Syrian or dwarf hamster: which should you get?

Syrian vs dwarf hamster: the differences at a glance

"Dwarf" covers four species: Campbell's, winter white (also called Russian white or Siberian), Roborovski and, in most guides, the Chinese hamster, which is not a true dwarf but is small. The RSPCA lists these with the Syrian as the five species most kept as pets. Here is how they compare.

Lengths, weights and lifespans are from the National Hamster Council, the MSD Veterinary Manual and PetMD; cage sizes, bar spacing and food amounts from Woodgreen. Woodgreen gives Chinese hamsters a 1 cm bar spacing, but the National Hamster Council warns they squeeze through bars sold for other hamsters, so we would treat them like dwarfs.

Is a Syrian hamster a good pet?

Yes, for an adult or an older child with adult help, who is up in the evenings. Syrians are the largest pet species, and Woodgreen says they can be easier to handle because of their size. The National Hamster Council says they can become very attached to their owners, and they need a lot of attention.

The trade-offs are the same as for any hamster. They sleep through the day and wake in the evening, which Humane World for Animals says suits night owls rather than people who want a daytime pet. They live about 18 months to 3 years. And a Syrian needs more kit than most people expect: a big cage, deep bedding and a large wheel. Our guide to hamsters as pets covers whether a hamster suits your home.

Are Syrian hamsters friendly, and do they like to be held?

Most become friendly with patient, daily handling, but few enjoy being held for long. Woodgreen says that after one to two weeks of calm, gentle handling, most hamsters are happy to be picked up and hand-fed. PetMD notes hamsters do not usually enjoy being held for long periods, so short, regular sessions work better than long ones.

• Let them come to you. The RSPCA says to let your hamster approach your hands in its own time.
• Scoop, do not grab. Cup both hands under your hamster and lift it a few inches above a table or the floor. Woodgreen says Syrians feel threatened by a hand hovering over them.
• Handle when it is awake. Evening, once your hamster is up and about, is the time. A woken hamster is a grumpy one.

Our guide on how to tame and handle a hamster takes you through it step by step.

What not to do with a Syrian hamster

Most problems with Syrians come from a few common mistakes. Avoid these.

• Do not house two Syrians together, even siblings or in a big cage
• Do not wake your hamster to play, or reach down over it from above
• Do not use a wheel smaller than 30 cm (12 in), or a wire or saucer wheel
• Do not use cotton wool or fluffy bedding, which can wrap round legs
• Do not use a multi-level cage made of small linked pods and tubes
• Do not use an exercise ball; Woodgreen advises against them
• Do not leave your hamster out of its cage unwatched or overnight, as the RSPCA warns
• Do not put the cage in direct sun, by a radiator or in a draught

Russian dwarf hamsters: Campbell's, winter whites and hybrids

A "Russian hamster" or "Russian dwarf" in a UK pet shop is usually a Campbell's and winter white hybrid, says Woodgreen, unless it comes from a good pedigree breeder. The two species look alike. The National Hamster Council says colours such as mandarin, orange, brown and mushroom are hybrids, not pure winter whites, and warns against breeding the two together because the young can inherit health problems.

A Russian white hamster is the winter white. The National Hamster Council says it comes from Kazakhstan and Siberia and is named for the white winter coat that hides it in the snow. Both Campbell's and winter whites can become hand-tame, says Woodgreen, though they are quick to handle at first. We share our home with a dwarf hamster ourselves.

Roborovski hamsters: the one to watch

Roborovskis are the smallest and fastest pet hamster, at 4.5 to 5 cm (2 in) and 20 to 25 g (1 oz), according to the National Hamster Council. It says they rarely bite but are very wriggly and best kept as a pet to watch rather than to handle. Woodgreen agrees they are not suited to regular handling, especially by young children.

A Roborovski hamster cage needs the same 100 × 50 cm (40 × 20 in) floor as any other, and the National Hamster Council recommends glass tanks over mouse cages, because tanks hold the deep bedding Robos need to dig. The Bunny Jackpot Foundation suggests the sand area for a Robo should take up a third of the enclosure. They love to run, so a 21 cm (8 in) wheel or larger, light enough to spin easily, is a must.

Syrian hamster cage size

A Syrian hamster cage needs at least 100 × 50 cm (40 × 20 in) of unbroken floor and 50 cm (20 in) of height, according to PDSA and Woodgreen, with room for 25 cm (10 in) of bedding. Woodgreen adds that female Syrians may need more room still. Older figures such as 80 × 50 cm are still quoted, but we follow the newer, larger guidance.

Dwarf cages have the same floor size. The differences are a lower minimum height of 40 cm (16 in) and bars no more than 7 mm (¼ in) apart, because the National Hamster Council says young and small dwarfs squeeze through the bars of a standard Syrian cage. A glass tank or barless enclosure suits dwarfs well. Our guide to hamster cage size has the full detail, and our pick of the best hamster cages, including large cages for Syrians, shows models we would look at.

Syrian hamster cage setup

Set up a Syrian cage in layers, heavy things first. This order follows Woodgreen and PDSA advice.

1. Place heavy items first. Woodgreen says to put large, heavy toys and platforms in before the bedding, so nothing sinks or collapses on your hamster.
2. Fill with deep bedding. At least 25 cm (10 in) across much of the floor, as PDSA advises, pressed down lightly so tunnels hold.
3. Stand the wheel on a platform. A 30 cm (12 in) solid upright wheel, on a platform or the base so it stays level.
4. Add a multi-chamber hide and more. The Bunny Jackpot Foundation suggests at least three hides, with entrances of 7 cm (2¾ in) or more for Syrians.
5. Add a sand bath. A glass dish of hamster-safe sand, never dust.
6. Scatter food. Sprinkle part of the daily food through the bedding so your Syrian forages.

Our hamster cage setup guide has layouts that work, and our hamster wheel size guide explains why size matters so much for Syrians.

Syrian hamster food vs dwarf hamster food

Both eat the same kind of diet: a good hamster food, plus small amounts of fresh vegetables. The difference is how much. Woodgreen says a Syrian needs about 10 g (one tablespoon) of dry food a day, and Chinese, Campbell's, winter white and Roborovski hamsters about 5 to 8 g (one teaspoon). PDSA suggests a teaspoon or two of fresh fruit, vegetables and herbs a day.

Dwarfs prone to diabetes need sugary fruit kept rare and low-sugar vegetables instead. Our hamster diet guide covers daily feeding, and our list of what hamsters can eat covers what is safe and what is not.

How expensive is a Syrian hamster?

The hamster is the cheap part. Humane World for Animals says adoption fees are usually low, but puts the habitat alone at $50 to $100 upfront and yearly food, bedding and vet care at $150 to $300 (as of November 2026). Syrians and dwarfs cost much the same to keep, though a Syrian needs a larger, pricier wheel. Our guide to what a hamster costs breaks it down, and our page on where to get a hamster covers rescues and good breeders. If you still cannot decide, our guide to hamster breeds, types and colours goes deeper, and everything else is in our complete hamster care guide.