Given the fact that hamsters are not very long-lived (two to three years average), it is important that you obtain a very healthy youngster. This is your main priority. Other factors that you will need to consider are which sex is preferred, and, of course, the color, pattern, and coat type that you favor.

Purchase Age

Baby hamsters are weaned when they are about 21 days of age, so anytime after this is the time to obtain one. Four to eight weeks of age is ideal because they should be very independent and eating well by this time. Although youngsters can live together amicably until they are about eight weeks of age, it is best to separate them once they pass the six-week mark. If this is not done, they may start fighting, while the females may become pregnant. Each pet should have its own accommodations. Do not mix hamsters with other small rodents, such as mice or gerbils, thinking they will be company for each other. Hamsters are solitary by nature and will not welcome any other pet into their domain.

Choice of Sex

It does not matter which sex you obtain. You can establish which sex is which by inspecting the ano-genital region. In the male, the distance between the anus and the genitals is greater than that in the female, where the two openings are quite close together. The female mammae vary in number from 12 to 17, with 14 (7 pairs) being typical. Generally, the female is somewhat larger than the male. The latter sex has small scent glands, which release a characteristic odor-but this is not such as to make the female superior on this account.

Color, Pattern, and Coat Type

The potential range of colors and patterns in hamsters is quite bewildering. Unless you have a very definite idea of what you want, it is best to select a healthy pet that displays a friendly disposition, rather than a well marked individual of dubious health and nature. But if you do have a definite idea of what you want, then be prepared to wait until just the right individual can be located. Visit a number of pet shops and see who generally has the largest selection of stock.

Bringing Your Hamster Home

It is always preferable that you purchase your hamster's accommodations in advance of obtaining the pet. This enables you to shop around so that you can buy exactly the sort of housing you want, rather than having to purchase what is available at the store at the time of the hamster's purchase. The pet shop will supply a small cardboard box in which you can transport hammy home. However, if the journey is lengthy, it is best to take a cake or cookie tin, which your new pet will not be able to nibble on. Pierce a few air holes in the lid and line the tin with white wood shavings and maybe some nesting material. Scatter some dry food on the bottom and include one or two slices of apple or a similar fruit, from which your pet can derive moisture.

Make the homeward trip direct, rather than stopping to shop or visit friends. Once at home, put the hamster in its new house and leave it alone for 24 hours so that it can investigate and generally settle down, have a meal, and a night's sleep. The next day you can begin the process of bonding your pet to you and other family members.

As far as IQ level, hamsters may not compare to cats, dogs, or parrots; nonetheless, they are quite intelligent, as are most rodents. They will certainly become familiar with your body scent and the way you handle them. If this is always gentle, you will berewarded with a very friendly pet. Be sure that they are never left to waddle along table tops and similar furnishings because they display little fear of heights. They could easily fall and injure themselves badly in the process. Always supervise young children with these pets until you are quite satisfied that they understand how to handle them gently.

Extracted from the Guide to Owning a Hamster, by Moosakoshani.