Hamsters are a very common pet in most homes, especially those with children. The first thing you should know if you are asking how to choose a hamster is that there are many species of these, although the basic characteristics of their behavior and the care they require are always the same. Therefore you should not worry about it and you can choose the species of hamster that you like the most. All species are very sociable and not very aggressive so you should not worry about it.
The two most common species sold in pet stores are golden hamsters, also known as Syrian hamsters, and Russian hamsters. The former are very easily recognizable because the color of their fur is a very beautiful golden yellowish. On the other hand, Russian hamsters are the smallest variety of dwarf hamsters. They are also the most docile species of this type of rodent, which is why many families choose them as pets for their children. Another of the most appreciated species is the albino hamster and the black hamster, although these are more difficult to find and you may have to order it.
Apart from the question regarding the species, there are another series of aspects that you should pay attention to when choosing your pet. If you want to know how to choose a hamster, we will explain it to you below.
What do you need to choose a hamster?
• To cage
• Hamster food
• Toilet
• Sawdust
Instructions for choosing a hamster
1. The first thing you should do when you go to buy your hamster is to pay close attention to the physical appearance of the animals. In this way you should try to observe and analyze their health status. Hamsters are very active animals so they always move quite quickly and very agilely. For this reason they often seem somewhat nervous. You should also take a look at his fur, which should appear fluffy and should be even. If you see some bald spots, it may be a sign that the animal is sick, so you should not choose it. You should also pay close attention to their eyes and look for a hamster that has dark and bright eyes.
2. Any sign of weakness can indicate that we are dealing with a sick hamster. However, you must remember that hamsters are nocturnal animals, so if you go to buy your pet in the morning, the most normal thing is that most of them are sleeping. Therefore, it is better that you decide to acquire your hamster in the afternoon, at a time when these animals are already much more active.
3. As for choosing a male or a female, the choice is not too important. Some people think that females may be a little more suspicious than males at first, but these are just opinions. In addition, it is the same people who say that after a few months the females are as sociable as the males, they just need a little more time to get used to their new home.
4. Age is also another very important issue. Hamsters live, on average, about three years. It is a very short life expectancy so it is recommended that you acquire a very young hamster so that you can enjoy it for longer. You can tell a young hamster apart because his size will be smaller and his ears much more floppy. Likewise, his teeth will be whiter and sharper than those of an adult hamster.
Tips for choosing a hamster
• It is always a good idea to get more than one hamster. In this way, your pet will not be alone and will always have a playmate with whom to entertain it when you cannot pay attention to it. For this reason it is highly recommended to acquire two hamsters. Remember that these animals take up very little space and very little care, so twice as many pets will not require too much extra work and will make them happier and more content. However, you must be careful when selecting them since it is not suitable for them to be of different sexes since, then, they could breed and you would end up with a fairly extensive family of hamsters.