Syrian Hammie vs Dwarf HAmmie?

[HamWannabe]

Which one is the better of the two for a pet. Im looking for a Loyal Hamster that likes to be played with and that doesnt bite and is friendly. Which one is better a syrian or a a pair of dwarf hamsters? Do they smell? :hamster3:

[Chaos]

Both are great pets. Owning both syrians and dwarves though I'd have to say I prefer my syrians. They seem to be sweeter and tamer. None of my syrians bite but one of my two dwarves does. Though the other is very tame and never does. Dwarves, especially females are known to be territorial about their cage but good outside of it. The dwarves always seem to be on the go but one of my syr's will sit on my shoulder sometimes and watch TV. If you've never had a hamster before, I suggest a syrian because they're larger and hardier. But the dwarves are fun to watch and great little pets, maybe a bit less "hands on" from my experience.

Hamsters should hardly smell at all if you clean the cage frequently, about once a week. And if you use the right bedding, (aspen, carefresh and carefresh untra are the best) you shouldn't notice even much of a smell, but the little bit that there is my dwarves smell less than my syrians. NEVER use pine or cedar, which release harmful phenols and can cause respiratory illness.

But don't forget, hamsters arn't toys. They're not always going to do what you want, or want to play or stay still. They're curious little animals that love to explore.

[HamWannabe]

Thanks for your help i have 2 leapord geckos and fish actually think bout getting pirranhas, but im interested in getting a small animal from the rodent family

[yodelinghamster]

I'd like dwarves more than syrians, but based on what you said a syrian would make a better pet for you. (unless you can pick out dwaves like I do lol) Most people say dwaves are nippy, I say it all depends... When they, if they do nip I heard it doesn't hurt. But it is easier to get a freindly syrian....

[Jiffykat]

Oh hurts like b*tch when Snowbell bites. I have only had a dwarf, she is nice when she wants to be. I want to get a Syrian, they sound like they would suit you better.

[HamWannabe]

k thanks for your help

[HamWannabe]

O yea what kind do you guys think will be the best a female or male? Do they have different qualities?

[lilforjc]

I'll chime in here...we have 2 male syrians who are adorable...both are sweet never have bit us but one likes to be held and the other doesn't.

[abcgerbils]

I have dwarf hamsters. I drove a long way to get two girls from a line that was super sweet and friendly. They never, ever nip or bite anyone and when I tap on the tank they scramble up to the top of their housing structure to come out and play. I would get make sure to get dwarf hamsters from a breeder (not a petstore - too many are not breed carefully and are not socialized to people at a young age) and "meet the parents". If the mom & dad are friendly the babies should be too.

The advantage to dwarf hamsters is that they are awake in the day a lot, wake up easily when you invite them to play, and their tank doesn't smell much or need to be cleaned out often. I've been told you have to hold them just about every day to keep them tamed (which I do, just in case).

If you are more of a night owl and don't mind the smell and cage cleaning of a syrian, people tell me they are very affectionate, cuddly and not so quick and busy as the dwarfs.

(since you didn't ask about gerbils...I won't go there - but you might have guessed they are my personal favorites).

[HamWannabe]

I was going to get gerbils, but then my mom said they look like mice LOL