I'm Getting a Pet Hamster, How do I pick the right one?

Question

I'm getting a pet hamster in a few weeks, but I don't know how to pick a good, healthy hamster. I think I am buying one from PetSmart, but what should I look out for? What should a healthy hamster act like?

Please help me with some tips on selecting a healthy hamster.

And if you can, please add in some hamster names too, for girl and boy hamsters!

Answer 1

Get a cute, cuddly, and nice hamster. Look for a light color, and one that fits your taste.

Answer 2

Ask whomever you are buying the hamster from to let you HOLD the hamster. If they will not let you hold it, do not purchase it.

If you are allowed to hold it, that's already a good sign. You definitely want a hamster that doesn't bite. Normally if their going to bite, they'll bite the associate trying to get it out as apposed to you.

Second, look for bright, open and alert eyes and ears, and check the rear end. Any dampness on the rear end is a sign of illness.  

Answer 3

He should listen when u tap your finger on the glass unless hes sleeping...make sure his coat is nice.not all fizzed up.unless he is long haired like mine.

http://www.hamsterific.com/            a good website for hamster info! it shows how to pick one too.Good luck!!!

Answer 4

it shouls be a hamster that is active and friendly ask to pik it up if they dont then i wouldnt get it  

Answer 5

your hamster should have meet these standards. those are the minimum.

http://syrianhamtologyonline.webs.com/2c...

That site is small but it has good info. it is new.

Answer 6

pick a fat one.  

Answer 7

PICK THE BLACKEST 1

Answer 8

Do you know what type of hamster you would like to get because Robo Dwarf Hamsters are just SOOO cute and they are so small that you rarely have to change their cage.

If you go around 5 or 6 at night you can see them out in their cages beings that they are nocturnal. Look for the active ones and make sure that they are well groomed.

Answer 9

Well i got mine from pet-smart to she is a tortoise shell hamster when i got her she was running on her little wheel like crazy. well her sister was sleeping it was like 8 o-clock but i thought hamsters were suppose to be nocturnal and they are . Males have a odor and females don't. you look for a active little critter with yellow teeth. Rascle as a girl and billy bob as a boy good luck

Answer 10

a healthy looking hamster:

eyes: bright, shiny (the fur around eye shouldent be sticky.)

coat: thick silky

nose: dry

behavior: lively alert

Answer 11

i think you already know this so i am not going to tell you again but definitely hold the hamster before you chose if you want to buy it or not and if it seems really scared or bites you then i wouldn't get it because then it might just keep on biting you or be scared of you for the rest of

the time that you have it. DON'T get a black bear or dwarf hamster!  they  

are both really mean hamsters. here are some names that i like for hamsters.

Girls

Acacia

Aisha

Dolly

Munchkin(yes this is actually a girl name my dad calls me this)

Candy

Fluffy

Baby

Bella

Diamond

Daisy

Binky

Casey

Cyrus

Cutie

Erin

Florrie

Flower

Honey

Ice

Lilo

Maddie

Misti

Nala

Penny

Princess

Raindrop

Rosie

Stardust

Stella

Sweetie

Tinkerbell

Twinkie

Twinkle

Valentine

Jewel

Arella(means Angel)

Cocoa

Snowflake

Bonnie

Sandy

Charity

Reality

Emmie

Miss Grumples

Mellow

Softy

Trinket

Miss Piggy

Girly

Dawdles

Doodles

Queeny

Coconut

Raffles

Ruffles

Chicka

Cherry

Melon

Licorice

Velvet

butterscotch

Gum Drop

Pumkin

Sugar

Cranberry

Star

Gretal

Dew Drop

Cassidy

Little Bear

Pixie

Dixie

Dancer

Smooches

Boys

Buttons

Comet

Teddy

Sunny

Fudge

Gizmo

Henry

Hercules

Jester

Oreo

Oscar

Scamper

Shadow

Titan

Charlie

Buddy

Pippin

Bilbo

Frodo

Rafael

Speedy

Rodney

Munchy

Sport

Wilbert

Sunshine

Walter

Gilbert

Klaus

Chester

Football

Orlando

Blacky

Racing Stripe

ratatouille

Hawkleberry

Hammy

Dopie

Gofer

Oinker

Sparky

Ricky

Twitchell

Squabbles

Gulliver

Gilligan

Tucker

Ozzie

Buggy

Mac

D.J.

Big Boy

Butterball

Squeek

Ping Pong

Marblez

Tidbits

Tweedy

Willy Wonka

Both

Ding Dong

Dusty

Panda

Bam Bam

Brownie

Bubbles

Celery

Cinnamin

Cottons

Cozmo

Midnight

Monopoly

Nugget

Paddie

Pebbles

Pudding

Puffles

Ravenclaw

Rolo

Roxy

Rudy

Sailor

Skye

Storm

Tin Tin

Tribble

Snuffy

Cookie

Toffee

Chuckles

i think you have enough name to chose from now.

Answer 12

dont get a hamster they are smelly little critters and all they do is p**p when you hold them( believe me ive had many) bleh they are gross =P  get a ferret they are way cooler animals

Answer 13

http://www.ehow.com/how_2043618_pick-hea...

Enjoy your hamster and best of luck!

Answer 14

Firstly, if you can do, try to buy direct from a breeder.

Next, have you decided on a breed? If you want something quite tame and good for a beginner, go for a Syrian. They're laid back and don't often bite when handled. The important thing to remember about these though, is that they must be kept alone.

I have a female and find her to be quite clean, also, I prefer them as the males tend to have big "bits"! She's also docile as anything and is never cross. So, decide which s*x you'd prefer next. The only thing about buying females is that their is occassionally the danger of pregnancy.

Then, you want to have a look at what is on offer in the cages. Have a look at colouring, see which you prefer (I chose mine as she's a sepia-grey and was the only one in the cage) and ask if you can take a closer look. Hold them on a flat surface as they will more than likely be wriggly as they won't be used to you. What you want to check for is alertness, bright eyes and a glossy coat. If you see anything that concerns you, do not buy! Check that there are no bald spots or signs of dampness around the tail.

You're away after that! It's not really too dificult, just use common sense and see what fits in with you.

This site's pretty useful for lots of things, but here's the page about purchases:

http://www.hamsters.co.uk/buying_hamster...

Answer 15

Here is how to choose a healthy hamster:

http://exoticpets.about.com/od/hamsters/...

I would suggest you don't go to PetSmart or Petco because they have had numerous hamsters that end up with wet tail. Wet tail is when they take hamsters away from their moms too soon. They ship them to them into the stores. Try to find a smaller business where they breed their own hamsters.

The girls tend to be a little more violent than the boys in breeding season. Do not get a girl and a boy together or you will have a ton of little bundles of joy. If you want to get two, get two cages because they will likely fight and when they do, maybe to the death.

Have you decided what kind of hamster you want? There are many different types like Syrains, Dwarfs, Robo's ect. They all have different pro's and con's I would suggest you learn about the different types before you head out.  

Answer 16

Step

1

Visit the pet store in the evening when they are more likely to be more active and energetic, since hamsters are nocturnal animals.

Step

2

Observe their general behavior and overall condition.

Step

3

Look for a hamster that is active, alert, energetic and playful.

Step

4

Tap lightly on the tank and see if it responds.

Step

5

Check the coat and make sure that is nice and smooth, not dull.

Step

6

Look at its eyes. They should be bright and clear, not watery.

Step

7

Check its breathing. A healthy hamster's breathing is clear and there should be no discharge from its nose. The area around the nostrils should be dry and not have a crusty look.

Step

8

Check its behind. Make sure it is clean. If it appears wet or dirty, the hamster may have diarrhea, which is a symptom of wet tail. This is very difficult to cure. Bring this to the attention of the pet attendant immediately, as it is contagious and the other hamsters in the cage may become affected.

Step

9

Pick a hamster with a broad and round body. This indicates that it is eating well. Avoid hamsters that have lumps or bumps on their body.

Step

10

Have fun picking your hamster!

Answer 17

Tips on getting a healthy happy hamster:

1: Be sure that the eyes, ears, and around the nose are clean and clear.

2:Check the fur for bald patches or stickiness. These are bad signs.

3: Try to find the one that is most active.

Boys:                    

                            



Hammy          

Adam                  

Joey                  

Peanut Butter  

Nutter Butter  

  Girls:

Baby

Dottie

Girly

Honey

Gretel

Both:

Fluffanuter

Teddy Boy or girl

Jokester

Smarty

Answer 18

Ok well in my opinion the "Syrian" hamster is the best way to go. They have a lot of other names like Teddy bear, black bear. Stuff like that, and they are very easy to handle. I'm not sure if Pet smart sells Syrians anymore, but if they do make sure the one you want is Awake. Also make sure that he/shes eyes are clear and not smokey looking. Boy hamsters don't smell as much as females by the way. Hehe oh and Syrian hamsters are territorial and like to be alone. So do not put two Syrians in a cage together. If your at the petstore and you see 2 or more Syrians together...I do not suggest getting one from there because they could have an agressive past. I hope this helps! Have fun with you're soon to be hammy!!!