Fancy Hamster

The fancy hamster or fancy bear hamster is a variety of the Syrian hamster having short hairs. Dwarf hamsters with different hair colors and patterns than the natural agouti coat are sometimes referred to as a fancy breed. While the ancestors of today’s Syrian hamsters were brought to the U.K. and U.S. in the 1930s, a wide range of fancy coat colors has been produced through selective breeding over the years.

How Big do They Get

Size: 4-7 inches, females are bigger than males

Weight: About 5-7 ounces

Height: 6-7 inches

Width: About 7 inches

What do They Look Like

Color: Cream, gray, cinnamon, black; black-spotted, white, tan, and black-and-white patterns possible

Fur type: Short and soft; paws and tail are hairless

Care Information

Care Level: Moderate

Provide fresh water at all times, clean the litter box every week and replace it, use wood shavings or shredded paper as litter

Cage Size

Select a cage with minimum dimensions of 24 X 12 X 12 inches; also, give a safe burrowing place by providing bedding that is at least 2 inches deep.

Grooming

Brush its short hairs once a week using a soft-bristle brush, spot-clean its coat with a damp cloth when it is dirty, look for signs of illnesses like dampness around the rear, and excessive hair loss.

Activity

Provide chew toys so that it can gnaw on them and keep its teeth in good condition, and offer a box of fine sand that will allow it to burrow in. Being an active breed, it will also enjoy climbing on blocks and wooden ladders.

Diet

One to two tablespoons of pellets (without husks) a day, a couple of slices of fruits and vegetables such as apples, cherries, strawberries, mango, peaches, cantaloupe, kale, broccoli, bok choy, celery, and sweet potatoes

Cost

While the cost of a fancy bear Syrian hamster usually varies from $5 to $20, the total cost of owning it is average.

Shedding

The fancy hamster tends to shed more in the spring and fall, for which it needs frequent brushing.

Interesting Facts

• The fancy hamsters are identical to their long-haired teddy bear cousins except for their hair length.
• Depending on their color patterns, fancy hamsters are given names like the white polar bear, black-and-white panda bear, tan honey bear, and black-spotted Dalmatian hamsters.

Pictures of Fancy Bear Hamster