You can buy a hamster in 4 different places: one pet store, at a specialized breeder, in a animal shelter, or at an individual which would have had a scope. Each of these places has advantages and disadvantages which we present to you below. Whichever option you choose, be sure to do your research before purchasing a hamster and choose a place that offers healthy hamsters.
Buy a hamster
In pet store
Pet stores are the first place that comes to mind when looking to buy an animal in general, a hamster in particular. This is a practical option because there are pet stores almost everywhere, and therefore close to you.
Advantages of buying from a pet store:
- You will often have a lot of color choices among hamsters’ coats.
- You can purchase all the necessary accessories on site
- Hamster prices are generally fair
Disadvantages of buying from a pet store:
- You will have no history of your hamster’s life before purchasing it.
- Difficult to know if the chosen hamster is in good health
- It’s complicated to examine your future protégé from all angles!
- These are often the Russian and the Syrians, the most common hamsters sold there. Difficult to find other species
- They often come from industrial farms
- Sellers are never “specialized” in hamsters and will therefore not often give you specific advice.
- Hamsters are generally not fed adequately, which can lead to illness later.
- You don’t know exactly how old the hamster in question is
From a specialized breeder
They represent an excellent alternative to the pet store for quite a number of more or less obvious reasons:
Advantages of buying from a breeder:
- They are generally enthusiasts who will give you good advice.
- They care about the well-being of their animals, so you will have a healthy animal
- They will give you time to observe the animal carefully.
- They will be able to tell you the history and “genealogy” of the baby hamster, will give you its date of birth
- You have the assurance that the hamsters are well fed
- Generally speaking, their hamsters are used to humans and therefore very docile.
Disadvantages of buying from a breeder:
- The price of the hamster will generally be more expensive
- Not necessarily present near you
In an animal shelter
This alternative is essentially motivated by the conviction of doing a good deed, that of freeing an animal which would otherwise remain the rest of its life, which is quite short, in a cage without much attention being paid to it. The vast majority of these animals have been abandoned by their previous owner.
Benefits of buying from an animal shelter:
- The hamster will be free, or purchased for a symbolic price
- You are doing a good deed by saving a little ball of fur!
- Shelter managers know their little ones well and will give you good advice.
Disadvantages of purchasing from an animal shelter:
- You will have no history of your hamster’s previous life
- Your hamster may be docile if it has been used to humans, or fearful if it has not been treated well. It’s double or nothing.
- Hamsters are generally not fed adequately, which can lead to illness later.
- You don’t know exactly how old your hamster will be
At an individual who has baby hamsters
This is a very interesting option for several reasons, and rather easy to access. You will find a lot of ads on well-known classified ads sites 🙂
Advantages of buying from a private individual:
- They will be able to give you the exact age of the little hamster
- They generally care about the well-being of their animals, so you will have a healthy animal
- They will give you time to observe the animal carefully.
- You can check how hamsters are fed to determine if they are healthy
- Their hamsters are used to humans and therefore very docile.
- The price of the hamster will be cheap
- You can check the “opinions” of this seller and therefore its reliability
Disadvantages of buying from a private individual:
- They are not necessarily breeding specialists
- They won’t necessarily be able to give you advice if it’s your first hamster (but maybe they can!)
Before buying a hamster
Decide what type of hamster you want
There are several species of hamsters, but the most common are Russian dwarf hamsters and golden hamsters. Visit our comparison for know how to choose a hamster, and know which one is right for you.
Choose a healthy hamster
When you buy a hamster, look at it carefully to make sure it is healthy. Check that his eyes are clear and bright and that he has no pimples or sores on his body. Also make sure the hamster has a good appetite and drinks plenty of water.
Buy a hamster from a place you trust
Make sure you buy your hamster from a place that takes care of its animals. Avoid pet stores or homes that appear dirty or poorly maintained.
Take the time to choose
Don’t rush when choosing a hamster. Take the time to look at several hamsters before making your choice. If you go to a pet store, it is imperative to ask the pet store if you can take the hamster in your hands to pet it. This will help you know if the hamster is affectionate and if you two will get along well.
Buy the necessary accessories for your hamster
Prepare the lucky lady’s home BEFORE you bring her home. This will be a stressful stage for the small animal, so it must arrive at your home and be there in the best possible conditions. This is an essential step.
You will have understood, the range of choice is wide to find the little hamster that will satisfy you! It’s all about budget, ethics and desires. As far as possible, we recommend that you choose a breeder, who is a priori the best alternative, the one with the most positive points. But now that you have the advantages and disadvantages of each point of sale in hand… it’s up to you to decide 🙂 There is no doubt that you will make the right choice and that you will become friends with your new companion very quickly!