A teddy bear hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster, not a separate species. It weighs about 110 to 140 g, usually lives about two to three years, and is awake mostly at night. Syrian hamsters must live alone. They need a big cage with deep bedding, hamster pellets, fresh water and weekly brushing for their long fur.
teddy bear hamsters quick facts
- A teddy bear hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster.
- Syrian hamsters usually live about two to three years.
- Syrian hamsters must live alone, or they will fight.
- A Syrian hamster needs a cage floor of at least 100 x 50 cm.
- Grapes and rhubarb are poisonous to hamsters.
What is a teddy bear hamster?
A teddy bear hamster is a Syrian hamster with long, fluffy fur. The Merck Veterinary Manual and VCA Animal Hospitals say it is not a separate species. It is a long-haired Syrian hamster, also called a golden hamster.
Its soft, shaggy coat makes it look a little like a tiny teddy bear, which is how it got its nickname. VCA says the Syrian is the most common kind of pet hamster.
Hamsters can make good pets for families, but they have special needs. This guide explains what teddy bear hamsters are like and how to look after one well.
| Teddy bear hamster at a glance | |
|---|---|
| What it is | a long-haired Syrian hamster |
| Weight | about 110 to 140 g, roughly an apple |
| Lifespan | usually about 2 to 3 years |
| Awake | evening and night |
| Lives | alone |
| Main food | hamster pellets or nuggets |
| Cage floor | at least 100 x 50 cm |
What does it look like?
Teddy bear hamsters have long fur that can look wild and fluffy. The Merck Veterinary Manual says Syrian hamsters come in at least 20 coat colours and several fur types, including long-haired, rex and satin.
They are the biggest pet hamsters. The Merck Veterinary Manual says an adult weighs about 110 to 140 g, roughly the weight of an apple. Their tail is tiny, only about 1.5 cm long.
Hamsters have big cheek pouches. The Merck Veterinary Manual says that when they are full, the pouches can more than double the width of the hamster’s head and shoulders.
Wild relatives
Pet Syrian hamsters have wild relatives. Animal Diversity Web says wild golden hamsters live mainly on the Aleppo plateau in northern Syria, where summer days can reach 35 to 38 °C.
All pet Syrian hamsters come from a few animals collected near Aleppo in 1930, the Merck Veterinary Manual says. Wild golden hamsters are now rare, because their home area is so small.
In the wild, Animal Diversity Web says, a golden hamster may travel up to about 13 km (8 miles) in a single night, looking for seeds, nuts and insects.
Night-time pets
Hamsters are nocturnal. The PDSA and RSPCA say they sleep during the day and wake up in the evening and at night.
The RSPCA says hamsters have large eyes packed with cells that help them see in dim light. But they are poor at judging heights, the PDSA says, so they can fall easily from high places.
Because they are active at night, a hamster may be busy running on its wheel when you are going to bed. Think about where its cage will go before you bring one home.
A hamster that lives alone
Syrian hamsters like to live alone. The RSPCA says each wild adult lives in its own burrow, well away from others.
Never keep two Syrian hamsters together. The PDSA says they will fight, which can cause serious injuries or even death. A teddy bear hamster should always have a home of its own.
A good home
Hamsters need more space than many people think. The PDSA says a Syrian hamster’s cage floor should be at least 100 x 50 cm, and bigger is better.
Hamsters love to dig. The PDSA says the cage needs at least 25 cm (10 inches) of bedding, so the hamster can burrow, sleep and store its food.
A wheel is important for exercise. The PDSA says it should be at least 30 cm (12 inches) across, with a solid running surface and no gaps. The RSPCA says cage floors must be solid too, not wire.
Never use cotton wool or “fluffy” bedding. The RSPCA explains that its thin strands can wrap around a hamster’s legs and cut off the blood flow.
Choose a dust-free bedding, and ask a vet what they recommend. The RSPCA suggests dust-free wood shavings, while the PDSA advises avoiding wood shavings because they can be dusty.
Keep the cage indoors, in a quiet spot away from draughts and direct sunlight. The PDSA suggests a steady 18 to 21 °C. The RSPCA says hamsters can hear high sounds we cannot, so keep them away from TVs, computers and vacuum cleaners.
What do teddy bear hamsters eat?
In the wild, golden hamsters eat seeds, nuts and insects. For pets, the PDSA says the main food should be hamster pellets or nuggets.
Pellets are better than seed mixes, because every piece is the same. That stops a hamster from picking out only its favourite bits and missing out on the goodness in the rest.
The PDSA says fresh vegetables and herbs should be given in small amounts, about a teaspoon or two a day. A few protein treats, such as mealworms, are fine now and then.
Some foods are dangerous. The RSPCA says grapes and rhubarb are poisonous to hamsters. If you are not sure whether a food is safe, ask a vet before giving it.
Hamsters need fresh, clean water all the time. The PDSA says to use a bottle with a metal spout and change the water every day.
Try scattering some of the food around the cage or hiding it in tubes. The PDSA says this lets a hamster search for food, just as it would in the wild.
Teeth that never stop growing
A hamster’s front teeth keep growing all its life. VCA Animal Hospitals says hamsters need safe things to gnaw, to keep their teeth from growing too long.
Overgrown teeth can make a hamster drool, stop eating and lose weight. Give your hamster safe wooden chews, and ask a vet if its teeth look too long.
Brushing a teddy bear hamster
Long fur needs extra care. The RSPCA says long-haired hamsters need brushing about once a week, to remove tangles and bits of bedding from their coats.
Use a soft brush and be very gentle. Brushing is also a good time to check that your hamster looks healthy.
How to hold a hamster
Only handle a hamster when it is awake. The PDSA says a hamster woken from sleep, or a frightened one, may bite.
To pick one up, cup both hands around it and scoop it up gently. The PDSA says to hold it close to your body while sitting on the floor, so it will not be hurt if it wriggles free.
Falls from a table can break a hamster’s bones, the Merck Veterinary Manual says. The PDSA advises that young children should not hold hamsters, but can give treats and stroke them gently in the cage with an adult watching.
Keeping a hamster healthy
The Merck Veterinary Manual says signs a hamster may be ill include sitting hunched, not eating, runny eyes or nose, messy fur and diarrhoea. Hamsters can get ill quickly, so they should see a vet soon.
VCA says a new hamster should see a vet within a few days of coming home, and then have a check-up every year. The RSPCA says hamsters and people can even pass colds to each other.
Some families look into pets for emotional support. If you are thinking about this, talk it through with your family and a vet first. Some services offer ESA certification.
How long do they live?
Teddy bear hamsters do not live very long. The PDSA and the Merck Veterinary Manual say Syrian hamsters usually live about two to three years.
That short life means every day counts. A big cage, good food, gentle handling and regular vet checks will help your hamster live a happy life. Compare it with another popular small pet in our guinea pig facts.
Cleaning the cage
A clean home keeps a hamster healthy. The RSPCA says to spot-clean the cage every few days, removing wet bedding and old food, and to give it a deep clean once or twice a month.
Try to clean when your hamster is awake, in the evening, rather than waking it in the middle of the day. Leave some of the old nest bedding behind, so the cage still smells familiar.
Keeping warm
Hamsters do not cope well with the cold. The Merck Veterinary Manual says that if a room gets very cold, below about 5 °C, a hamster may go into hibernation, which is risky for pets.
Keep the cage in a room that stays at a steady, comfortable temperature, and never put it in a cold garage or shed.
Treats in moderation
Treats are fun to give, but too many are unhealthy. The Merck Veterinary Manual says treats should make up no more than about 10% of what a hamster eats each day, and its food should contain about 15 to 20% protein.
Three things people get wrong
Teddy bear hamsters are not a separate species. They are long-haired Syrian hamsters.
Syrian hamsters should not live in pairs. They fight and must live alone.
Hamsters are not the easiest pets for small children. They are awake at night and may bite if woken.
Did you know? All pet Syrian hamsters come from a few animals collected near Aleppo, Syria, in 1930.
Try it
Measure out 100 x 50 cm on the floor with tape. That is the smallest cage floor a Syrian hamster should have.
Knowledge check
Why must Syrian hamsters live alone?
Show answer
They fight if kept together.
When are hamsters most active?
Show answer
In the evening and at night.
Frequently asked questions
What is a teddy bear hamster?
A teddy bear hamster is a long-haired Syrian hamster. It is not a separate species, just a Syrian hamster with long, fluffy fur.
How long do teddy bear hamsters live?
Syrian hamsters, including teddy bear hamsters, usually live about two to three years.
What do teddy bear hamsters eat?
The main food should be hamster pellets, with small amounts of fresh vegetables and herbs and a few treats. Grapes and rhubarb are poisonous.
Can teddy bear hamsters live together?
No. Syrian hamsters live alone and will fight if kept together, which can cause serious injuries.
Do teddy bear hamsters bite?
A hamster may bite if woken from sleep or frightened. Only handle it when it is awake, cupping it gently in both hands.
How do you care for a teddy bear hamster’s fur?
Brush it gently about once a week to remove tangles and bedding, and never use fluffy cotton-wool bedding.
Sources
- Merck Veterinary Manual: hamsters — origin of pet Syrian hamsters, long-haired coats, size and cheek pouches; its pet-owner pages were also used
- VCA Animal Hospitals: owning a pet hamster — the teddy bear variety, teeth and vet checks
- Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan: golden hamster — wild range, habitat, night travel and diet
- RSPCA: keeping hamsters as pets — living alone, night vision, handling and health; its pages on home, diet and health were also used
- PDSA: hamsters as pets — lifespan, cage size, bedding, wheel and temperature; its pages on diet and handling were also used
