I want to buy my 8 year old son a hamster. What is the best species?

Question

I went to Petco yesterday and they had several species of hamsters. WHat would be the best for my son. He wants to hold them a lot of course. He loves his sisters totally tame syrian hamster but I wanted to get him something different. What is the best choice? I saw a Roborovski that was SO cute and I the clerk opens the cage and I tried to catch him, he never offered to bite but boy is he fast. They also had Black Bear, Fancy, Dwarf, Teddybear etc...

If I get the Roborovski will I ever be able to tame it enough to hold it like we do with my daughters hammy?

Answer 1

Teddy Bear and Black Bears are the best. I'd say don't go to Petco.... go to petsmart. I worked at both and they don't do a whole lot to make sure you keep the animal alive and happy at petco. At petsmart they'll even show you the best cage to keep it in. Stay away from cages with tubes or lots of plastic things. A good pet store should be able to walk you through everything and help you select the best hamster... with all the information you need.

Answer 2

Well my first hamster was a chinese dwarf hamster. Im not sure if a Roborovski would be the best choice for a 8 year old. If its really quick ur 8 year old may have a chance of dropping it then making the hamster have health conditions....maybe even kill it! I'd say go for a teddybear...a teddybear is quite large and is really fun. My neighbor had one...they can be quite calm and i believe pretty easy to train. If the hamster isn't for his birthday then bring him to the pet store and let him choose, or if it is for his birthday then ask the clerk what hamster he'd say would be suitable for a 8 year old:)....well good luck ..tell me what u choose

Answer 3

Personally, I would not recommend the Fancy hamster.

When I was a kid I had several mice (usually in same-sex pairs), two Fancy hamsters and one Siberian (dwarf?) hamster over the course of several years. The Siberian hamster was much more fun than the fancy hamsters. However, the mice were far and away my favorite pet rodents.

Answer 4

buy 8 year son hamster species

Answer 5

Sorry for the lengthy answer I've given. I'm a small animal rescuer.
Robo's are one of the harder of the dwarfs to tame and are very fast. The Russian dwarf is easier, but they too are fast. Dwarf breeds are quicker to bite also. The Black bear, Fancy, and Teddy bear are all the same breed of hamster called Syrians. The name pet stores give them refers to the color and pattern of the hair. I have found that the male Syrian with long hair (Teddy Bear) to be the calmest and least likely to bite. I also had a Black bear color male who was also very sweet, but lost him last Tuesday due to age. Females tend to be more jumpy. I rescue all small animals and have had many years prior experience with hamsters. I've mainly had Syrians off and on for over 30 years. I also have 8 Russian dwarfs and 18 Syrians now. I mainly have males of both breeds.

The Syrians also will live longer then any of the dwarf breeds will. Syrians live 2 1/2 - 4 years whereas a Russian dwarf lives 1 1/2-2 yrs, the Robo life expectancy is the longest of all the dwarfs at 2 1/2-3 yrs. The link below on species has informaton on the different dwarf breeds.

Information on a Syrian:
Adult weight:
Male 85-140 g, Female 95-120 g
Life span:
Average 2 years, maximum expected 3 years (some reach 5 years)
Water consumption:
Variable, can tolerate long periods without water, but should always have fresh water available by gravity bottle or supply of fresh fruit/vegetables
Food consumption:
10-15 g/day (adult), depends upon level of activity.
Body temperature:
36.2-37.5º C (rectal)
Behavior:
Docile unless surprised or awakened.
Nocturnal
Hibernate when temperature drops below 5ºC, however, animal may be roused by gentle stimulation and application of warmth.
Curious by nature

Caring for a hamster: You need a cage, a hypo-allergenic litter (Care Fresh (pet store) or Critter Care (Wal Mart)), a solid plastic wheel, treats, Wet Tail treatment, toilet paper rolls (for chewing) also unflavored dog treats free of artifical colors and flavors, garlic, onion, or onion powder. Never use a wood product litter such as cedar and pine, they cause lung problems, even aspen can cause allergies in some hamsters. The cage you choose should be easy to clean and well ventilated. I feel a plastic with wire top is the best to use, they come in single, double and triple heights and are $20-$40 at most pet stores. Some pet stores sell starter kits with everything needed, just replace the wheel with a solid plastic one if it has a slatted one.
Now for foods in addition to the normal dry food. Never give your pet raw kidney beans, onions, raw potato, rhubarb, chocolate, candy or junk food. The second site below is a food list for your hamster. The last link is basic information on any breed of hamsters.

Almost forgot with a Syrian you can only house one per cage, they are solitary animals and will fight with opposite sex and same sex alike, they will fight to death often). Dwarf breeds, you can keep same sex (opposite and they breed like mice) together as long as they are the same age, never put an older one with a younger one (fight to death in most cases).

Good luck.

Answer 6

I think he is a little young for a hamster but I think that the best type of hamster is definetly the Teddy Bera Hamster. They are so laid back and you don't really have to tame them because they don't care if you hold them they never bitten me TAKE IT FROM A GIRL WHO HAS 10 OF THEM!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Hamsters are loners. The type doesn't matter. On the other hand, the guinea pig is very social. It likes company.

Answer 8

Any breed that doesn't come from Petco: http://members.aol.com/homeforgps/advice/petstore1.htm

I'd suggest contacting a good breeder instead. their hamster will most likely be healthier and have a better temperment. (which is very important if a small child will be handling him/her.)

Answer 9

I would jst let him look at al lthe hamsters and let him pick the one he wants.