I'm 12 and getting my first hammy. What's the best type of hammy for me and what good names are there. Also any top tips to give out

I haven't had hamsters that long, but from the obsessive research I have done over the last few months, I think Syrian hamsters are the best for a first timer because there is a lot of information how to look after them (the books seem to primarily focus on them rather than dwarfs.) Syrians need a bigger cage than dwarfs so it is vital you can afford a bigger enclosure for it. Syrians must be kept on their own (you probably knew this anyway!) Syrians also come in a wide variety of colours, dwarfs have very few.

Dwarfs are faster, and don't really like being handled clumsily so may nip, and also pet shops lump Winter Whites in with Campbells dwarfs calling them Russian Dwarves and from my experience they are completely different in personality and are actually 2 different species of hamster. My WW is as docile as they come, my Campbell can be quite nippy if you put your hand in her cage. Also with dwarfs you have to be able to separate them if fighting occurs, as with humans not every hamster will like the other one, so an emergency cage will be needed if you decide to get more than 1. Mine didn't get on at all so I had to quickly remove them when I realised they were having a full blown fight, they may be okay for weeks but then fight. Mine were together for about 5 weeks and then they turned on each other! But thats not to say that they are completely ruled out, I just think they take more work than Syrians.

I'd advise not going to P@H because there are many horror stories about them. I was in there today and they had 3 Syrians in the same cage that was absolutely tiny. I wanted to save one but my new cage hasn't arrived yet!

Hope this helps you somehow!

Char
xxx

I have had Syrian hamsters and they are fab also my children have had them as a first pet.Like the other poster said there are all sorts of colours and also long haired ones.

I would have a Syrian as a first hammie as they are much bigger and easier to handle. I think this is what everyone will say!

Good Luck with your search! x

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Felix
Wish You Were Here

Agreed they are also called Teddy Bear Hamsters for the way they look

Deffinatly get a syrian hamster as they are slower and easier to catch (believe me once a dwarf is on the floor it's a nightmare to catch syrians are really easy to hold). I would surgest getting a male hamster because they tend to bite less.
You will need a basic cage set up which is:

A cage (largest you can afford),
bowl,
water bottle,
food,
sawdust,
bedding,
toys.
and an excersise wheel (get a silent spinner or a flying saucer or it will keep you up at night).

Hamsters like cardboard part of toilet rolls to chew. You can also get them an excersise ball to play with outside the cage. They always need something wooden to chew on or their teeth get too long which is dangerous to their health.

glad your getting a hamster! i love my syrians ...males are ment to be nicer, but i have a girl and a boy, and the girl is tamer! I got mine from pets at home, and ive had no trouble with the hammys from there hmmmi wouldnt get a cage from there, since they are really small though. I love the name Rolly/Rollo....not sure why. You cant go wrong with naming your pets after food. lol
Good Luck!

Have a little look on your local freecycle (yahoo group) or ebay for a cage.

I have a dwarf called Rolo!! Because...he is caramel coloured!!

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Felix
Wish You Were Here

Names :

Star
Jet
Gary
Jed
Hammie
benvolia
Sullivan
Minty
Villie

I posted the stuff you need & to do on your other thread Xx

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thnaks guys. my friend used to have a hamster and he doesnt any more. he had a cage and was wondering if it would be big enough or the hamster would like a new one. its in good condition. what is the size a syrian hammie needs for a cage.