Hamsters are rodents with cheek pouches that extend from their molars to their shoulders. They use these pouches to temporarily store food and to carry it back to their burrows for storage, hence their name "hamster." They are also commonly called cheek rats, hamster-carrying rats, or ground squirrels. There are seven genera and eighteen species of hamsters, mainly distributed in Asia, with three genera and eight species found in China, and a few species in Europe.
Today, many hamsters are kept as family pets because they are easy to breed and are often used in animal experiments. Compared to larger cats and dogs that require more space, hamsters require very little living space, making them very popular pets for modern city dwellers, especially for families with limited space.
So, which hamsters are easy to care for and unlikely to bite? We've compiled a list of 10 of the gentlest hamster breeds, including the three-lined wild-type, pudding hamster, purple hamster, golden hamster, silver fox hamster, milk tea hamster, and Shih Tzu bear hamster. Come learn more about these docile little pets!
1. Three-line wild color (gentle temperament/affordable and good quality)
Which type of hamster is the easiest to keep and doesn't bite? The answer is the three-lined wild-type hamster. This is the most common type of three-lined hamster, often compared to the first-lined hamster, and is the easiest to distinguish between beginners and experienced hamster keepers. The three-lined hamster is also often called the "three-lined wild-type hamster." It's called "wild-type" because this hamster is not a newly bred species, but rather a result of artificial breeding based on wild hamsters.
Wild-caught hamsters are particularly active, healthy, docile, and easy to care for. In addition, they are relatively affordable, making them ideal for first-time hamster owners.
2. Pudding Mouse (Adorable/Good-tempered/Easy to handle)
When it comes to the most docile hamsters, the Pudding Hamster is undoubtedly a popular choice. Pudding Hamsters have pure yellow fur that resembles pudding, hence their name. They have big, round eyes and are incredibly cute. Pudding Hamsters are gentle, friendly, and easy to care for, making them perfect pets for beginners or children.
Most pudding hamsters are very affectionate and enjoy interacting with their owners. While a few may be less fond of human contact, they generally won't bite. It's important to note that due to genetic reasons, it's advisable to avoid getting female pudding hamsters pregnant.
3. Purple Hamster (Beautiful and gentle/Good health)
Purple hamsters are widely recognized as one of the most docile hamsters. As their name suggests, purple hamsters possess captivating light purple fur, making them instantly pleasing to the eye and easy to fall in love with. They are a bred variant of the three-lined hamster, exhibiting superior health and disease resistance.
Purple hamsters have lighter fur than striped hamsters, appearing gray with a subtle bluish-purple sheen in sunlight, making them very attractive. Their dorsal stripe is also less pronounced. They are very friendly, gentle, and easy to get along with. Compared to striped hamsters, purple hamsters are more docile and quiet. While slightly less active, they particularly enjoy quiet rest, making them a suitable pet for homes.
4. Golden Hamster (High intelligence/Gentle temperament)
If you're looking for a hamster that won't bite, the golden hamster is a great choice. Also known as the Syrian hamster, it gets its name from its bear-like appearance. Adult golden hamsters weigh approximately 0.2 kg, and after years of breeding, they now come in over 40 different colors, with cream being the most common.
Golden hamsters come in various coat types, including short, long, satin, and curly wavy fur. They are intelligent, gentle, affectionate, and easy to care for. However, it's crucial to control the feeding frequency, as larger food particles can choke and cause problems like oxygen deprivation and shock.
5. Silver Fox Hamster (Cute appearance/Gentle temperament)
Among the list of the least biting hamsters, I especially love the Silver Fox Hamster. Generally speaking, Silver Fox Hamsters become very affectionate after being kept for a while. They are omnivorous and will accept almost any food; they are not picky eaters. A characteristic of Silver Fox Hamsters is that they spend a lot of time sleeping each day, averaging up to 14 hours of sleep. They also have very sensitive hearing.
Compared to other hamsters, the Silver Fox hamster is relatively more timid and docile, and usually won't bite unprovoked. Once they become familiar with their owner's scent, they can interact and play happily with them. However, it's best to avoid disturbing them frequently and allow them sufficient rest time.
6. Milk Tea Hamster (Gentle temperament/Cute and silly)
Milk tea hamsters are another type of hamster with a gentle temperament and are not prone to biting. Their fur is a milk tea color, and their soft, cute appearance is very endearing. Milk tea hamsters are relatively lazy and do not react as keenly to their surroundings as golden or silver fox hamsters. Although they are not as affectionate as these hamsters, they are more docile and even somewhat憨厚 (honest and simple).
Milk tea hamsters, like pudding hamsters, are a genetically modified breed bred in captivity, not a wild species. They are not only easy to care for but also very docile and unlikely to bite, making them an ideal hamster breed for beginners.
7. Shih Tzu Bear (Gentle temperament / Gorgeous fur)
The Shih Tzu hamster is a long-haired hamster bred from the Golden Hamster. Compared to purebred Shih Tzus, the Shih Tzu's fur is more evenly distributed, appearing long overall rather than just in localized areas. Their fur is also more vibrant and captivating, making them considered among the most beautiful and attractive long-haired hamsters.
Besides their adorable appearance, the Shih Tzu hamster is not much different from other long-haired hamsters in terms of temperament, maintaining a gentle nature that makes them very popular. However, special care should be taken when purchasing a Shih Tzu hamster to avoid being cheated or overcharged by unscrupulous sellers.
8. Amber Hamster (Non-aggressive / Highly adaptable)
Amber hamsters have fur that ranges from yellow to brownish-yellow, displaying a beautiful amber color that is quite captivating. They have red eyes, a gentle and affectionate temperament, and are very adorable pets. Amber hamsters are generally timid, rarely aggressive, and highly adaptable. They are usually very docile unless mistreated.
Once amber hamsters have accepted their owner, they become more affectionate and docile, allowing the owner to easily pet or pick them up. Sometimes, they will even run onto their owner and play together.
9. Golden Fox Hamster (Gentle personality / High interactivity)
Golden fox hamsters are an excellent choice due to their gentle temperament. They are a breed developed from crossbreeds of silver fox hamsters and pudding hamsters. Golden fox hamsters have a clean and beautiful appearance, inheriting the advantages of their predecessors. They are gentle, highly interactive, and easy to care for, making them very suitable as pets for beginners or children.
Raising golden fox hamsters is very simple; just provide them with food, water, and a running wheel, and they will grow up healthy.
10. Black Bear Hamster (Gentle temperament / Easy to care for)
Black bear hamsters are most closely related to white bear hamsters, and both are variations of the Common Red hamster in different fur colors. They are usually slightly smaller than other Common Red hamsters, and their fur ranges from black to dark brown, sometimes even appearing reddish in sunlight. The fur on their head, neck, and limbs is white.
Black bear hamsters are typically nocturnal animals, preferring to hide and avoid being exposed during the day. Therefore, they don't like to be disturbed, especially when resting, and pet owners should be mindful of this. Although black bear hamsters are generally docile and playful, they may exhibit some aggression towards strangers.
