Are hamsters fun and social?

Question

My first two hamsters were a dud and didn't like to be held

Will introducing my smell/hand first help?

Also do hamsters from PetSmart die faster?

Answer 1

My hamster right now is very fun and social, he always come sout to see me to say hello, unless it is the day.

and he loves to just sit in my hand and be held, not run all over the place.

he also lets anyone else hold him, and give him affection.

but, I have another hamster that ISNT nice at all. he is a dwarf, my other is a golden hamster.

I think that introducing is smart, but leaving them alone works wonders too. my dwarf I messed around with right when I got him and he wasnt very happy.

my teddy bear I didnt mess with and he turned out sweet.

also, when picking out ym hamster, my teddy bear was lazy and just kinda looked around like, 'hey why are you taking me outta here?"

and my dwarf ran all around like a crazy animal.

it all depends on the hamster too, they all have personalities and such, just like people.

and if the hamster looks healthy, life should still be about the same.

all of mine are from petsmart.

I couldnt find any breeders here, and the shelters never had any in.

Answer 2

It depends on the type of hamster. Did you try putting it in a hamster ball? No they do not die faster when you get them from pet smart. I got mine from their and I had It for 5 years until it died.

Answer 3

All hamsters have different personality's, make sure your hands don't have a bad smell or smell like food, that will cause your hamster to bite. I got my hamster at PetSupermaket, Introducing your smell/hand will absolutely help your hamster get used to you. For like a couple of days, try not to hold your hamster as much but pet him/her. when your at the pet store make sure you pet the hamster you would like to get and see if he/she is comfortable being held.

Petsmart???idk.

Answer 4

syrian hamsters are perfectly loving pets for the most part and once tame usually remain so but dwarf hamsters need constant handling and contact or they can become well.... ferile again

syrians must live on their own however but dwarfs can live together within breed (chinese, russian, robrovski etc.) i'd say syrian is the safer option from experience.

Answer 5

yes, depending on the breed or personalty

Answer 6

get Syrians! they are so luvable! try to find a young one so that they are used to you when tjhey are older. ive always thought petsmart was great for buying hamsters. the average life span is only 2 1/2yrs. leave it alone in the cage when you first bring it home for about 3 days so it can adjust to its new inviroment! and use carefresh bedding and NEVER cedar or pine! good luck!

P.S. rats are acually more social then hamster.  and they are easier to handel here is a link for all the stuff rats do... http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:dbh...

oh, and use carefresh for rats too!

Answer 7

Syrian hamsters can be fun and social... but they can also be the devil in hamster form! Before buying a hamster, ask to have a look at it and see how it reacts to handling. They will probably be a little timid to your touch, but if they don't try to bite... that's a fairly good sign. If they don't try to bite, or screech, or spin around fast when you touch them then you can probably tame the hamster down really well.

The best way to handle on is to let it smell your hand first. Their eyesight is really bad so they rely on their smell alone up close. By letting them smell you they won't be as startled when you touch them. Eventually they relate your smell to being handled (nicely I hope, if your not nice to the hamster then there will be many bloody fingers) and they will let you pick them up and play. It just takes time.

Answer 8

I have never really had any hamsters that were very social.  I highly recommend a ferret if you have the time and energy for a small animal- they require alot of work.

Another animal that I have found somewhat more interactive is a guinea pig.  I had one that would come to the side of his cage every time i came into the room... and they're less work than the ferret (and cost less too!)

Hamsters from Petsmart are likely (but I have no proof) from places that "mass produce" hamsters, meaning that they don't breed for good health lines, just for more hamsters.

Answer 9

well, hamsters are great and all, but I've heard rats are cleaner, nicer,smarter, funner, and very social, even more social than hamsters! my friend has three rats and i love them! infact i love them so much i just bought a cage that was 69.99 so i can get one! but, if your going to get a hamster get a hand fed one or already handled hamster, never EVER get a dwarf hamster they are very mean. i hope this helps you, and maybe you can help me on my question about names for a male pet rat.