Choosing a healthy hamster without handling it

[Snowyhammies]

I found a hamster to get, however she is very untame and y Un-handleable at the moment. I obviously want to make sure she’s healthy before I bring her home, as she is from a pet shop.. how can I see if she’s healthy? I know she’s eating as she is quite fat.. she will be on a healthier diet once I bring her home, given that I can get her..

Also unrelated but if anyone has any “feminine” cow themed names lmk please!

[Spud]

It's really hard to tell whether hamsters are healthy or not, even if you do handle them briefly. This is because they are prey animals, and try and hide all signs of illnesses, especially when they're stressed.
I would always recommend going to a reputable rescue, if possible, as they are more likely to give you a healthy hamster.
If a rescue isn't an option, are there any 'ethical' breeders near you?
Kikya has made a great hamster health checklist, but this does involve handling: viewtopic.php?t=149
Would the pet shop staff be prepared to handle the hamster for you? Is it worth bringing some thick gloves along? Obviously it goes without saying be very careful not to drop her if she's skittish.

What is the pet shop's policy on vet care for sick animals? Will they cover the cost? Are you prepared to pay vet bills from day one if necessary?

In terms of names:
Daisy or Buttercup (classic British cow names)
Milkshake? (not exactly feminine)
Pancake (after 'country pancake', if you know you know lol)

[Lillias]

You can't rule out all ailments because some aren't visible, and it's even more difficult with a hamster that can't be held. However, you want a hamster with bright clear eyes and normal-looking stool. She should also be active and using all limbs.

Various cows from James Herriot stories:
- Bramble
- Bella
- Blossom
- Rose

[Spud]

You can't rule out all ailments because some aren't visible, and it's even more difficult with a hamster that can't be held. However, you want a hamster with bright clear eyes and normal-looking stool. She should also be active and using all limbs.

Various cows from James Herriot stories:
- Bramble
- Bella
- Blossom
- Rose

Ooh, I love James Herriot- have you seen the TV series too (All Creatures Great and Small)?

[Snowyhammies]

It's really hard to tell whether hamsters are healthy or not, even if you do handle them briefly. This is because they are prey animals, and try and hide all signs of illnesses, especially when they're stressed.
I would always recommend going to a reputable rescue, if possible, as they are more likely to give you a healthy hamster.
If a rescue isn't an option, are there any 'ethical' breeders near you?
Kikya has made a great hamster health checklist, but this does involve handling: viewtopic.php?t=149
Would the pet shop staff be prepared to handle the hamster for you? Is it worth bringing some thick gloves along? Obviously it goes without saying be very careful not to drop her if she's skittish.

What is the pet shop's policy on vet care for sick animals? Will they cover the cost? Are you prepared to pay vet bills from day one if necessary?

In terms of names:
Daisy or Buttercup (classic British cow names)
Milkshake? (not exactly feminine)
Pancake (after 'country pancake', if you know you know lol)

Unfortunately there is no rescues or ethical breeders around that have dwarfs. My only option for a hybrid dwarf is petsmart, as they aren’t available.
They do have a policy where they’ll take the animal back, which I’d do only in a worst-case situation.
The staff didn’t want to handle her, as she’s not tame at all.
I’m prepared to cover reasonable vet costs, however I’d prefer not to be paying to treat an animal that was sick when I got it, as I don’t have a job because I’m a high school student and my parents prefer for me to maintain high mark rather than be distracted.

[Snowyhammies]

Also do female dwarf hamster’s have the same awful scent as a female Syrian when they’re in heat? My old female Syrian smelled absolutely FOUL when she was in heat.. if female dwarfs do too I will try to find a male..
My previous male dwarf didn’t smell bad at all except for when he had an impacted scent gland and neither did my male Syrian until his age-related health issues caught up to him and he couldn’t keep himself clean/had loose poop

[Kikya]

Also do female dwarf hamster’s have the same awful scent as a female Syrian when they’re in heat? My old female Syrian smelled absolutely FOUL when she was in heat.. if female dwarfs do too I will try to find a male..
My previous male dwarf didn’t smell bad at all except for when he had an impacted scent gland and neither did my male Syrian until his age-related health issues caught up to him and he couldn’t keep himself clean/had loose poop

No, they don't go into a smelly heat like Syrians. If you do smell something, there may be a health issue at play.

[alexandra the great]

Ooh, I love James Herriot- have you seen the TV series too (All Creatures Great and Small)?

Sorry to get off the topic...but I absolutely love that showwww

[Snowyhammies]

Also do female dwarf hamster’s have the same awful scent as a female Syrian when they’re in heat? My old female Syrian smelled absolutely FOUL when she was in heat.. if female dwarfs do too I will try to find a male..
My previous male dwarf didn’t smell bad at all except for when he had an impacted scent gland and neither did my male Syrian until his age-related health issues caught up to him and he couldn’t keep himself clean/had loose poop

No, they don't go into a smelly heat like Syrians. If you do smell something, there may be a health issue at play.

Off topic but any constructive criticism for my enclosure? The bedding is deep and there’s sprays there but they’re hard to see bc they’re oat. There’s 2 dishes bc I use a dish for veggies and I’ll be using one for seed mix at the beginning. Do people still use whimzees as chews? I have a ton of chews in there but I’m gonna probably take some of them out bc I don’t need all of them.. there’s a water bottle bc the hamster I’m planning to get drinks out of a water bottle at petsmart but I’ll get her to a dish. She’s quite a big dwarf btw so idk if that changes stuff too much.
She might just be fat tho I swear she’s like twice the size of my old dwarf.
https://ibb.co/x2ZhdX0

[Lillias]

You can't tell when female dwarfs are in heat by odor. They can be less smelly than the males.

Is that a crocheted fruit? You might want to save that for playtime, so you can remove it when it starts to come apart. Hamsters wreck soft items, and loose yarn can pose a hazard.

I would limit the Whimzees, so she doesn't fill up on it. The occasional Whimzee is okay though. Hamsters can be particular about chews, so you may need to try several types to see what she likes.

I would keep the bottle as backup, even if you switch to a bowl. Bowls can tip or fill up with bedding.

Ooh, I love James Herriot- have you seen the TV series too (All Creatures Great and Small)?

I've been watching the new series, but the old series is great too. The books are better though. Great fun as audiobooks (which may be available on Libby or Hoopla via your local library)!