The 5 most trusting hamster breeds incl. taming tips

If you’re going to get a hamster, it certainly won’t be just to look at, will it?

Petting, playing and curling are also sure to be on your wish list.

Not to mention that a tame hamster can be examined better and even enjoy grooming. This is not only nice, but also important and practical for pet health.

You can find out which hamsters are particularly trusting here.

Also, in this post, we’ll answer 10 common questions for you about “Can hamsters be tame at all and how can I positively influence that?”.

Let’s go!

The 5 tamest hamster breeds at a glance.

Among hamsters are not only surprisingly many different species and breeding forms.

They are also very different in behavior.

For example, some can be accustomed to humans in a short time, while others will remain comparatively shy even with a lot of patience.

The absolute majority of hamster species prefer a solitary life.

One of the exceptions is the Campbell dwarf hamster, which lives in groups and even forms monogamous pairs that raise offspring together.

So, before you decide on the animal extension, you should inform yourself in detail about the requirements, habits and lifestyle of the four-legged friends.

1: Dzungarian dwarf hamster

PROFILE

Size: 7 – 10 cm

Life expectancy: 1,5 – 3 years

Behavior: crepuscular, solitary

With just eight centimeters, large black eyes and short legs, the little animals are particularly cute. But this does not only apply to their appearance. Their behavior makes them equally popular and interesting as pets.

They can be tamed quickly and easily, are particularly trusting, enjoy being petted and have a playful nature. This can remain with them well into old age.

Therefore, they are especially wonderful for beginners. Once you’ve kept Dsungarian Dwarf Hamsters, you’ll find it hard to imagine having any other hamsters in the household.

Unfortunately, they belong to the dwarf hamsters and are thus considered more susceptible to diseases. Nevertheless, they are considered the tamest representatives of rodents.

2: Campbell Dwarf Hamster

PROFILE

Size: 8 – 10 cm

Life expectancy: 1,5 – 2,5 years

Behavior: very lively and active, can be kept in groups

The Campbell dwarf hamster is visually very similar to the dsungarian variety.

The animals live in group associations and often form pairs that are monogamous and care for each other. If there are offspring, both father and mother will care for the young.

So if you do not want offspring, you should pay very close attention to the sex of the animals. It is not advisable to keep Campbell hamsters singly.

Even if the animals live in groups, they become nevertheless fast and simply tame. Trustfulness is in their nature as well as a social togetherness.

3: Chinese striped hamster

PROFILE

Size: 9 – 12 cm

Life expectancy: 2 – 3 years

Behavior: climbing, solitary

The Chinese striped hamster or Chinese dwarf hamster is particularly tame and affectionate to humans. That the animal comes on the hand or can be stroked is therefore already possible after a short time.

The dwarf hamster breed grows up to twelve centimeters long and is therefore comparatively large.

In addition, the Chinese dwarf hamster is particularly peaceful and friendly. Of course, he should also only be touched when he is not sleeping or wants his rest. Basically, however, he shows no aggression.

Therefore he is suitable among other things also as a pet for older children.

4: Teddy Hamster

PROFILE

Size: 12 – 14 cm

Life expectancy: 2 – 3 years

Behavior: nocturnal, solitary

This long-haired variety is large compared to the dwarf hamsters with 13 to 18 centimeters. However, they also show themselves to be very robust.

Due to their trusting character, you can quickly tame a teddy hamster, and that’s a good thing. Because the long fur needs a little more care, where you should support the animal.

Instead of just petting, you can use a soft brush to remove tangles and dirt, massage the skin and make the animal feel comfortable.

At the same time, you can also do a little inspection. Teeth, eyes, ears and anus should definitely be included. But also the skin can be examined for redness, scales and swellings. Through this possible problems will be noticed faster and an early treatment will be possible.

5: Golden hamster

PROFILE

Size: 12 – 18 cm

Life expectancy: 2 – 3 years

Behavior: nocturnal, high urge to move, solitary

Gold hamsters and teddy hamsters are the same breed of hamsters.

Gold hamsters have short fur, while Teddy hamsters are long haired. However, they do not differ in character. Gold hamsters and teddy hamsters are also the same in body length, weight and coat pattern.

The short-haired variant shows itself in the fur care of course less elaborate, but enjoys petting just as much.

10 important tips and questions about tame hamsters

Some hamster breeds are affectionate to humans, others are rather shy. We have given you an overview in the previous chapter.

However, even representatives of a particularly approachable breed can escape if they are not gently accustomed to people.

How this can work and which myths about hamsters you should better not listen to, you will learn in the following.

How do hamsters become tame?

Simple answer: Through calmness, the feeling of security and with a lot of patience.

Let your four-legged friend get used to his new environment, speak in a calm voice at first and limit the interventions in the cage to feeding and changing water and bedding.

Does your new pet no longer flee when you enter the room and may even watch curiously when you reach into the cage?

Then you can now begin to carefully offer special nibbles from your hand. These can be mealworms, for example. If they are accepted, you can put them on the flat of your hand next time.

With luck, the hamster will be brave enough to at least stand on your hand with its front paws and pick up the mealworm.

Are female hamsters or male hamsters more trusting?

There is no blanket answer to this.

Much more important factors are the time you spend with the animal and the breed. In addition, of course, the species-appropriate attitude plays a decisive role.

The more comfortable the animal feels and the more gently you handle it, the greater the likelihood that the hamster will become very tame.
Will a hamster not become tame if the cage is too big?

This is a very dangerous myth. Because it literally invites to keep the hamster under undignified and absolutely not species-appropriate conditions. But the danger is not only for the hamster.

If the animal feels cornered and lacks escape possibilities, it can go over from fear to the attack. Moreover, any progress you have made in taming it will be destroyed.

The cage design should include the following points:

as large a floor area as possible
high floor pan
plenty of bedding for digging and burrowing
sleeping caves and houses
twigs for gnawing and climbing

Are hamsters suitable pets for children?

Older children who understand how to handle them are eligible to keep a tame hamster.

Parents still need to be educated on what tasks are involved and when the animal is better left alone.

Are there day-active hamsters?

In nature, most hamster species are nocturnal. Proximity to humans may additionally cause them to be reclusive during the day and become active only when their surroundings become quiet.

However, very tame hamsters, golden hamsters and teddy hamsters can also be diurnal.
What is the level of care required for a hamster?

The effort is low.

Changing water and food daily and changing bedding about once a week – not much more is needed to provide basic care.

Of course, the more you spend time with your hamster and the tamer you want your animal to be, the more time you will need to spend with the animal.
Is a running wheel healthy for hamsters?

In nature hamsters move a lot in search of food. In a cage this is not possible.

Even if you give your hamster a very large floor space, it is not a complete substitute. An exercise wheel can be a good addition to the cage.

However, when choosing, you should pay attention to these points:

Size suitable for the animal, preferably a little larger.
continuous running surface without gaps
sufficiently wide running surface

Tip: Here you can find 5 great running wheels for hamsters
Do hamsters become tamer with a lot of free running?

It contributes in any case to the well-being of your animal!

But, you have to pay attention to the safety. Make sure that the hamster can not escape from the run and then makes the apartment unsafe. Catching such a small and agile animal can be very difficult.

It is also very dangerous for your hamster to run around freely in the house or apartment, thanks to potential poisonous plants and power cords.

Here’s how dangerous the outdoors is for your hamster.
Is variety in the cage good for the animal?

Yes, variety is good for your pet.

Both in the cage and at feeding time. Food games, new hiding places, toys and natural materials such as twigs with leaves are ideal. When feeding, especially the fresh and protein food can be varied well.

Is it possible to keep a hamster alone?

It is not only possible, but appropriate for the species.

The only exception is the Campbell hamster, which needs social contact with other hamsters.

Unlike rabbits, you can keep hamsters as single animals and make them very trusting.