Teddy bear hamsters. Just their name alone makes them sound like bundles of fluff, good vibes, and joy.
But, are Teddy bear hamsters friendly?
Key Takeaway:
Teddy bear hamsters do not need human companionship, but they are easy to tame and can develop a bond with their owner over time. When Teddy bear hamsters live together, they tend to fight. They should not share a cage.
Most Teddy bear hamsters are sociable and with a little patience make the perfect furry friends. Find out how to tame them and help them get used to you coming up next in this article.
Table of Contents
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters Friendly?
Do you want to adopt a pet hamster?
Hamsters make awesome pets for kids and adults alike. But if it is your first time taking home one of these adorable furballs, you’ll no doubt wonder if it’ll be a good addition to your family.
Are hamsters friendly?
Although they do not need human companionship like other animals, they are friendly pets. We all dream of having a sociable hamster that is comfortable in our arms and craves all our attention.
But, is that really possible?
Some hamsters are friendlier than others. How amicable your hamster is will depend on a number of factors.
What are those?
Let’s take a look at them.
The Breed of the Hamster
Hamsters are animals that do not necessarily need human companionship. Even still, these pets can warm up to and develop a bond with their owners over time.
That’s right, easy does it.
Some hamster breeds are keener on human attention than others. The Teddy bear hamster (aka long-haired Syrian hamster) is very friendly and easy to tame.
Teddy bear hamsters are the most popular hamster breed for domesticating. That is why they are so easy to find at any good pet store.
On the other end of the spectrum, you have the European hamster, the largest known species of hamster. European hamsters are solitary animals.
People do not usually keep European hamsters as pets as they are harder to domesticate and might growl or try to bite or scratch when they feel intimidated.
Key Takeaway:
Some hamster breeds behave completely differently in the wild than they do as pets. Here are some examples of breeds that go through a sort of metamorphosis when you domesticate them.
- Syrian hamsters are not friendly animals unless you domesticate them. In the wild, they usually live on their own in their burrows. You must not put more than one hamster in the same cage.
- Russian dwarf hamsters live in groups in the wild. But as domesticated hamsters, we do not recommend you keep them in large groups. Only put a maximum of two hamsters in the same cage and keep an eye on them as they might fight. These hamsters are most active during the night, so make sure you check up on them every morning. If you see any signs of fighting, separate them straight away.
The Gender of the Hamster
Are you looking for the cuddliest and tamest hamster out there?
Your hamster’s gender might determine how friendly it is. Male hamsters tend to be friendlier and easier to handle than female hamsters.
That’s right, the girls are grumpier than the guys. (Sorry girls).
Teddy bear hamsters are some of the friendliest hamsters you can get your hands on.
Male Teddy bear hamsters tend to be even more social than females. A female Teddy bear hamster is a little more aggressive.
The Nature of the Hamster
We’ve talked about how these animals interact with humans, but the breed of the hamster may also affect how they act with one another. Let’s look at two examples.
- The Syrian hamster (or Golden hamster) is not sociable by nature. These hamsters do not usually do well when sharing cages. If you are thinking about adopting a Syrian hamster, you must keep it on its own. If you decide to get an additional hamster, you will need to keep it in a separate cage.
- Chinese hamsters are not naturally amicable. They do better on their own than in the same cage as other hamsters. So…they like their own space…many of us can understand that!
Can Teddy Bear Hamsters Live Together?
Have you ever wondered where the Teddy bear hamster gets its cute and cuddly name from?
We call them Teddy bears because of their adorable button eyes, large, round ears, tiny nose, and full cheek pouches. They are also called long-haired Syrian hamsters, but we like the Teddy bear name a whole lot better.
You’ll no doubt agree that Teddy bear hamsters are adorable and fluffy, just as their name suggests.
But, is that what they’re really like on the inside?
Let’s dig a little deeper into their character.
How Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Interact With One Another?
Teddy bear hamsters tend to fight with one another. They do not do well when in the same cage, and even sharing the same environment with another hamster can put them on edge.
Teddy bear hamsters reach sexual maturity at 8 weeks of age. They can tolerate being in the same cage with other baby hamsters up until that time.
After 8 weeks, all hell breaks loose.
Most long-haired Syrian hamsters will fight with another hamster. A male hamster will fight with a female and with another male. Fights will also occur between two females.
So, what should you do?
Teddy bear hamsters cannot live together. You must keep them in separate cages; they do not like sharing.
How to Make Your Teddy Bear Hamster More Friendly
Whether you have a Teddy bear hamster, dwarf hamster, or any other hamster at home, you want them to feel comfortable in your arms from a very young age. It is possible for you to tame your hamster so he will get used to being around you.
How?
Take a look at the following hamster care tips to find out.
Be Consistent
Frequently interact with your hamster. If possible, do this at various times throughout the day.
Hamsters don’t follow a rigid work schedule as we do. For them, every day is Sunday (what bliss!)
But remember, hamsters are creatures of habit, so handle them for the same amount of time each day. Avoid overly handling them on days when you have more time, for example, at the weekends.
Don’t Disturb Him While He Sleeps
Hamsters (just like most of us) do not like it when you disturb them while they sleep. In fact, they might find it alarming and become a little aggressive should you disrupt their slumber.
Pet him only while he is awake. Do not pet him while he is resting.
Allow Him to Get Used to You
Hamsters are timid animals. Give your hamster time to get used to you before you dive in and pick him up each day.
Do this by allowing him to sniff and check out your hands in his own time. Once he’s comfortable with you, pick him up.
Handle Him Correctly
Your hamster will feel more at ease with you when you handle him correctly. Be gentle but confident while picking him up.
Delicately lift up your hamster by cupping him in both hands. Do not make any sudden movements, as they will frighten him.
Here are two safety points you must remember when handling your hamster.
- Do not allow young children to pick up your hamster without supervision
- Do not lift up your hamster too high, as he could break a bone if he falls
Teddy Bear Hamster Facts
Are you about to become the proud new owner of an adorable Teddy bear hamster?
Then you’ll be keen to swat up on everything you need to know about this hamster breed so you can give it the love and attention it needs. In this next section, we’ll answer a bunch of frequently asked questions about this hamster species so you can find all of the best Teddy bear hamster facts in one place.
Make sure you bookmark this page!
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters and Syrian Hamsters the Same?
Teddy bear hamsters are identical to Syrian hamsters. The only difference between them is that Teddy bear hamsters have longer hair than the average Syrian hamster.
The long-haired Syrian female hamster has slightly shorter hair than the male, but it is still considerably longer than the average Syrian hamster.
The Syrian hamster is the same species as the Fancy bear hamster and the Golden hamster. Golden and Fancy hamster are just alternative names for it.
Fancy bear hamsters and Teddy bear hamsters are popular breeds you will be able to find in good pet shops.
What do Teddy Bear Hamsters Look Like?
Teddy bear hamsters have small eyes, large round ears, tiny noses, and full cheek pouches. You will find them in any color and pattern at most pet shops.
The male Teddy bear hamster has long hair that forms a skirt around its hindquarters. The female’s hair is also long but does not have the same skirt-like pattern the male has.
What Does a Teddy Bear Hamster Eat?
Your Teddy bear hamster must eat up to one tablespoon of food per day (12 grams). This must include the following:
- Commercial hamster pellets (you will be able to find food full of the right nutrients at a good pet shop)
- Fresh fruit
- Fresh vegetables
- Timothy hay
Your pet hamster will also love it if you leave the occasional treat of mealworms, boiled eggs, and nuts in his hamster house for him to nibble on. Fancy hamsters (Golden hamsters) will also like this.
Are Teddy Bear Hamsters Good For Beginners?
Teddy bear hamsters and Fancy hamsters are good for beginners and children of a young age because they are easy to look after. Here are a couple of reasons why.
- They do all of their exercise alone on the hamster wheel in their cage
- They only eat 12 grams of food per day
- They do their own grooming
- You only need to clean their cage once or twice a week
- They do not need a lot of attention
Do Teddy Bear Hamsters Bite?
The Teddy bear hamster has sharp teeth which continue to grow throughout its lifespan. It will grind its sharp teeth down while it eats and nibbles on chew toys.
Even wild Teddy bear hamsters are not vicious animals and will only bite on the following occasions:
- If you frighten them
- If they feel threatened
How Long Is a Teddy Bear Hamster Pregnant For?
The gestation period of this small animal is not very long, just 16 days. After this short lapse of time, she will be ready to give birth to her pups.
On rare occasions, the gestation period might be slightly longer, up to 21 days, but when it is this long, the mother hamster often runs into complications.
These small animals can produce large litters. The average litter will have between 8 and 10 pups, but your hamster could have up to 20 at once.
How Long Do They Live For?
The average lifespan of the Teddy bear hamster is 2 to 3 years. Teddy bear hamsters live for roughly the same amount of time in captivity as wild hamsters.
They have the same average lifespan as most other hamsters. The oldest hamster to live in captivity was 4.5 years old when it died.
How Can You Tell if a Teddy Bear Hamster Is Pregnant?
A mother hamster will begin to show more obvious signs that she is pregnant toward the end of her gestation period. How can you tell if your hamster is awaiting the arrival of one hamster pup…or 20?
Here are some of the telltale signs to look out for.
- Her abdomen over her hips is bulging
- She is more active and is constantly running around her hamster cage
- She is agitated
- She begins to carry food in large quantities in her cheek pouches and hoard it in time for the arrival of her hamster pups
- She begins to hoard more nesting materials in one place, ready for her baby hamsters to live in
How Long Can They Go Without Water?
To keep your Teddy bear hamster happy and hydrated, he will need access to fresh, clean water every day. It is best he drinks his water out of a water bottle that you fix to the side of his cage rather than out of a food dish.
A Teddy bear hamster will die of dehydration after just 3 or 4 days without water. But, most hamsters will start to show signs of dehydration much before that.
The Secrets to Happy, Friendly Teddy Bear Hamsters
Are you about to adopt a Teddy bear hamster?
Then you’ll want to know more about the character of these pets before you take one home. This article has helped us to see that a Teddy bear hamster will make a great pet as it is easy to tame and rather friendly.
Although Teddy bear hamsters can warm to and enjoy the company of their owners, when two hamsters live together, fights often break out. This is true when both mixed and same-sex pairs are in one cage.
To prevent fights, do not allow your Teddy bear hamster to share a cage.
Did you find the tips in this article interesting?
At Oddly Cute Pets, we have bundles of useful guides that will help you to take care of your animals. Make sure you check them out!
Thanks for reading!
