The Ultimate Guide to Pet Hamster Breeds and Their Personalities

Key Takeaways

Hamsters are nocturnal, low-maintenance and thrive in large cages with regular handling.
Some hamster breeds are social and can cohabit, while others, like the Syrian hamster, are solitary.
Hamsters have short lifespans of 1-3 years, so potential owners should be prepared for a brief commitment.

Hamsters are more than just elementary school classroom fixtures—you could adopt a pet hamster of your very own! There are over 20 hamster breeds in the world, but only about five breeds are routinely kept as pets in the U.S.

Learn more about the five pet hamster breeds and decide if owning a hamster is right for you.

Species Characteristics

Hamsters make great pets for owners looking for a quiet, low-maintenance companion. Most hamster species are nocturnal, meaning they are most active from dusk until dawn. Pet hamsters are also quite small, with the largest species weighing up to five ounces. Don't let a hamster's size fool you, however—the larger cage they have, the better.

How to Care for Your Pet Hamster

Pet hamsters are incredibly light on their feet and can easily slip out of a handler's hands, meaning they should be handled often and with care to get them used to a human's touch. Many pet hamster breeds are social creatures who can cohabitate peacefully with hamsters of the same breed, especially if introduced to each other at a young age.

Note that pet hamsters typically have short life expectancies (1-3 years), so it's important to set realistic expectations when adopting a pet hamster for yourself or a child. It's also important to make sure you have a local veterinarian who can tend to the unique needs of a pet hamster prior to welcoming one into your home.

Determine Whether or Not a Hamster Is the Right Pet For You

01 of 05
Dwarf Roborovski (Pet Robo)

Roborovski Hamster. Credit: Getty Images/Rowan Castle

The tiniest night owl you've ever seen, the dwarf roborovski hamster (Robo for short) is a curious nocturnal hamster who maxes out at a whopping two inches long and weighs up to one ounce. Robos are known to be quite low-maintenance and quiet companions. While they don't like a lot of handling by their humans, they can get along well with other Robos, especially when raised together at a young age.

Species Overview

Length: 2 to 3 inches
Weight: 0.7 to 1 ounce
Physical Characteristics: Sandy brown fur with white bellies and white markings around their eyes

How to Care for a Pet Dwarf Hamster
02 of 05
Campbell’s Dwarf Russian

Credit:
Liliya Filakhtova / Getty Images

Campbell's dwarf hamsters are social creatures, craving affection and attention from gentle handlers. But pay mind that these guys are small and speedy, so make sure to keep a good grasp on them if hanging out with them outside their enclosure. Because of their size, it's best to keep them away from other household pets, including other hamster species, but they love to hang out with fellow Campbell's hamsters.

Species Overview

Length: 2 to 4 inches
Weight: 1.5 to 2 ounces
Physical Characteristics: Grayish-brown body fur, white belly fur, and a darker stripe down their backs with furry feet
03 of 05
Syrian (Golden) Hamster

Credit:
Paul Starosta / Getty Images

The Syrian hamster (also known as the golden hamster) is one of the most popular and largest pet hamster breeds. Syrian hamsters weigh almost five times as much as other pet hamster species. Their larger size (up to five ounces) makes them easier to handle, making them a good choice for beginners. Note that unlike other hamster breeds, Syrian hamsters are best kept as the only pet (and only hamster) in a household due to their solitary and territorial nature.

Species Overview

Length: 5 to 9 inches
Weight: 5 ounces
Physical Characteristics: Golden brown with a lighter belly, although several variations in color, pattern, and hair length exist

How to Choose the Best Cage for Your Syrian Hamster
04 of 05
Winter White Dwarf Hamster

Vichai Phububphapan / Getty Images.

The winter white dwarf hamster, also known as the Russian dwarf hamster, are only a fraction of the size of the Syrian hamster but make up for their size by being incredibly social and easy to tame. These clever hamsters change their coats from light gray/brown to winter white to blend in with snow and typically weigh under two ounces. Winter white hamsters tolerate both human handlers and other winter white hamsters well, solidifying them as a favorite hamster breed amongst novice and experienced hamster owners alike.

Species Overview

Length: 2.7 to 3.5 inches
Weight: 0.7 to 1.6 ounces
Physical Characteristics: Round bodies, short faces; dark gray fur, white bellies, and a black stripe down their backs; fur can turn white in winter

Continue to 5 of 5 below
05 of 05
Chinese Hamster

Credit:
Kanashi / Getty Images

The tails have it! The Chinese hamster is a small pet hamster breed that typically boasts a black stripe down their back that leads directly into an adorably long tail. Like their fellow hamster peers, Chinese hamsters are good-natured, low-maintenance pets. While small, Chinese hamsters need as much space as you can provide and plenty of chew toys to keep their tiny teeth and little legs in tip-top shape.

Species Overview

Length: 3.2 to 5 inches
Weight: 1.1 to 1.6 ounces
Physical Characteristics: Brown fur with a black stripe down their back and lighter colored fur on its underside; has longer tails than most hamsters

Problems With Hamsters' Teeth

Hamster Breeds to Avoid

In general, a pet hamster may not be the right choice for multipet households, especially if you are a dog or cat owner. You'll also want to make sure your hamster breed is known for cohabitating peacefully with other hamsters—for example, if you are wanting multiple hamsters, you'll want to avoid adopting a Syrian hamster. You also should not mix and match your hamsters across different species, as an unfamiliar hamster breed can make your pet hamsters nervous and territorial.

FAQ

How many hamster breeds are there?

There are over 20 hamster species, but only five hamster species are typically kept as pets in the U.S.
How can you identify a hamster's breed?

The easiest way to identify a hamster's breed is to pay attention to their specific physical characteristics, like colorful fur markings and ear shape.
What is the rarest hamster breed?

The world's rarest hamster is the European hamster, which is not commonly kept as a pet in the U.S.

7 Reasons Why Hamsters Make Great Pets

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