The teddy bear hamster is an adorable little creature. They are small, but not too small. They will typically fit in the palm of your hand. They are delicate, but not fragile. You shouldn’t drop them but they can be held and carried around. Their overall cuteness makes them a popular choice as the first-time pets of children or even adults alike. My girlfriend recently purchased one for me and I quickly learned, firsthand, all there is to know about them.
Before you buy one, you, too, need to know a few basics about the teddy bear hamster that will help you make an informed decision about whether or not they are an proper pet choice for your home.
1) They are nocturnal. This means that they are up all night and sleep all day. ALL day. If you are somebody who goes to bed early (before 10 PM) every night, the teddy bear hamster may not be appropriate for you. My teddy bear hamster will sleep all morning, all afternoon, and most of the evening. Around 10:30 PM he goes into hyperactive mode. We keep him in a large fish tank (without water, of course). He starts jumping up and down, trying to climb the walls, trying to climb his water bottle, running around in circles, doing anything to get out. He stares at you with those little sad eyes and just begs you to let him out. Which leads into #2.
2) They need exercise. It is best if you get them a wheel to run on through the night, but they still like to get out and explore. I let him run all over the house. **Make sure to watch them closely if you do this. They can squeeze into areas that you didn’t know existed. Let them run around for 20 minutes and then put them back in their cage/home. Again, if you let them out of their cage, you HAVE to keep constant eye contact on them and be within an arm’s length at all times. They are fast!
3) Their eyes can stick shut. It will scare you the first time you see it but, sometimes, especially right after they wake up, an eye might appear as if it is stuck shut. It is. This is common but needs your attention. Give it a few minutes to open on its own. If it doesn’t you need to help the little guy. Just use some warm water on a cloth or your hands and gently wipe around the eye. It should open. If it remains closed for a prolonged period of time consult your vet.
4) They don’t want much attention. If you are looking for a pet with a dog’s temperament or personality, then the teddy bear hamster is not what you are looking for. They are solitary creatures. They do not get along well with other teddy bear hamsters (keep only one in the cage). They will fight with others of their species; male or female. They will let you hold them, but they will try to escape your grasp. They won’t bite, though. Generally, they don’t want to be around you all the time, even at night when they are active.
5) Children beware. If you have small children, they – the kids, will need to be trained, not the hamster. Small children may think that the teddy bear hamster is a toy or is indestructible. It is not. Kids may not realize how to handle them with proper care. For this reason the teddy bear hamster is not a great pet for smaller children. They are more ideal for children at least eight years or older.