Hairless hamsters?

Question

What do you think of hairless hamsters? Good or bad idea as a pet?

Answer 1

I have 2 hairless rats, and I think are ar awesome pet choices. I thought about getting hairless hamsters insted but liked the rats better.

I think it's a good pet idea.

Answer 2

I dont think that hairless would be cute but I have never herd of or seen any so I dont really know

Answer 3

not sure. sry i♥u

Answer 4

I would advise you not to go in for hairless hamsters as pets. Hairless hamsters are born hairless due to a genetic anomaly and have a very short life expectancy- about half that of a haired hamster. They also tend to have trouble keeping on weight as they get older and are very sensitive to handle since they can easily get hurt and are more prone to skin infections because of their furless nature.

Some information that I have attached from the site www.hamsterific.com for your reading -

A hairless hamster is born completely devoid of hair due to a genetic mutation that effects the epidermis (the layer of skin where the hair follicles are).

Their skin is very warm and porous- sometimes feeling a little sticky to the touch. The natural oils in the skin are very apparent and they give off a soft, sweet aroma.

Basic care of a Hairless is like any other Hamster. There are a few considerations that should be made:

Delicate skin:

Hairless have no protective coat of fur, and can easily get little scrapes from every day activities. Aspen bedding, for instance, can easily scratch their delicate skin, so it is best to keep them in Carefresh, or similar paper pulp bedding. A wire cage may seem above safe for other hamsters, but any little protruding wire- where they have gnawed, or it has been bent- can cause a scratch. Along these lines, a full-grown Hairless will find it impossible to navigate hamster-sized tubes. They have no sleek fur to help them slide along and will either become lodged in the tube, or bruise or scrape their skin trying to get through. Hairless are best kept in a tank or bin with houses and toys designed with generous entrances. Other abrasive things to avoid are grass huts, wooden houses, and sand toilets.

No Warm Coat:

Hairless Hamsters feel very warm to the touch- and this is because a hamster's natural body temperature is a few degrees higher than ours. A Hairless's body works hard to keep it warm, though. It requires a much higher metabolism to constantly send heat to the surface. To help them maintain this level, supplement with higher protein food. Cat kibble is a very good source of tasty protein for a Hairless. Check the ingredients for natural preservatives, ingredients such as chicken or turkey, and add in a few pieces with their regular diet. Other high protein foods such as eggs, chicken, or wheat germ can also be given.

Keeping them Warm in Winter:

Hairless can be more at risk of going into hibernation than haired hamsters. It is important to keep their cage above 65 degrees F. An undertank heater designed for reptiles is one way. If you use a plastic bin for housing, elevate the bin slightly above the heater so it is not touching for safety's sake. Also, a heating bulb, if it can be placed in a safe place that the hamster cannot possibly touch it directly can be used. And be sure to keep those protien levels extra high in winter.