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My daughter, aged 9, wants a pet hamster and we are trying to decide which type of hamster would be most suitable. She loves animals and would want to handle the hamster. She also wants to keep the hamster in her bedroom (is this advisable? - she is not asthmatic) We have been researching and think maybe the RussXXX XXXXX dwarf hamster would be suitable as quite friendly but I am worried, re the size if it got away from her, abut finding it again. Which type of hamster would you recommend?

Submitted: 309 days and 3 hours ago.

Category: Pet

Value: $9

Status: CLOSED

Hi there. My personal view is that the larger, Syrian (or Teddy bear) hamsters make better children's pets. As they are larger, they are easier to handle, and from my experience a lot more friendly than the smaller Russian hamsters!
As far as keeping the hamster in the bedroom, the only problem i can see there, is that hamsters are nocturnal, so will be awake at night- this may keep your daughter awake, other than that, there would be no other issues to keeping the cage in the bedroom.

Andrea

Accepts:
Expert:	andrearoberts
Pos. Feedback:	100.0 %
Answered:	1/17/2009

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bvm&s mrcvs 15 years as a companion animal veterinarian

309 days ago.

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My only concern is that I read that Syrian hamster are more likely to bite and don't wont her "put off" by this and then be afraid to handle it again. Is this true? Are they more likely to bite?

Posted by andrearoberts 308 days and 22 hours ago.

Answer

No, they are no more likely to bite, especially if regularly handled from being brought home. If they are used to careful handling, they rarely bite.
Whatever you decide, i hope your daughter has great pleasure with her hamster!
Andrea

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My only concern is that I read that Syrian hamster are more likely to bite and don't wont her "put off" by this and then be afraid to handle it again. Is this true? Are they more likely to bite?

Answer

No, they are no more likely to bite, especially if regularly handled from being brought home. If they are used to careful handling, they rarely bite.
Whatever you decide, i hope your daughter has great pleasure with her hamster!
Andrea

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My only concern is that I read that Syrian hamster are more likely to bite and don't wont her "put off" by this and then be afraid to handle it again. Is this true? Are they more likely to bite?

Answer

No, they are no more likely to bite, especially if regularly handled from being brought home. If they are used to careful handling, they rarely bite.Whatever you decide, i hope your daughter has great pleasure with her hamster!Andrea

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No, they are no more likely to bite, especially if regularly handled from being brought home. If they are used to careful handling, they rarely bite.
Whatever you decide, i hope your daughter has great pleasure with her hamster!
Andrea