Owning a pet hamster is a bit responsibility, especially if you have a long-haired hamster. Long-haired hamsters require a bit more special care than short haired hamsters, though many people prefer the appearance of long haired hamsters. Some long-haired hamsters are called “teddy bear” hamsters, though this is usually only used to describe long-haired Syrian hamsters. When caring for a long-haired hamster, it’s important to pay attention to your hamster for any potential health problems.
COAT CARE
Long haired hamsters do require a bit more attention to their fur than short haired hamsters. Though most hamsters will regularly groom themselves, it’s still important that you pay attention to the state of your hamster’s coat. Some long-haired hamsters may need to be bathed, especially if their cage is not cleaned on a regular basis. Though it is not common to brush your hamster’s coat, a small grooming brush may be purchased from a pet supply store for small tangles. Be sure that the brush does not have metal bristles, as they may damage the delicate fur of the long haired hamster. To avoid this, you may want to purchase a small plastic comb with wide teeth, which makes grooming a long haired hamster much easier.
MALE AND FEMALE LONG HAIRED HAMSTERS
In Syrian hamsters, there are a few marked differences between long haired female and male hamsters. Most long haired male hamsters will have a long coat, which also includes a “skirt” of fur that is present around the waist. By comparison, the female long haired hamster’s coat is typically shorter than the male. Also, a female long haired hamster usually does not have a fur “skirt”, though may have small tufts of hair present around the shoulders or hips.
BEDDING
Due to the fur length of a long haired hamster, the hamster’s bedding may become entangled in the fur. This is usually seen in cages that use shavings as bedding, though may occur with paper bedding as well. If you choose to switch bedding for a long haired hamster, be sure that it is non-toxic, without any potentially harmful materials or color additives.
SAND BATH
Some long-haired hamsters may enjoy being bathed by a sand bath. In particular, long-haired Dwarf hamsters are said to display the most enthusiasm about sand bathing. You can give your hamster access to a sand bath by purchasing chinchilla sand (not dust!) from your local pet supply store.
20 Responses to “Long Haired Hamster”
I already brush Bruno (my teddy bear hamster) with a plastic comb and I will buy some sand for his fur, I think they are the best looking hamsters! I feed him hamster muesli and hamster fruit and honey sticks that I buy from the pet store, they are hard to keep his teeth nice and short. Also I have flavoured wood for my hamster to gnaw on and I give him shredded paper and pom poms (that he rips up) for his bedding!
My long haired hamster Mr.Orange is a fully grown male orange-cream kind of color combo with grey ears. He is not moving right now! He has curled up into a ball and I thought he was dead but then I read about the hamster hibernation. I am using heating blankets and hot water bottles I have some water for rehydration. I saw his leg twitch and his whiskers were shaking abit. I am scared that he will die or that he may already be dead and I wouldnt know of it or maybe that I am trying to warm him for no reason! I read that when the food lacks or temperature in the room drops they start hibernating to save energy and it’s that it is only temporary! I am scared. I would love to get a reply. I remember when I first saw that hamster in the petshop. He looked so lonely all alone there in his cage. I told mom I wanted that hamster as I stared at the glass. But she said ”We are getting a goldfish remember?” I said I didn’t want the gold fish so we got Mr.Orange! I sold my old toys to protect feed and take care of that hamster. He looked so fat and happy. I feed him carrots,wheat,organic nuts,grapes and hamsterfood. I have a little flowerpot ready to bury him in if he dies. It is a nice way I’ve heard.
all of this reading made me think for a while and i finally decited to get a long haired hamster
Hey all. I have read over a few times to not get two long haired hamsters vause they will try and kill eachother… breeding them is the only time you should put them together.. sand baths are probably required every month and im planning to use them for a science fair project.. I know that sounds horrible but all im going to do is make them do mazes and also this a good reason to also have them as a pet..
wish me luck.
and yes long haired hamsters will eventually get stuck in the tubes as they continue to grow.
I decided on a long haired because of what I read. His name is Gingko and he’s so sweet! It didn’t take long at all for him to adapt to his new home, and get used to me, which I love! A long haired does take a little more daily care, but it’s so worth it, and this breed is my first choice!
Well by reading this I learned that long haired hamsters need to take a sand bath every once and a while.
i want a long haired hamster but everytime i go to get one they are out and then when i finally go to get one and ones there they all are mean and aggresive. can i fix this problem? how? please comment or reply i am desperate
I’m gonna get a long hair hamster at petco.. They only have female. I’m worried about the cage I got. I’m scared that the hamster won’t fit though the tubes… It pro will though because it said on the cage fit for hamsters, dwarf hamsters, gerbils, and mice. Wish me luck.
hey Syrian hamsters shouldn’t be put in cages with tubes especially long haired hamsters as the fur can become tangled and caught also as the hamster gets bigger it wont be able to fit threw them and can result in injury i know this from personal experience the best cages to get are those made of wire and have 1 or more levels plus having a wire cage makes for better ventilation hope this helps
i just got a long hair hamster for my 13th birthday and i was wondering if i should trim his hair?
i have a question for all the owners of a long haired hamster, how do you get a long haired hamster beacuse i heard they are rare and hard to find in pet stores i know you can buy one online but i dont want to pay the extra money thanks
well if you live in or close to dyersberg they have a pet stop and they have all sorts of hamsters including long haired, goldens, dwarfs,fancys and i think thats it.
I’ve seen many of them at pet stores, just like petco or pet supplies plus!!:)
you should go to your local Petsmart store and look in the small animals section thats how i got my long haired hamster
Some pet stores dont even realise what kind theyve got.. I walked into pets at home, picked the fattest hamster there, paid the regualr price, turns out he’s a long haired hamster, I didnt have a clue until about 2 days ago, and ive had him for a year now.
Hey i was wondering how long it takes for them to actually grow their long hair? If you know PLEASE tellme!!:)) Thx 4yall’s help!!:)
Yeah but is there such a thing as a longhaired dwarf hamster?
Yes.
ya you shud really read a lot about hamsters before you get one im reading about 25 articles everyday for the past 4 monthes to make sure i want a hamster, i have decided on the teddy bear hamster!!!
well i have a long-haired hamster, a male actually, he is 6 months old, and im worried that his teeth will over-grow, but thanks to this website, i’ll just give him a piece of bark to chew, i also learned that they are more prone to the wet tail.