Do all hamsters bite? I'm thinking of getting one and have more questions?

Question

l have always wanted a teddy bear hamster but am afraid of them biting. Can you tame them from a baby? What kinds of hamsters are there? What kind of housing do they need and what do you feed them? Do they smell if you clean them regularly? I have cats, how do you "kitty proof" their cage? And lastly, if they escape are they hard to catch (though my cats might do that first!)

Answer 1

Some hamster do. There are some breeds that bite more often but it all depends how safe your hamster feels. I had a baby teddy bear hamster once and he bite me at the beginning but after a while he got use of me and never bit me. There are lots of different kinds of hamsters like black bear hamsters (they almost never bite but don't trade in your hamster for one of those!), the Siberian, Djungarian, Robrovosky' s, Chinese, gray, blue mink Syrian and lots more. They just need a regular hamster cage from the pet store (but make sure he can't get out) and regular food from there too. Usually no. The cage doesn't smell if you clean it regularly. Just put the cage somewhere where the cats can't get it. And usually yes they are hard to catch. But if you know what room he's in you can sometimes get a bucket and a piece of wood going up to the bucket. Put some food and treats he likes on the piece of wood and in the bucket. Then close the doors and everything. They will sometimes climb up the wood and fall into the bucket. I hope this helps

Answer 2

All hamsters are different. The best way to tell is just going to a pet store and picking some up. The three year old I babysit has a Teddy Bear Hamster and it's the nicest pet ever. I've never seen it bite.
Hamsters need cages that cant easily be opened, because they are escape artists. Most pet stores sell the big plastic ones with tubes that will protect it from escape and cats. They aren't all that fast, so if they escape in your house, finding them shouldn't be too hard.
You don't need to clean them, really. You just need to change the bedding in their cages. The more often, the better. I'd reccomend once a week, maybe two weeks.
There's hamster food. They like the occasional vegetable, but it's best to stick to the pellets.

Answer 3

All hamsters have different characteristics maybe the one you chose may bite maybe it wont its not certain. Yes you probably could tame them. There are many types of hamster from dwarf to Syrian. You can get many types of cages from basic wire cages to interesting ones with tubes and huts all interlinking great fun. I have mice and they are in a plastic cage with tubes coming out the sides it has wire doors, i also have a cat and this seems to be a good way to keep him out except i have found that occasionally he can break off a tube slight but he can never get to them and they still cannot get out. This brand is savic. A good brand is rotastak it is great to look at and fun and good quality but more expensive than any other. As long as you keep the cage closed all the time then the hamster will not get out. They will smell if you leave them for more than a week w/o cleaning. Hamster food is everywhere supermarkets, pet shops, the vets, Internet. Before buying a hamster research everything about its needs. Then on the day set up the cage get the food then when the hammy gets home you can put it straight in the cage and let it settle in. Do not hassle it for the first couple of days let it get used to its surrounding then you can play with it as much as you want!!! good luck!!!

Answer 4

If a hamster is handled frequently they barely ever bite unless they are scared.
The best cage to get of you are worried about your cat getting it or it escaping is a Habitrail which is mostly plastic as long as you make sure you close the lid there is very little Chance of your hamster getting loose from it.
I used to clean my hamster 2 times a month and never had an odour problem.
Hamsters mostly ear seeds, nuts, corn and pellets along with the occasional fresh piece of fruit of veggie.
If your hamster gets loose in a house of cats it's a good bet you will never see it again unfortunately most people are not as fast as an average cat.

Answer 5

if you are hurting a hamster they bite, other than that they don't. you can buy cages of various size at pet stores or walmart and you can get hamster food at the same places. just don't feed the hamster fresh food such as carrots or lettuce because it gives it diarrhea. if you clean there cage every week or so they don't smell at all. to "kitty-proof" the cage just make sure all the doors are closed really good. and if the hamster escapes you can usually find it by the cage a day or two after they escape because they need water.

Answer 6

Bite: Not all of them, but 99% of them do.

Tame: Not really. They are what they are. But, if you handle them regularly, they will get used to human contact and may not freak out as much if they have the freak out personality.

Kinds: Tons! http://www.hamsterhideout.com/breeds.html

Housing: A simple fish tank works, but there are also extremely elaborate homes for them. Just go to your local pet store and look around--you will be amazed. No matter what you decide, get a wheel for him to run in, and a ball for him to run around the house in.

Smell: If cleaned on a regular basis, no. I clean out my hamster's cage about 1x a month with no odor.

Kitty proof: Just be sure there is a secure top on the cage. If you get an elaborate hamster cage, they come with tops. If you get a fish tank, ask the pet store attendant to show you to the wiring tops for them.

Escape: VERY hard to catch! They are excellent hiders and are very quick. My old hamster used to climb into the clothes drier through the tubes in the back. Just be very careful to not leave the cage open and you'll be fine.

One extra note: If you get more than one and want them to live in the same cage, be sure all are female. If its male/female, they will breed. If its male/male, they will have deathmatches.

Answer 7

Teddybear and golden hamsters are the best way to go but before getting a hamster ask yourself these questions: Do you have large dogs if yes then dont get a hamster! Do you havean airconditioned house!! if yes good! Will a hamster be a good pet for me??

Answer 8

if you get a hamster i know it sounds silly but talk to it so it knows the sound of your voice after a couple of days rub your scent on the bedding and when it wakes up (night) put your hand in the cage and
let it come to you if it doesnt dont worry it does like you but things take time. never put your hand in there when they are asleep as they feel threatened and will bite.you can get a normal sized cage. hamsters come in many different breeds just find out which one will suit you. feed them most fruit and veg and dried foods like ready made. if you clean them reguarly they will not smell. just make sure

Answer 9

We had a couple of hamsters in our family. Neither made very good pets...you have to keep them in separate cages or they fight to the death no matter of sex. They do not like to be held or petted. Their cages has to be cleaned weekly or they start to smell like ...well...hamster urine..and it is yucky...another thing...hamsters actually only have a life span of two-three years tops. My cat would sit and watch the hamsters in their cages but he never really attempted to get in to them. One of ours died after a few months of a bowel obstruction of some sort and the other died after a couple of years ...he actually escaped his cage and was found behind a dresser squished a week later..it was not pretty.

Answer 10

i would keep the cage in a different room because the cat might scare the hamster and maybe even give it a heart attack!
good luck on other questions