The teddy bear hamster is a variety of Syrian hamster with a long, luxurious coat of fur. Teddy bear hamsters are among the most popular types of hamster for many small pet owners, being prized for their soft and furry appearance.
WHAT’S IN A NAME?
There are many different names for teddy bear hamsters, which is one of the reasons that many people encounter confusion about this type of hamsters. A teddy bear hamster may also be referred to as a Syrian hamster, a long-haired hamster, an angora hamster, a long-haired Syrian hamster, or sometimes even as a “fancy” hamster (though some pet stores may use this term for short-haired hamsters as well).
GENDER COAT DIFFERENCES
Both male and female teddy bear hamsters have a long, soft coat of fur that is characteristic of their variety. However, the male teddy bear hamster grows a slightly longer “skirt” of fur that extends around the back portion of their body, above the hips. This is sometimes referred to as being the classic look for a teddy bear hamster. However, females are not necessarily without a unique coat type. Some female teddy bear hamsters will grown tufts of fur that extend from the shoulders, or may grow a small skirt of fur slightly shorter than that of male teddy bear hamsters.
SIZE
Teddy bear hamsters can grow to be up to five inches in length, though this is slightly influenced by diet, genetics and the size of their cage. However, due to their fluffy coat of fur, a teddy bear hamster does appear to be slightly larger than average. In the hamster family, the teddy bear hamster is referred to be the second-largest species.
GROOMING
Due to the length of their fur, a teddy bear hamster may require a bit of extra care when grooming. To prevent the coat of your teddy bear hamster from becoming matted, be sure to use a gentle brush to work out any tangles. In addition to this, be sure to choose a bedding material that will not easily be caught in a teddy bear hamster’s fur.
HEALTH ISSUES
Just like other hamsters, teddy bear hamsters have a fairly short lifespan, usually from 2 to 3 years. The main health problem that teddy bear hamsters encounter is loose stools, or diarrhea. This can be a dangerous condition for any hamster, and may even be a symptom of “wet tail”. Wet tail is a dangerous health condition, usually proving fatal without prompt treatment.
39 Responses to “Teddy Bear Hamsters Care”
I just got a Teddy Bear hamster and put her in pine shavings. Is this okay?? Why is this bad. Also There are 2 holes in her cage ad I put a blanket over the cage and put books over the holes and left to get duct tape for them. Im worried she’ll get out and fall. Can they take a big fall?
I just brought a teddy bear hamster male and female couple and they fight a lot but when they feel sleepy,They sleep together peacefully.Can anyone tell how can I stop their fights????
I just got a teddy bear hamster and so does my friend would it be bad to make them have a play date.
if they are the same sex yes!
My room is in the basement and sometimes it is cold down there in the winter. Is that bad for her? Should i move her up stairs?
I don’t know if my hamster is dead or if he’s hibernating. I need help
Is he/she stiff when you touch him/her?
if teddy bear hamsters eat sunflower seeds will they be all right????
My Teddy bear hamster has an absess in his just under his mouth. What can I do to fix this sore????
i just bought a new teddy bear hamster and she keep on sleeping and eating!!!i just feed her sunflower seeds is it okay???
you need a mixture of food, not just sunflower seeds, that is unhealthy for them! go to a pet store and get a hamster mixture
My teddy bear hamster sleeps all day in the mornIng and is awake mostly In the nIght is this normal for a Teddy bear hamster
yes hamsters are nocturnal
i just got a teddy hamster will like soft fabricy bedding be good?
I also have 2 new male teddy bear hamsters. We had them for 1 week and so far the have not fought each other. Matter a fact, I came home to find them sleeping side-by-side!!! Hamsters are all nocternol, so the will be up at night and mostl slppe through the day.
I have 2 male teddy bear hamsters and we have tried many different types of bedding. We got kiln dried hardwood bedding. It feels rough and like it would hurt them but i am unsure. Will it harm my hamsters?
I have the carefresh bedding which is basically recycled paper and its soft, absorbent, and not harmful for the hamsters. I have 2 teddy bear hamsters also and hey love the bedding because they can chew on it a bit more and make it soft. teddy bear hamsters’ urine will get absorbed
if they are from a store yes
Hm.My little muffin adores woodshavings. And they never get stuck to her. But are they ok? :/
I just got 2 new male teddy bear hamsters. How often do they fight? Why do they jump of of the floors in there tank? What do I put in the tanks to let them build there nests? I dont understand!
well did you loose your hamster because I got two and then three witch is the baby. And then we lost one and the found him and then we put them back together and they fought
And they were both males. Now they dont live together anymore Ok So hope it helps!!!:)
Don’t put them together they will fight
well when feeding my teddies i’ll give them an ocasional kricket for protein at least once a week but i’d not recomend you feed them just any old bug. try 2 buy frozen or dried insects ( that way its safer 4 them) an feeding them fresh foods like carrots or grapes are good for them plus most hamsters love to nibble on foods like that!;)
Well I have a teddy bear hamster, why is in the night he’s always up and wake me up but in the day he also play? I don’t understand. Do he sleep in night too? Also is it good to give bugs to an hamster, on one of a site they said it was good but I prefer giving him carrots and fruit and little hamster food.
From : Lil-Daisy and Jordan.
yes they dont eat bugs ok they will die. And I dont know why they are up all night?? My hamster is up all night to on her/his wheel!! Hope this helps!!
The reason your teddy bear hamster is up all night is becase hamsters are nocturnal. They are after all domesticated wwild animals. I have a long-hairedd male teddy bear hamster that keeps me up all night sometimes but it all depends on his mood. Also hamsters believe it or not do get bored being in the same old cage everyday. Let your hamster run around in a large ball or on a large table but keep an eye on them.
hamsters are nocturnal!!!
Step 1:Visit the pet store in the evening when they are more likely to be more active and energetic, since hamsters are nocturnal animals. Step 2:Observe their general behavior and overall condition. Step 3:Look for a hamster that is active, alert, energetic and playful. Step 4:Tap lightly on the tank and see if it responds. Step 5:Check the coat and make sure that is nice and smooth, not dull. Step 6:Look at its eyes. They should be bright and clear, not watery. Step 7:Check its breathing. A healthy hamster’s breathing is clear and there should be no discharge from its nose. The area around the nostrils should be dry and not have a crusty look. Step 8:Check its behind. Make sure it is clean. If it appears wet or dirty, the hamster may have diarrhea, which is a symptom of wet tail. This is very difficult to cure. Bring this to the attention of the pet attendant immediately, as it is contagious and the other hamsters in the cage may become affected. Step 9:Pick a hamster with a broad and round body. This indicates that it is eating well. Avoid hamsters that have lumps or bumps on their body.
I don’t know if I should get a Teddy bear hamster a panda bear hamster or a black bear hamster
What kind of bedding would you need for a teddy bear hamster?
Not pine it irritates their skin
Is it ok if my cage has tubes people say they can get stuck and die?!?!
It depends on the hamster really. Make sure they are small enough to fit through.
you just have to make sure that your hamster is not fat but if he/she is dont ever use tubes
1. they can die
2. if they pee or poop in there tube it is hard to get out.
3. they wont have any air space to breath.
I use toilet paper and paper towel rolls with all tissue removed for my hamsters and they love them ,plus they can chew on them which adds to their bedding.
no you cant because it will get in there fur and harm them
can I use wood shavings as there bedding?
not necesseraly i used woodshavings but they got stuck to my males back
I think you can use wood shavings.