, cucumbers or carrots, raisins, rose hips, thistles and some animal protein such as cottage cheese, a dried cricket or a mealworm two to three times a week.

Where do hamsters go to the toilet?

In the wild, hamsters dig underground burrows with various chambers used as a nest, for supplies, or as a toilet. Hamsters also choose a spot in their cage where they do their business.

What is the best way for hamsters to drink?

As original desert dwellers, dwarf hamsters drink very little or nothing at all. Their fluid requirement is so low that it is often covered by fresh food. Nevertheless, your dwarf hamster should of course always have fresh water available. Tap water is best.

Why does my hamster smell so bad?

There is spoiled food in the pen: spoiled food can smell incredibly bad. Apart from that, germs and bacteria can develop from it, making the hamster sick. It is therefore important that you remove the old food, clean the food and water bowls and add new food every day.

How often do you have to change the hamster litter?

If the hamster urinates everywhere in the cage, you should replace the soiled parts of the litter once a week. The hamster spreads its droppings all over the territory. However, the droppings are very dry and do not need to be removed.

Why is my hamster biting the cage?

Chewing on the bars can have many causes: In most cases it is simply boredom in a cage that is too small and often does not have enough toys and digging options. A larger cage with many digging and play options should be purchased.

Is straw good for hamsters?

If a hamster likes to dig and dig tunnels, you can also mix hay or straw with the bedding to make the tunnels and tunnels more stable and durable.

Is hay good for hamsters?

Hamsters love hay because they can hide very well in it. This natural material is also ideal for building nests and the hamsters can even eat the hay.

When do hamsters bite?

In addition to the psychological stress, there can also be physical reasons why the hamster bites. If your hamster does not normally bite, you should definitely check with your veterinarian to see if your hamster is in pain or has an illness.

Where do hamsters like to be petted most?

We stroke his back or his hind legs. He gets small eyes from it (just before he falls asleep) and stays still.

How to play with a hamster

In addition to climbing, running and exploring, hamsters also like to play. Their preferences are completely different. Basically, wooden toys are particularly suitable. It should correspond to the size of the animal and be suitable for hamsters or mice.

How many carrots can a hamster eat?

A small amount of carrots is also good for the hamster’s teeth. Regular chewing wears down the teeth well. Failure to do this can cause serious problems for the hamster as its teeth will continue to grow throughout its life.

Dwarf hamsters are low-maintenance pets that are easy to watch. They are very active and curious. However, they are not suitable for cuddling. Here you will find an overview of the most popular dwarf hamster species.

Hamsters are one of the most common pets today. With their black beady eyes they are just too cute. In addition, hamsters are considered to be easy to care for and are particularly popular in households with children. But the truth is: Hardly anyone can really meet the species-specific needs of a hamster.

The truth about hamster husbandry

Despite its small size, the hamster is a demanding pet. Only those who know and accept their demands can keep a hamster in a species-appropriate manner. The following points must be observed for all hamster species.

1. Hamsters are nocturnal

Hamsters are nocturnal animals and need plenty of rest and sleep during the day. If they are disturbed, they can become quite grumpy and even take a bite out of the unpleasant disturbance!

2. Hamsters are not stuffed animals

Hamsters can easily do without human contact. Anyone who approaches them quickly and hectically makes them very nervous. Not exactly the perfect companions for small, boisterous children who want to play and cuddle their hamster when they come home from kindergarten and school in broad daylight. When they then go to bed, the hamster really gets going.

3. Hamsters need lots of exercise

Hamsters are very lively fellows. They need a lot of exercise and run, dig and dig as much as they can. A large, varied cage or a terrarium with several floors and deep bedding is therefore a must for keeping the tiny creature!

But even a large cage alone is not enough. The hamster should also be given a well-secured, risk-free free run so that it can meet its strong need to run.

4. Hamsters live dangerously

Nothing is safe from the free-roaming hamster. Better keep wooden furniture and electric cables safe. On the other hand, the lively hamster is so small that even small cracks and low heights can become a life-threatening danger for him. Only if you secure everything can the hamster enjoy its free run.

5. Hamsters are loners

Many a keeper has the idea of putting a fellow hamster in the cage. Well intentioned, but wrongly acted: Because hamsters are absolute loners. Putting them together with other conspecifics or even with other animal species is not a good idea at all! Because they react aggressively and can even hurt each other.

6. Hamsters don’t live long

A hamster does not live very long at 1.5 to 3 years. All species have such a short life expectancy. So if you are not good at dealing with losses, you are not well advised to keep a hamster as a pet. It can be very stressful, especially for children, to lose the hamster they love so quickly.

So if you want to keep a hamster as a pet, you should think twice about it. However, if you are still convinced that you can give your hamster a species-appropriate life, then here are the most popular hamster breeds with all their special features.

Keeping dwarf hamsters

Dwarf hamsters are active and curious animals. That’s why it’s a lot of fun to watch the lively rodents. They are active at dusk and prefer to spend the days and nights in underground burrows. Although they are relatively easy to care for and look overly cute with their big button eyes, they are not suitable as pets for children. However, older and responsible children who are careful with the hamsters can take good care of such an animal.

Dwarf hamsters differ from hamsters in terms of housing in that cages with bars are not suitable for them. Here the little bullies could quickly escape between the bars. One misconception is that dwarfs need less space than golden hamsters, for example, because they are smaller. Since a safe free run can hardly be guaranteed for the small hamsters, they need a large cage in order to be able to meet their high urge to move.

The cage for your dwarf hamster needs to be at least 100 x 50 x 50 cm with a 20 cm deep layer of bedding for digging. A bigger cage is always better, of course. The most important thing for the perfect dwarf hamster cage are enough hiding places. You can also set up cork tunnels, cardboard tubes and wooden dormitories. Employment opportunities such as gnawable branches are also important. Your dwarf hamsters need a sand bath for grooming, which is best filled with chinchilla sand. The sand bath as well as bowls and drinking troughs should be set up higher. In addition, all accessories must be secured against tipping over. You can find more information about the perfect hamster cage here.

We cannot recommend letting the dwarf hamster run free in the room, as it can quickly get lost. Once he’s tamed, you can take him out of his cage and let him run around in a limited space. Be sure to keep an eye on your hamster and make sure that he cannot fall off raised surfaces.

Djungarian hamster

The Djungarian hamster is probably the most well-known type of dwarf hamster. However, little research has been done on it so far. In nature, it is mainly distributed in Siberia and Kazakhstan, where it lives in barren steppe areas. It is usually greyish in color and has a distinctive dorsal stripe on its back. In winter, however, it changes its coat color to white, which indicates that it does not hibernate. Although some Djungarian hamsters get along in groups for a short time, like most hamster species they are more of a loner. We would recommend that you keep them alone, otherwise fights between the hamsters can occur.

With a body length of 10 centimeters and a weight of approx. 50 grams, the Djungarian hamster is a representative of the dwarf hamsters. You can recognize it by its grey-brown color and white belly. The back is adorned with a distinctive black dorsal stripe from head to tail. Compared to other hamsters, the Djungarian has a very rounded body shape, very small ears and a short tail.

The Djungarian hamster is an extremely trusting dwarf hamster. He has an inquisitive and friendly nature. And even at an advanced age, he can still become tame. This makes him one of the most popular pet hamsters. With a life expectancy of up to 3 years, it will delight its owner for a comparatively long time.

Campbell’s dwarf hamster

The Campbell’s dwarf hamster is a subspecies of the Djungarian hamster. In fact, it is so closely related to the Djungarians that it is frequently crossbred with them, which is why many of the dwarf hamsters kept as pets are hybrids. In the wild, it lives in grasslands, semi-deserts and deserts. However, he likes firmer ground than, for example, the Roborowski. The Campbell reproduces from April to October and does not overwinter. Its diet consists mainly of seeds and occasionally insects. You can feed your hamster mixed grains and fresh fruits and vegetables.

The Campbell’s dwarf hamster is a very close relative of the Djungarian hamster and looks confusingly like it. On closer inspection, however, the Campbell’s hamster’s fur is a bit browner and the dorsal streak isn’t quite as dark as that of the Djungarian.

Hamsters are actually loners and only tolerate each other during the mating season. Not so the Campbell dwarf hamster: In nature, it lives monogamously. The male stays with the female and offspring for life.

The reason for this is its distribution area in nature, in which the thermometer can sometimes show temperatures below 30 degrees minus and only rarely exceed 15 degrees plus. Living together protects the dwarf hamster from cooling down. In this respect, Campbell hamsters are not strict loners and can also be kept in groups if the animals get along and have enough space available.

Roborovski dwarf hamster

Although the Roborowski dwarf hamster is the smallest of the hamsters, it has a large distribution area in nature. This covers much of the Gobi desert where it prefers sandy deserts and semi-deserts. He prefers to build his caves between sand dunes. The Roborowski does not hibernate and reproduces from March to September. The Roborovsky dwarf is sandy in color with a white snout and belly.

The Roborowski dwarf hamster is a real tiny creature. With a body length of six centimeters and a body weight of 20 grams, it is the smallest representative of the dwarf hamsters and even the smallest hamster in the world! This requires special housing conditions. Freewheeling in the apartment is very dangerous for this dwarf. At best, you can reserve an area in the apartment for the hamster, secure it with plexiglass and set it up in a varied way.

If this is not possible, then you must ensure that its terrarium (it is too small for a cage with bars and can escape!) is sufficiently large and varied so that the Roborowski hamster can sufficiently satisfy its urge to move.

Because he is very active, not only at night but also in the morning. In general, the Roborowski is considered shy, but also peaceful. In individual cases, it can also be kept together with a conspecific. The Roborowski dwarf hamster is by no means suitable for children and beginners. He is too demanding in posture.

Chinese striped hamster

The Chinese striped hamster prefers to live in forest steppes and semi-deserts. In contrast to the other hamsters mentioned here, this small dwarf hamster has a longer tail of about 2-3 cm, which is why it looks a bit like a mouse. In the wild, these hamsters live in groups of four or five in their underground burrows. They feed on grains and legumes. This dwarf hamster species hibernates and only becomes active again in February and March. The Chinese striped hamster is still quite rare as a pet.

Goldhamster

Measuring 13 to 18 centimeters and weighing 110 to 170 grams, the golden hamster is the heavyweight among pet hamsters. With its life expectancy of up to 3 years, it will delight its owner for a comparatively long time. The golden hamster comes in a wide variety of colors and fur structures. The red-brown coloring with black and white piebalds is classic. Golden hamsters have large, black, protruding beady eyes and a small stubby tail about one centimeter long.

Golden hamsters are strict loners! If they are not ready to mate, each conspecific will be driven out of their own territory – this often leads to aggressive fights. The nature of the golden hamster still contains a lot of its wild relative, the Syrian golden hamster. Therefore, the golden hamster is very skittish and not very trusting.

Teddy hamster

The teddy hamster is a variant of the golden hamster. His long fur and his tousled hairstyle have earned him his name. The fur of the teddy hamster requires a lot of care because it grows throughout its life and gets even longer in males than in females. Keeping teddy hamsters is not recommended for beginners. This also applies to its long-haired fellow hamster, the Angora hamster.

The teddy hamster is a very good-natured hamster. He quickly becomes tame and seeks contact with humans. With a size of 12 to 16 cm, it is one of the larger hamsters kept at home and will please people for around 1.5 to 2 years if kept in a species-appropriate manner.

What types of dwarf hamsters are there?

There are different types of dwarf hamsters. In pet keeping, however, only four types of dwarf hamsters are usually found, namely the Djungarian hamster, the Campbell dwarf hamster, the Roborowski dwarf hamster and the Chinese striped hamster.

How many species of dwarf hamster are there?

There are 20 different types of dwarf hamsters. However, four species are most commonly kept as pets: the Roborovsky hamster, the Djungarian hamster, the Campbell’s hamster and the Chinese striped hamster.

What is the tamest hamster species?

The teddy hamster is a very good-natured hamster. He quickly becomes tame and seeks contact with humans. With a size of 12 to 16 cm, it is one of the larger hamsters kept at home and will please people for around 1.5 to 2 years if kept in a species-appropriate manner.

When do hamsters bite?

In addition to the psychological stress, there can also be physical reasons why the hamster bites. If your hamster does not normally bite, you should definitely check with your veterinarian to see if your hamster is in pain or has an illness.

Which hamsters are also diurnal?

The golden hamster is more suitable for children because it can also be active during the day. It’s also easy to tame.

Do dwarf hamsters become tame?

The animal will change its behavior over time, get used to you and eventually gain enough courage to climb onto your hand on its own. If you want to tame your hamster, you usually don’t need a lot of patience.