Teddy Bear Hamster: Care, Lifespan and Temperament

What a teddy bear hamster is

Teddy bear is a pet-trade name rather than a separate species. It describes a long-haired Syrian hamster, the species also called the golden hamster. VCA counts teddy bears among more than 19 hamster breeds and notes that the Syrian is the most common pet hamster. Their soft, longer coat and round face are what give them the name.

Merck Veterinary Manual describes adult Syrian hamsters as about 6 to 8 inches long and about 4 to 5 ounces in weight, with cheek pouches that stretch back toward the shoulders for carrying food. Syrians were originally golden but are now bred in many colors and coat types, so a teddy bear can come in cream, black, sable, patterned and more. Whatever the coat, housing decides most of its comfort, so start with a roomy hamster cage such as this hamster cage.

Lifespan and size

VCA gives a lifespan of about 18 to 24 months for pet hamsters, with some living up to 36 months, and Merck gives 18 to 36 months for Syrians. That short life is worth knowing before you buy, especially for a child's first pet, so the family is prepared for a loss within two or three years.

Syrians are larger than the dwarf hamster species, which makes them easier for most people to handle. VCA notes that dwarf hamsters are more excitable, faster and harder to handle than larger breeds, which is one reason Syrians, including teddy bears, are often recommended for first-time owners.

Temperament and handling

VCA describes hamsters as generally gentle and affectionate if they are socialized when young. They are mainly nocturnal, so a teddy bear will sleep through much of the day and come alive in the evening. Wake them slowly and let them know you are there before picking them up, because VCA says hamsters bite when startled, frightened or held too tightly.

Scoop your hamster up in cupped hands over a soft surface, close to the floor, so a fall is short. Short daily handling sessions in the evening build trust. VCA advises never leaving hamsters unsupervised with small children, and their night-time wheel running means a bedroom cage may not suit light sleepers.

Housing: one hamster per cage

Syrian hamsters, teddy bears included, must live alone. VCA explains that hamsters fight, males with males and females with females, especially pregnant ones, and Merck says they are best housed singly. A cage of two teddy bears sold as friends will usually end in injuries.

VCA gives a minimum of a 10-gallon tank for a hamster-sized rodent, with bigger being better for exercise, and a lockable, escape-proof top, because hamsters are skilled escape artists. Merck recommends a solid floor, an enclosure at least 6 inches high and preferably 8 inches or more so you can add deep bedding, plus a solid-surface wheel, a nest box and tubes to explore.

Diet

Feed a complete pelleted hamster diet as the main food. VCA advises small amounts of fresh or frozen vegetables and very little fruit on top, and warns that a seed-only diet is high in fat and can lead to obesity. Hamsters pick out the tasty seeds from mixes and leave the balanced parts, which is why pellets are preferred.

Fresh water should always be available in a clean bottle or bowl, and Merck suggests cleaning it daily. Hamster teeth grow continuously, so provide safe chew items such as untreated hardwood chews or cardboard. Remove fresh food that has not been eaten within a day so it does not spoil in the nest.

Grooming a long coat

A teddy bear's longer fur can pick up bedding, food and droppings. Check the coat and the back end a few times a week. If bits of bedding tangle in the fur, tease them out gently with your fingers or a soft toothbrush. Never bathe a hamster in water: they groom themselves, and a wet hamster chills quickly.

Choose a soft, low-dust paper bedding that does not cling to long fur. Merck and VCA both advise avoiding cedar and pine shavings, and VCA also lists sawdust, corncob and sand among beddings that can irritate the lungs. Long coats can hide weight loss, so feel your hamster's body gently during handling.

Health, temperature and vet care

VCA recommends a checkup with a vet who is familiar with hamsters within 48 to 72 hours of bringing one home, then yearly, and twice a year once they are older. Hamsters do not need vaccines. Call your vet if you notice sneezing or discharge, lethargy, weight loss, wetness around the tail area, overgrown or broken front teeth, or sores.

Hamsters do not tolerate heat well, VCA notes, so keep the cage in a cool spot away from direct sun and heaters. Merck gives a comfortable range of 64 to 79°F. Diarrhea in a hamster can become serious quickly, so do not wait to see if it passes.

This page is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your pet.