my hamster, coffee

Question
I've had Coffee for almost a year, and i just started to really really care about him a few weeks ago. I think he's a syrian hamster, but i don't know, and i've read these kinds of hamster can grow really big. But when i look really close that he doesn't really look a syrian hamster. So, is Coffee just fat, or can they even grow fat, or is he really just a syrian hamster for a brown and tan hamster?

Answer
Hi Shirley,

First, here's a link to a picture of a Syrian hamster:

http://www.petwebsite.com/colour.htm

And, here's a picture of a Dwarf hamster:

http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters/dwarf_campbells_russian_hamsters_colors.htm

Those links should help you determine which type of hamster you have.

Syrian hamsters can indeed get fat.  They get fat the same way humans do - by eating too much and exercising too little.  Make sure your hamster has a good, solid wheel.  (Avoid wheels with rungs, since the hamster can catch his feet in between the rungs.)  Also, I would encourage you to buy a hamster ball.  You can find a hamster ball for under $5 at a pet store.  If you have a Syrian hamster, you'll need the regular size ball.  Let your hamster run in the ball for about 15 minutes at a time.  Supervise him, and make sure there are no stairs around that he can fall down.

And, limit treats to small portions once a day.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly