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A hamster is a hamster, right? Not so fast! There are actually a couple of different types of hamsters found both in nature and in captivity. There is the Syrian hamster, which hails from Syria, as the name suggests. The other is the dwarf hamster, which originates from places like China, Mongolia, and Siberia, where weather extremes are typical.
While there is just one type of Syrian hamster, there are four different types of dwarf hamsters that are suitable as pets. These include the Campbell, the Roborovski, the winter white, and the Chinese. There are notable differences between the Syrian hamster and the dwarf hamster that should be considered by anyone thinking about getting a hamster as a pet.
A few of the major differences have to do with size, temperament, and even eating habits. Also, habitat differences and exercise needs tend to be different. We have laid everything out for you in digestible segments below. Check it out!
Visual Differences
Syrian hamsters can grow to be up to 8 inches in length when fully grown, whereas dwarf hamsters can be anywhere from 2 to 4 inches, so the difference in size between the two breeds is significant. They have similar looks, but the Syrian hamster tends to have larger, rounder eyes. Syrian hamsters can have either short or long hair, depending on the variety, whereas dwarf hamsters have only short coats.
At-a-Glance
- Average length (adult): 5-7 inches
- Average weight (adult): 3.5-5.3 ounces
- Lifespan: 2–3 years
- Exercise: 2+ hours a day
- Grooming needs: Minimal
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: No
- Trainability: Minimal
- Average length (adult): 2-4 inches
- Average weight (adult): 1.5–2 ounces
- Lifespan: 2–4 years
- Exercise: 2+ hours a day
- Grooming needs: Minimal
- Family-friendly: Yes
- Other pet-friendly: Sometimes
- Trainability: Minimal
Syrian Hamster Pet Breed Overview
The Syrian hamster is active, curious, and independent. They will not put up with sharing a space with any other animals, even those of the same breed. They should live alone in their habitat, but they do enjoy the company of human family members. When handled from a young age, the Syrian hamster is affectionate and interactive with their family members.
They spend most of their awake time exploring, so they should have access to plenty of toys and hiding spots within their habitat. Syrian hamsters who get attached to their human family members will gladly hang out on a lap during movie time. These animals are naturally nocturnal and tend to be most active during the evening and overnight. While they may wake during the day for handling or feeding, they generally maintain a nocturnal rhythm.
Exercise
These little animals are highly active and curious, so they need plenty of exercise. Syrian hamsters will roam around almost constantly while awake, and their interactive personality makes them fun for kids and adults to spend time with. The Syrian hamster does not necessarily need time outside of their habitat, but they would surely appreciate it. They should have access to safe hamster wheels and other interactive toys to help keep them in shape.
Training
There are a few basic things that you can train a hamster to do, but for the most part, they will do what they want to do. The Syrian hamster can learn how to come when called and may interact in specific ways when collaborating with their human family members. However, they require patience, a kind and loving hand, and treats for optimal training results. Expect these animals to spend months learning and perfecting tricks.
Health & Care
Syrian hamsters are generally healthy, but they should be checked out by a veterinarian once a year, just like any other pet, to make sure that they stay healthy and to catch any issues, like digestive problems, before they become serious.
They should be kept in a cage that is at least 2’ x 2’ x 1’ to allow enough space for running and playing. Hamsters readily burrow and appreciate a depth of approximately 12” in which to dig. They should not be housed with other animals of any sort, even other hamsters, as they will fight to the death to secure command of the habitat. Toys and interactive landscapes should be included in their habitat to promote movement and overall physical health.
Suitability
These animals are suitable for any family, with or without kids, that has time to interact with a small animal daily. They are relatively easy to care for compared to many other pets, making them the perfect option for first-time pet owners of any age and any background. They are also fairly independent, which makes them great pets for singles who are not home much.
Dwarf Hamster Pet Breed Overview
Dwarf hamsters are tiny, fast, and independent. Unlike Syrian hamsters, they will run and hide when humans try to handle them. Handling from a young age can help tame them, but these tiny animals will do whatever they can to avoid capture by hand. These tiny pets will squirm and wiggle whenever they are picked up, making them a more enjoyable pet to watch rather than interact with.
They prefer to spend their time alone or with other dwarf hamsters, except for the Chinese dwarf. These little hamsters demand to live alone, like the Syrian hamsters do. The other three breeds of dwarf hamsters are happy to live together in groups if introduced from an early age, though they do not take well to other animals easily.
Exercise
Dwarf hamsters have similar exercise needs to their Syrian hamster counterparts, and they are far from lazy animals. These pets should have plenty of room to climb the walls, explore faux caves, and burrow into bedding during their waking hours. They love running on wheels and will run until they are ready for a long nap or a good night’s sleep.
Training
Dwarf hamsters do not like being handled much, so they do not take to training as well as Syrian hamsters tend to. These animals are more for watching than interacting with. They are small and will run away anytime someone tries to pick them up. Patience and a loving, caring hand can help make them tame.
Health & Care
Like the Syrian hamster, the dwarf hamster generally spends their life in good health. They should, of course, be seen by a veterinarian regularly. A proper diet of hamster pellets, a variety of seeds, and small amounts of fresh vegetables and fruits is important. Avoid sugary fruits and make sure their food is species-appropriate.
Suitability
The dwarf hamster is a good choice for families or individuals who may not have a lot of time for hands-on interaction. They are fun to watch, but they prefer limited handling, so if there are young kids in the family, it’s important to teach them how to properly handle them.
Which Breed Is Right for You?
Is the Syrian or dwarf hamster breed right for you? It all depends on the amount of interaction and the extent of engagement that you want to commit to. Owning a Syrian hamster is more time-intensive than owning a dwarf hamster. However, the love and bonding that takes place with an interactive Syrian hamster can be just as rewarding as the bond that is created with a cat or dog—or even another person!
Only you can decide which breed of hamster is right for you. Which hamster do you think is the best option for you and your family? We want to know what you are thinking! Leave us a quick message in our comments section.
Some of these may not be applicable to all types of pets. Please replace these with suitable categories related to the pet, e.g. if you’re writing about fish, use aquatic categories.
See Also:
- Cavapoo vs Mini Goldendoodle: Differences Explained (With Pictures)
- Labradoodle vs Goldendoodle: The Differences (With Pictures)
Featured image credit: Top – Johannes Menge, Shutterstock | Bottom – Vishnevskiy Vasily, Shutterstock
