My daughter wants a hamster...we have never had one. Which would be better...a girl or a boy?

Question

We are only wanting one...don't know if there is a difference in temperment...or if it really matters. Please only respond if you have actually had one before!

Answer 1

I have never found much difference in male and female syrians. By the way, I would start with syrian hams rather than dwarfs as they are larger and easier to handle.

Physically, girls do produce a LITTLE bit less odor. Not such a vast difference, and if you clean the cage out every week or more, smell will not be an issue. Both are of similar size and both are equal in tempermant. Both CAN grow up to be energetic or relaxed, bitters or not, playful or not, etc. It depends mostly on where it's from and how it's raised.

So the first thing I'll tell you is to avoid pet stores. I know hamsters ar considerbly disposable and a pet store is the first place anyone will go, but they can just cause more problems. First of all, the percentage of them actually getting the gender correct (and placing them in the right bin) are oh, so slim. What you buy as a male might as well be a female with 10 more on the way. Pet store hamsters are always bred regardless of quality (yes, there are actual dedicated hamster breeders that breed for VERY nice personalities and many attractive colour variations). You may hear people talking about how their hamster was horribly aggressive, and this is why. First check breeders, classified ads, and shelters. Even though the ones you don't get from breeders are most likely from pet stores, you might as well save a life. If nothing is available, look for a reputable petstore.

All these things people are telling you about one being nicer or smell better is pretty much their own fault, frankly. Either by the place they decided to get them from or how they take care. Hamsters really can make lovely pets. They need weekly cleaning (as mentioned) and daily treats and handling.

Please read all four topics. Better do it right the first time :P
http://www.hamsterhideout.com/allabthams.html
And I encourage you don't rely on what the pet store employees tell you. It's best to know it all yourself.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Okay honestly most hamsters are not of good temperament boy or girl...I have had several over the years since I was a kid. I know that it is going to sound weird but consider a little rat, they are the most lovable things and do not bite or smell and make a great kids pet. I was weirded out at first also but came to love the 2 that I had.

Answer 3

ok well, im 13 but i got 2 girls once (girls smell less than boys and i got girls for this purpose) and they got along but there was a problem, one of htem had 5 little babies and i was so happy and stuff but 1 night i woke up they were only like 2 daysold and 3 of them were gone the 2 older hamsters ate them UGH i got sick of them so i gave the older 1's to a friend thankfully that was in the summer so i was always home so every 3 hours i had to wake up and feed them kat formula and they lived i still have them and they r girls too ok ur probably wondering y im telling u this well the moral is get a girl in a store that they keep girls and boys seperate so she wont be preg and the same thing happen to u that happened to me well, i hope i helped :-)

Answer 4

I had a boy hamster and a girl i put the girl in my room and the boy in my sisters and the girl never made a sound and was very neat and never stank so i would go with a girl or both to breed

Answer 5

a girl:female hamsters are very loveable and arent really that hard to manage, if ur daughter isnt energetic, then a female will be the best
a boy: male hamsters are energetic and love to play around, if ur daughter is energetic,then a male hamster would be the best for her

Answer 6

I think my girl hamsters were much sweeter than my boy hamsters. The boys always tried to escape. They were more lively too.

Answer 7

Get a boy. My mom got a female hamster once. A few weeks later it had babies. They had sold her a pregnant one and didn't tell her.

Answer 8

ive had both girls and boys and i would say get a boy because i think theyre better and just nicer..ive had a few girls that wont even let us touch them..and ive had a couple that theyve sold pregnant to me! && each time the moms ate the babies! it was horrible! well hope this helps!

Answer 9

A boy

Answer 10

I would prefer a boy because girl hamsters can get pregnant and it would be a hassel if you got a girl and had to get it neutered so it doesn't have to have babies.