Hamsters for Sale in the UK

Hamsters typically cost £10–£40. Syrians and standard dwarf hamsters are at the lower end; unusual coat types and colours from specialist breeders cost more. The cage and setup will cost considerably more than the hamster.

A Syrian hamster. They are the largest, easiest to handle and must live alone. Dwarf hamsters — Roborovski, Winter White and Campbell's — are faster, smaller and harder for children to hold safely, and Chinese hamsters are best for experienced keepers.

Syrian hamsters must always be kept alone and will fight, often fatally, if housed together. Some dwarf species can live in same-sex pairs if introduced young and given a very large cage, but they should be separated at the first sign of fighting.

UK welfare guidance is a minimum of 100cm x 50cm of unbroken floor space with deep bedding of at least 20–25cm so the hamster can burrow. Most cages sold in pet shops are too small; a large tank or bar cage with a solid wheel of 28cm or more for a Syrian is far better.

Two to three years for a Syrian, and around one and a half to two years for dwarf species. Buy from a breeder who can tell you the hamster's exact date of birth rather than an approximate age.

From four weeks for Syrians, though many breeders wait until five or six weeks. Sexes must be separated by four to five weeks to prevent accidental litters.

They can be, with supervision. Hamsters are nocturnal, so they are most active in the evening when children may be going to bed, and they can nip if woken suddenly. A Syrian handled daily from a young age is usually the most tolerant choice.

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