To house Syrian hamsters, you’ll want to prepare a large wire cage with a plastic base. A cage for a Syrian hamster should have a base no smaller than 60 cm × 30 cm (24 in × 12 in), and it should be at least 30 centimetres (12 in) tall.
Because of their small size and ability to squeeze through small spaces, it is best to keep dwarf hamsters in a tank or aquarium rather than a wire cage. You’ll want to use a wire lid for the tank to allow for ventilation.
While most Syrian hamsters are golden brown in color, you can also find ones with white, black, brown, or gray coats.
While most dwarf hamsters are grey-brown in color, you can also find them in a range of other colors.
Although easy to handle, Syrian hamsters will, of course, nip if handled roughly, startled, or disturbed while sleeping. Always keep an eye on young children when they are handling a hamster.
If you choose to keep two or more dwarf hamsters in one cage, keep an eye on them to make sure that they get along well. Not all dwarf hamsters enjoy the company of others. Males are more likely to fight with one another than females.
You’ll want to look for a hamster that seems lively, inquisitive, and in good health. If a hamster is shaking or quick to bite, it may not be a good choice, as it will likely be more difficult to tame. Before picking up a hamster, let it smell your fingers. If it appears calm and relaxed, gently scoop it up with both hands. You’ll want to talk to it in a gentle voice and move slowly throughout. [7] X Research source
