Considering a Hamster

Question
Hi Kelly,
I recently moved out on my own, and my apartment is so lonely!  I'm not allowed to have dogs or cats in my apartment, so I was considering buying a hamster or other small pet.  One of my main questions is--are these animals affectionate at all?  Do they recognize their owners?  Also, if I decide to buy a hamster, how would I begin to look for one?
Thanks!

Answer
Hi Molly,

Hamsters are very affectionate animals.  The most common type is the Syrian (sometimes called "Teddy Bear") hamster.  These make great pets; however, be aware that they must be kept in cages by themselves.  Syrian hamsters are solitary and cannot be kept with another once they have been weaned.  Once they get used to you, they will recognize your voice, and it they're fairly smart, they can even be trained to come to you when you call them.

When you are looking for a hamster, try to find a reputable breeder.  These may be found in the yellow pages, or you can search online.  However, if you can't find a breeder, a pet store (as long as it is clean and well-kept) is a good option.  When you're choosing your hamster, ask to hold it if it catches your attention.  Its fur should be smooth and healthy, and it should have a firm body.  Its eyes should be clear, and the hamster himself (or herself) should be alert and interested.  Also, check its bottom.  If it is wet, with feces around it, it could have wet tail, which is a fairly common and sometimes deadly disease.  Ideally, you should look for a hamster in the evening, when hamsters are awake and alert.

It doesn't matter if you choose a female or male; it's just a matter of personal preference.  However, you should check to make sure males and females are separated if they are not babies.  Also, the ideal age to get a hamster is at least 6 weeks.

Here is a great webpage which will give you tons of information should you choose to purchase a hamster:

http://www.petwebsite.com/hamsters.asp

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

Kelly