Syrian hamster (golden hamster) information – care, cage, food & behavior

Syrian hamster (golden hamster) – care, cage, food & behavior

The Syrian hamster ( Mesocricetus auratus )—also known as the golden hamster—is the largest species among domestic hamsters. It originates from Syria and southern Turkey, where it digs impressive burrows in dry areas and clay soils. Indoors, it's a wonderful observational animal: curious, active, and often surprisingly intelligent, as long as you respect its rhythm and natural behavior. DRD Rodent Shop® has been a specialist since 2011 and helps you choose based on welfare, safety, and practical feasibility.

Head-body length: up to 18 cm
Weight (guideline): up to ± 180 g (females often slightly heavier)
Life expectancy: 2 – 3 years

Directly to the Hamster shop: Hamster (all) · Hamster cages & enclosures · Hamsterscaping · Bedding · Exercise wheels · Hamster food

What is a Syrian hamster (golden hamster)?

A golden hamster is simply another name for the Syrian hamster. The name refers to the golden wild color in which the species was originally known. There are now many color and coat variations, including the well-known teddy hamster (long-haired).

Behavior & diurnal rhythm (nocturnal)

Syrian hamsters are truly nocturnal. They sleep during the day and only come out late at night to forage, run, and dig. Females are often more active than males. Don't wake your hamster during the day; this causes stress and can lead to grumpy behavior or biting.

Tip for expectations (especially with children): choose the Syrian hamster especially if you enjoy seeing him in the evening and building up contact in a relaxed manner.

Can you keep golden hamsters together?

No. Golden hamsters are strictly solitary. Keeping them together almost always leads to stress, territorial conflicts, and fighting.

How big should a cage be for a hamster?

For a Syrian hamster, we recommend a practical lower limit of 100 x 50 cm (larger is clearly better), with deep, diggable substrate. This provides space for areas such as sleeping, foraging, running, sand bathing, and digging.

View suitable accommodations: Hamster cages & accommodations

What is the difference between a Syrian hamster and a dwarf hamster?

• The Syrian hamster is larger in size.
• Often quieter and easier for many people to get used to slowly (with the right approach).
• The Syrian hamster is always solitary.
• Typically needs a larger exercise wheel and larger houses than dwarf hamsters.

Tame and familiarize (handle calmly)

The key is peace and quiet. Let your hamster get used to its habitat and your presence first. Syrian hamsters don't perceive depth like we do, so always work low and safely when handling them. For children, always supervise them and prefer short, positive interactions to excessive handling.

• Let your hamster settle for the first few days (rest, routine, do not disturb).
• Start by hand feeding: keep your hand still and the hamster will choose for itself.
• Do not lift until your hamster sits relaxed on your hand.
• Make it “hamster-proof”: handle low above a soft surface.

Tip: Syrian hamsters often love pumpkin seeds as a small reward.

Housing & hamster scaping

A good enclosure revolves around deep digging, safe running, and hiding. Bar cages are often discouraged because some Syrian hamsters may chew the bars out of boredom or stress. An enclosure with plenty of substrate and stable furnishings (such as a terrarium) makes it easier to foster true hamster behavior.

Hamsterscaping is ideal for creating zones and routes that make your hamster feel safer and more active.

In warm weather, ventilation is important. A temperature around 20–24°C and humidity below 70% is a practical guideline. Measurements can be made with a hygrometer .

House for a Syrian hamster

Syrian hamsters need larger homes than dwarf hamsters. We recommend at least two homes (a sleeping area + an extra hiding/storage area), plus tunnels and hiding routes. A larger home also helps them build up a supply of food; this is part of their natural behavior.

View: Hamster houses

Running wheel for a Syrian hamster

A running wheel is essential, as Syrian hamsters run a lot at night. Always choose a wheel with a closed running surface (safe for paws and nails) and sufficient diameter to keep their backs nice and straight.

Guideline: 28–30 cm diameter (preferably 30 cm) and a closed running surface .

View: Hamster exercise wheels

Bedding for golden hamsters (deep digging)

The substrate should be diggable: your hamster should be able to create burrows and holes that remain intact as much as possible. A deep layer usually works best for Syrian hamsters (guideline: 20–30 cm ).

Examples of diggable soils: humus , hollow sand , and fiber-rich soils such as cotton and cotton fiber . Many people make a strong mix, for example , cotton and hemp fiber or cotton and wood fiber . A combination with wood fiber can also work well.

View all in: Hamster Bedding

Teddy hamster: what is it and what does its coat require?

A teddy hamster is a long-haired variant of the Syrian hamster. Its soft fur makes it resemble a small teddy bear. Long-haired hamsters require a little extra attention: check regularly for dirt or tangles and gently assist if necessary (a small comb or soft toothbrush often works well).

Sand bath

A sand bath helps with coat care (degreasing) and often has a cooling effect. Sand can be drying: if skin irritation or excessive scratching occurs, it's wise to temporarily remove the sand bath.

View: Hamster sand & sand bath

Hibernation / torpor: recognize and prevent

If the environment becomes too cold for a prolonged period (often referred to as below 15°C ), a hamster can enter a kind of torpor. A hamster in torpor feels cold and may appear lethargic or stiff. Try to prevent this by maintaining a stable temperature in the enclosure. If you are unsure whether your hamster is in torpor or seriously ill, contact a veterinarian.

Syrian hamsters are nest builders

Always provide enough nesting material (practically 15–25 grams ) so your hamster can build a warm and safe nest. Choose material that is soft, absorbent, and easy to work with.

Preferably choose nesting material that is easy to tear and handle. Avoid loose, stringy cotton (nest wadding) and materials with long fibers.

View: Hamster nesting material

Syrian hamster (golden hamster) food

Hamsters are seed eaters. Their diet consists primarily of seeds, supplemented with a small amount of plant-based components (such as herbs) and animal proteins (such as insects) as part of a balanced diet. A fun way to encourage natural behavior is foraging: scatter (some of) the food around the enclosure so your hamster has to search for it.

Useful categories: Hamster food · Herbs & seeds · Animal proteins

Incisors grow through (gnawing material helps)
Teeth don't grow
Digestion: relatively limited processing of fiber-rich, "raw" components compared to, for example, rabbits

In practice, a varied mix based on seeds and appropriate supplements usually works best. Not sure what's right for your hamster (age, activity level, selective eater)? Focus on the composition, variety, and portion size, rather than relying on a single number.

Gnawing material to wear down the teeth

Syrian hamsters have continuously growing incisors. Therefore, they should always have suitable gnawing material. Some hamsters chew vigorously, others less so; offer it as standard so your hamster can choose for itself.

Gnawing wood helps keep growing incisors at a healthy length. Therefore, offer it regularly in the enclosure.

View: Hamster gnawing material

Recognizing dental problems

For example, watch out for: enthusiastically wanting to grab food but not eating, drooling, a wet chin, weight loss, or visibly abnormal teeth. If in doubt, it's wise to consult a veterinarian.

Health & signals

Syrian hamsters are generally healthy animals. Common concerns include dental problems and intestinal problems (such as diarrhea or wet fur around the back). Good nutrition, hygiene, and a low-stress environment make a big difference.

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