As you know, there are several different types of hamster available to the pet owner, and each of them has their own little quirks and personalities. Choosing which hamster is the right one for you takes a little bit of careful thinking before making a final decision..

There are several factors to keep in mind before you commit to buying a hamster. Here are some of the most important ones:

• You must be prepared for the fact that hamsters don’t live very long. You can grow very attached to your new pet, and it will be difficult to see them go. With this in mind, try to buy a young hamster. Not only because you be able to spend more time with it, but also because younger hamsters are easier to tame.

• Knowing the sex of your hamster is important. Be sure the person you’re buying the hamster from is able to accurately determine the sex of the hamster you choose! If you do end up housing two hamsters together you’ll want to make sure they’re not male and female or you may end up with a several little surprises a couple weeks later!

• Although buying a hamster may not cost very much, owning a hamster can be a significant hit to your pocket book. The cage, bedding, food and possible veterinary bills all need to be taken into account. In addition to the monetary cost, keep in mind that owning a hamster will need some of your time too; cleaning the cage on a regular basis to avoid illness, and interaction time with your hamster are a must.

• Do you have other pets in your home? Cats and dogs may view your hamster as a mid-afternoon snack as opposed to a new member of the family. Extra care will need to be taken if you’re introducing your hamster to a home with existing pets.

• Don’t forget that hamsters are nocturnal, so most of their activity occurs at night. Disturbing the hamster during the day in order to play with him will only serve to annoy him, and you run the risk of getting your fingers bitten. Hamsters are quite energetic, so they’ll be doing a lot of scurrying around in their cage while you sleep. If you’re a light sleeper you’ll want to make sure you find a place that’s safe for your hamster and also allows you to catch a few winks.

• Do you suffer from fur allergies? Hamsters can be found in both the long hair and short hair variety, so the short haired hamster is the one for you.
  Wear gloves when handling your pet, and ask a friend or family member to clean out the cage for you. Just be prepared to buy them lunch to say thanks!

• As we mentioned earlier, there are several different breeds of hamsters, each with their own benefits to offer. For example, if you want to house more than one hamster together then you’ll want to look at the Campbell’s Dwarf Hamster; if you’re looking for entertainment value, the Roborovski Hamster is a hoot, but it’s also small and very fast, making it difficult to capture if it escapes. When making your choice, be sure to explain in detail what you’re looking for in a hamster, and make sure you’re talking to someone who can answer your questions with confidence.

• Hamsters are very popular with kids, but children often don’t realize how delicate hamsters can be. Any handling of hamsters by children should be supervised by an adult, as an improperly handled hamster can not only cause injury to the hamster, but nipped fingers on the child.

Whether you’re buying your hamster from a breeder or a pet store, make sure you drop by in the evening as the hamster will be snoozing during the day. Watch the hamster for a little while to get a feeling for his personality; you’re going to want a hamster that’s outgoing, energetic, and inquisitive.

You will naturally want to choose the cutest hamster of the lot, but make sure to keep an eye out for some of the physical signs of a healthy hamster. The first thing to check is the hamster’s eyes – they should be clear and bright. The hamster’s nose should be clean with no sign of discharge. Your hamster should not appear skinny – a plump hamster is a happy hamster!

Check for any lumps or bumps (with the exception of the hamster’s scent glands).

Finally, make sure the hamster’s fur is shiny and full. Hamsters are very clean creatures, so any sign of matted fur is a sign that something may be wrong with the hamster.

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