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Should I get a Hamster in Singapore? [2024]

hamster standing

Thinking about getting a pet but not sure which one to choose? Look no further than the humble hamster. These adorable, small, and furry creatures make fantastic pets for a variety of reasons. Whether you’re a busy professional, a parent looking for a pet for your child, or simply someone who loves animals, hamsters can bring a lot of joy and companionship into your life. Let’s explore why a hamster might just be the perfect pet for you.

1. Low Maintenance and Cost-Effective

One of the most compelling reasons to get a hamster is their low-maintenance nature. Unlike dogs or cats, hamsters require minimal grooming, exercise, and space, making them ideal for people with busy lifestyles or limited living arrangements.

Easy to Care For

Hamsters are relatively easy to care for. They don’t need daily walks or frequent baths. A simple weekly cage cleaning, daily feeding, and occasional handling are enough to keep your hamster healthy and happy. This makes them perfect for those who may not have the time or energy for a more demanding pet.

Affordable to Keep

Hamsters are also budget-friendly. According to the American Pet Products Association (APPA), the average annual cost of owning a hamster is significantly lower than that of larger pets like dogs or cats. You can expect to spend around $150 to $250 per year, including food, bedding, and veterinary care. This makes hamsters an excellent choice for individuals or families on a budget.

2. Great for Kids and First-Time Pet Owners

If you’re considering a pet for your child or if you’re a first-time pet owner, hamsters are an excellent option.

Educational Value

Hamsters can teach children important lessons about responsibility, empathy, and the care of living creatures. By taking on the responsibility of feeding, cleaning, and playing with their pet, children learn what it means to care for another being.

Safe and Manageable

Hamsters are small and easy to handle, making them safe for children. They are generally friendly and can be tamed with gentle, regular handling. Unlike larger pets, hamsters don’t pose significant risks of injury to small children.

3. Space-Saving Companions

Living in a small apartment or shared housing? Hamsters are perfect for compact living spaces.

Minimal Space Requirements

Hamsters require a cage that’s big enough for them to move around and explore, but even the largest hamster cage will take up far less space than a dog crate or cat condo. This makes them ideal for those who live in apartments or homes with limited space.

Quiet Pets

Hamsters are relatively quiet pets. They do have exercise wheels and occasionally make noises, but these are usually not loud or disruptive. This makes them suitable for shared living situations or for people who prefer a quieter household.

hamster standing

4. Highly Entertaining and Fun to Watch

Hamsters are incredibly entertaining animals. Their playful antics and curious nature provide endless amusement.

Active and Playful

Hamsters are naturally active, especially at night. Watching them run on their wheel, burrow in their bedding, or explore their habitat can be fascinating. They often perform acrobatic feats that can bring a smile to anyone’s face.

Interactive and Engaging

You can interact with your hamster in various ways. Many hamsters enjoy climbing on their owners and being gently petted. You can also create obstacle courses and provide different toys to keep your hamster stimulated and happy.

 

5. Long-Term, but Not Overwhelming Commitment

One concern potential pet owners often have is the length of commitment required. Hamsters have a shorter lifespan than many other pets, which can be seen as both a pro and a con.

Manageable Lifespan

Hamsters typically live for about 2 to 3 years. This relatively short lifespan can be ideal for those who aren’t ready to commit to a pet for a decade or more. It’s a good option for someone wanting to experience pet ownership without a long-term commitment.

Learning Experience

For children, a hamster’s shorter lifespan can also serve as an important learning experience about the life cycle, helping them understand and cope with the concept of life and loss in a more manageable timeframe.

6. Unique Personalities and Breeds

Hamsters come in various breeds, each with its own unique characteristics and personality traits.

Different Breeds to Choose From

  • Syrian Hamsters: Also known as golden hamsters, these are the largest and most commonly kept as pets. They are known for being friendly and easy to handle.
  • Dwarf Hamsters: Including Campbell’s, Winter White, and Roborovski hamsters, these are smaller and often more active than Syrian hamsters. They can be kept in pairs or groups if introduced properly.
  • Chinese Hamsters: These are slightly larger than dwarf hamsters and have a longer tail. They are very agile and enjoy climbing.

Personalities

Hamsters have distinct personalities. Some might be more outgoing and enjoy interacting with their owners, while others may be more reserved and prefer exploring their environment. Getting to know your hamster’s unique personality can be a rewarding experience.

hamster eating

 

7. Positive Impact on Mental Health

Owning a pet, even a small one like a hamster, can have significant positive effects on your mental health.

Stress Relief

Studies have shown that interacting with pets can lower stress levels and reduce anxiety. Watching your hamster’s playful behavior can be a great way to unwind after a stressful day.

Companionship

Hamsters, while independent, can still provide a sense of companionship. Caring for a hamster can give you a sense of purpose and routine, which can be particularly beneficial for those living alone or dealing with mental health challenges.

8. Easy to Adopt and Find

Hamsters are widely available and easy to adopt. You can find them at pet stores, through breeders, or at animal shelters.

Adoption Options

  • Pet Stores: Many pet stores offer hamsters for sale. Ensure you buy from a store that treats its animals well.
  • Breeders: Reputable breeders can provide you with a healthy hamster and detailed information about its background.
  • Shelters and Rescues: Consider adopting from a shelter or rescue organization. Many hamsters need a second chance at finding a loving home.

Affordable Adoption Fees

Adopting a hamster is usually very affordable. Adoption fees typically cover basic health checks and initial supplies, making it easy to get started.

Conclusion

If you’re on the fence about getting a pet, a hamster might just be the perfect choice for you. Their low maintenance, affordability, and space-saving nature make them ideal for a variety of living situations and lifestyles. They’re great for children, first-time pet owners, and anyone looking for a small, entertaining companion.

Hamsters offer the perfect blend of companionship and entertainment without the overwhelming commitment required by larger pets. Their unique personalities and the joy they bring into a home make them a delightful addition to any family.

Ready to take the plunge? Head over to your local pet store, breeder, or animal shelter and find your new furry friend today. Your perfect hamster companion is waiting to bring a little more joy into your life.


Note: The images, videos, and links provided in this article are for illustrative purposes. For purchasing or adopting, please visit trusted pet stores, breeders, or animal shelters.

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The Difference Among These 6 Hamster Breeds

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Hamsters are adorable little rodents. It’s a heartwarming sight to see the way they eat their food, run on their hamster wheel and behave in general. They are perfect for people who prefer having a pet that does not take up too much space in their homes. However, many make the mistake of adopting a hamster that may not be compatible with their needs.

Hence it is important to know the types of hamster breeds that exist, and whether they are suited to live with you.

Syrian Hamsters

shy cute hamster

Syrian hamsters, also known as golden hamsters, can be fantastic companions. They are fairly low-maintenance and easy to tame, making it a suitable breed for first time pet owners.

They have an average lifespan between 2 to 3 years. Their size is usually between 15 to 17cm

Coat Coloring & Features

While their main coat color is Golden, these hamsters tend to have variations:

  • Yellow
  • Cinnamon
  • Grey
  • Black
  • Cream
  • Mink
  • Sable

Their features include:

  • Golden brown with a lighter belly
  • Stubby tail, small eyes and cheek pouches
  • Some has long coat

Dietary Requirements

Their diet should include:

  1. Commercial hamster mixes
  2. Small pieces of fresh vegetables and fruits, such as:
    1. Apples
    2. Pears
    3. Broccoli
    4. Cauliflower
    5. Carrots
  3. Occasional treats like nuts, grains, seeds, mealworms

Facts About Syrian Hamsters

  1. Syrian hamsters are territorial mammals and will start fighting other hamsters by the time they mature. they may not be the right hamster for you to adopt if you are considering having more than 1 hamster or other animals in your home.
  2. They are nocturnal animals which are very active at night.
  3. They are not naturally prey animals, so loud noises, sharp movements and touch may startle them.
  4. Long-haired variants require grooming at least once a day. Ensure that you have enough time to dedicate to brushing their fur.

Winter White Hamsters

winter white hamster

Winter white hamsters are small hamster species with a social personality. Due to their small size and speed, they can be difficult to hold. However, because they are sociable and can be easily tamed, they are suitable for hamster owners of every experience level.

Winter White hamsters have a lifespan of 1.5 to 2 years, and their size is from 7 to 10cm.

Coat Coloring & Features

The coat of winter white hamsters is actually grayish-brown for most of the year. However, it changes to white during the winter . The purpose of its coat changing to white is because it acts as a camouflage in the snow to protect themselves from predators. Do note that keeping them in captivity does not guarantee the coat color change as they aren’t exposed to the winter light.

Their features include:

  • A wide black dorsal stripe along their backs
  • Small ears, furry feet and a round face

Dietary Requirements

Their diet should include:

  • Keep it balanced
  • You can feed them a combination of:
    • Fruits
    • Vegetables
    • Seeds
    • Nuts
    • Insects
    • Hamster Mixes

Facts About Winter White Hamsters

  1. They are half the size of the Syrian hamster
  2. They are also known as Russian Dwarf Hamsters
  3. They can be kept in small groups or same-sex as they are sociable. However, if they start fighting due to their territorial behavior as adults, then it is best to seperate them.

Campbell Hamsters

campbell hamsters

Campbell Hamsters are the most common hamsters that you can find. Due to their popularity, it has led to breeders all around the world to produce different colors and variants of the breed. Currently, there are over 40 different coat colorations.

They are generally low-maintenance and quiet. Hence, it is suitable even for beginners to care for.

Their lifespan is about 1.5 to 2 years old. They are usually about 10cm in size.

Coat Coloring & Features

Campbell hamsters tend to come in these color coats:

  • Grey (normal)
  • Cinnamon
  • Sandy
  • White (albino)

Their features include:

  • A thin dorsal stripe on back
  • Light grey fur on stomach
  • Large and upright ears
  • Long and thin face

Dietary Requirements

Their diet should include:

  • High protein content
  • Minimal fruits
    The reason for this is because Campbell hamsters are more prone to developing diabetes. Hence, we should minimize sugar intake as much as possible.

Facts About Campbell Hamsters

  1. The name originated in Mongolia, 1992 by a man named W.C. Campbell.
  2. They are nocturnal animals, similar to Syrian Hamsters
  3. Campbell hamsters are more prone to develop diabetes. As a result, minimize sugar intake levels when feeding this breed.
  4. They have extremely poor eyesight and even worse depth perception. To combat this, they have many scent glands located on the face, behind the ears, on the cheek pouches, near the rectum and genitals.
  5. The hamster may groom itself when in an unfamiliar location to create a trail to allow them to reburn back to their burrow.
    1. This is usually done by scenting the feet.
    2. These scent trails may last up to 8 days.

Roborovski Hamsters

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Roborovski hamsters are often regarded as the cutest and smallest hamsters out of all the species. They are very playful, curious and will try out anything. Despite being extremely shy, they can be sociable, so it is fine to keep them in groups, compared to solitary breeds like the Syrian hamsters.

However, due to their difficulty in handling, you should only adopt them if you are an experienced pet owner.

Their lifespan tends to be 3 to years, with some having gone higher than that . Their size measures at 5 to 7cm.

Coat Coloring & Features

These hamsters come in a range of colors, including:

  • Sand-colored (Common)
  • Agouti
  • Cinnamon
  • Cream
  • Husky
  • Head spot
  • Black-eyed white
  • Mottled
  • Dominant spot

Features include:

  • White fur around nose, base of ears, belly, tail and legs
  • Do not have dorsal stripes

Dietary Requirements

Feed a tablespoon of hamster mix and small amounts of fresh food daily. This is because they have very fast metabolisms.

Facts About Roborovski Hamsters

  1. They ar eless prone to illnesses and injuries compared to Syrian, Chinese and Winter White hamsters.
    Despite that, they may still be prone to:
    1. Broken bones
    2. Allergies
    3. Mites or ticks
    4. Overgrown claws and teeth
  2. Provide them with a lot of toys as they are very active
  3. They tend to be active during the night and early morning
  4. They have longer lifespans compared to other hamster breeds
  5. Keep them away from children as the hamster is very fragile, and can resort to biting when provoked.

Chinese Hamster

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These hamsters come from the deserts of China and Mongolia. They are very friendly and don’t nip frequently. However, you should provide them with a lot of attention to prevent behavioral problems as they rely on interaction.

These hamsters have a lifespan of 2.5 to 3 years with a size of 8.2 to 13cm.

Coat Coloring & Features

They tend to have a brown coat with thin black dorsal stripes along their backs. Their fur color is white on their stomach.

Their features include:

  • Round, upright ears
  • Pointed nose

Dietary Requirements

Chinese hamsters will benefit from:

  • Hamster food
  • Fruits and Vegetables
  • Nuts
  • Grains
  • Seeds
  • Insects

Facts About Chinese Hamsters

  1. Provide them with constant attention to keep them satisfied. This is to prevent them from provoking unnecessary behavior such as chewing on objects. You can try using small animal toys to keep them entertained.
  2. They’re often mistaken as mice due to their pointed nose and noticeable tail. They have an uncommonly long tail compared to other hamsters.
  3. They have an uncommonly long tail compared to other hamsters.
  4. To tell the difference between a mouse and a Chinese hamster:
    1. Look at the tail of the animal. Mices have tails as long as their body, which can go up to inches long.
    2. Another way to tell is that hamsters in general are nocturnal animals, while mices can choose to stay active throughout the day.
  5. This breed is territorial, so keep them away from other household pets or hamsters.

Hybrid Dwarf Hamsters

Hybrid Dwarf Hamsters were created as a result of crossbreeding. They may be harder to take care of, as crossbreeding may lead to potential health issues such as diabetes, a common disease in Campbell Hamsters. They are also known to develop neurological and behavior problems. For instance, the hamster may show aggression and start biting. Due to their aggressive nature, this often leads to them being neglected, abandoned or euthanized.

In addition, they may also have a shorter lifespan of less than 2 years. Hence, adopting Hybrid Dwarf Hamsters is only recommended if you are a very experienced and patient pet owner  willing to constantly show care for them.

Coat Coloring & Features

The Hybrid Dwarf hamsters may shar the same coat coloring as Winter White or Campbell hamsters as they were cross-bred. However, crossbreeders have managed to obtain new color mutations.

These color mutations are:

  • Tangerine
  • Mushroom
  • Orange
  • Brown
  • Moscow

These colors are banned from shows and competitions, as they are not considered as “purebred”.

Dietary Requirements

Hybrid Dwarf hamsters may follow the typical diet of other hamster breeds. However, keep in mind to minimize the sugar intake since it is inheriting the trais of a Campbell hamster, which is more prone to developing diabetes.

Facts About Hybrid Dwarf Hamsters

  1. The crossbreeds involved in the creation of these hamsters are the Winter White and Campbell hamsters.
  2. Their chances of inheriting diseases from their parent breed is very likely. For example, they may develop diabetes as their parent Campbell hamsters have a history of such disease.

Understanding the Breed’s Differences

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Each hamster breed has their own fair share of differences. Their behavior may also vary depending on their age and environment. However, this is not something to fear! As long as you have familiarized yourself with how you can take care of your hamster, there shouldn’t be any issues too severe to be handled.

Always be sure to:

  • Clean their cages weekly
  • Feed them their meal
  • Note their dietary requirements
  • Give them attention when possible
  • Visit a vet if they fall sick
  • Ensure they have plenty of exercise
  • Do more research as to how you can improve their quality of life

To have more in-depth knowledge, we have a blog post detailing on how you can take care of your hamster, as well as precautions you can take if you were to get a hamster for your child.

We hope this blog serves you well in determining the kind of hamster that you would like to adopt. If you already have adopted one, we hope that you have learned something regarding your hamster’s breed.
Considering adopting a hamster or any pets in general? Feel free to give this blog post a read!