My Furbabies :)

Meet Snuggles :)

This is one of my dwarf hamsters who is super snuggly and soft! (which is why I named her “snuggles”) Believe it or not, she used to be gray in color but within a month turned completely white.   She is the sweetest hamster I’ve had yet- every morning she waits by her cage door to be picked up.  She just sits in my hand and waits for me to pet her- SO cute.

Everyone asks me why a grown woman has dwarf hamsters as pets, but since I travel so much, it makes sense to get a low maintenance pet.  Plus I’ve always loved pocket pets (when I was little I begged my dad to let me bring in a squirrel to make it my pet- haha! I guess dwarf hamsters are a nice option)  They’re great pets for adults as they’re very small and fragile, but love attention and are very personable.  The best ones to get are Siberian Dwarfs- the Robo dwarfs are super cute but are too hyper to be held much.

The only downside to owning dwarf hamsters is their short life span:  they only live up to 2 years :(   But if you like small animals and want a pet that is low maintenance and low cost, these would be perfect!

Here’s my other pet:  Spock (because she has big ears)

Spock is super timid and hides if she doesn’t recognize who is at her cage.  She stands on her hind legs like a squirrel and tilts her head when she stares at me- quirky little thing.  She’s super sweet though! It’s funny how each hamster is different and has specific personalities…

This is the cage I use for my hamsters- they’re the easiest to clean and have enough room for the hammies :)  They’re made by Prevue

I have plenty of other tips for hamsters, but I don’t want to sound crazy ;)  If you want any other info on these little furbabies, just let me know!

What pets do you all have?

xoxo,
Marlena

  • http://twitter.com/Triciafitz88 Tricia Fitzgerald

    Those two are so cute!!! :D I have a cat I named Digit because shes polydactl, which means she has extra toes. Shes so quirky and weird, but oh so sweet. 

  • Malena D

    I have three shih tzus. Harley Jo, our first adoption. Sasha, a freebie from a friend. And Bitsy, a three pound wonder with tons of personality! Like you said, all three are shih tzus but they are so very different.

  • Shannon Green

    They are too adorable! I don’t have any pets at the moment, I used to have a white, albino hamster named Marshmallow. He was the cutest little fur ball but one thing that was tough is that he’s all nocturnal and I was young at the time so when he was all active, I was asleep. He died shortly after four or five months, we got him from Petsmart which probably had something to do with it but he lived a nice couple of months. Wasn’t the most friendly though. I’d love to get a small dog in the future or a cat, something. But, as long as I’m living with the mom no pets. These guys are too cute though! 

    • BMarie

      Too funny, I had an albino parakeet growing up named Marshmallow… meanest bird ever!!! The short lifespan could be due to the albinism, they tend to have other underlying health problems.   And yes, Marlena your hamsters are adorable!!  It’s nice to have a little company in the house :)

  • Asraella

    Oh Marlena! They are adorable!  My husband and I have a kitty.  Growing up my family had cats and dogs. My mom and I have done wild animal rescue/care for years-everything from mice, chipmunks, and squirrels to rabbits, raccoon,and opossums. 
    I love that you love your fur babies! You are a kind soul :-)

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1416630007 Lysette Whitt

    Lmao, I love how you call them furbabies! So cute. I have one named Muffin and she is a Winter White and her coat also changes colors. They are so adorable and so easy to take care of! :) This is a pic of my Muffin climbing the roof of her cage lol

  • http://twitter.com/pikashel Shelley

    omg i love hamsters! so i love this post! :)

  • SashaLyz

    I have a pony (Dino) and a American Quarter Horse (Apache).

    • http://twitter.com/MakeupGeek Marlena

      You all are too cute with your pets!  I would love to get a dog too, but have to calm down on the traveling first :(   Lysette, your hamster is so cute! fuzzy little belly! haha ;)  

  • Stephanie

    Hi Marlena, I’m from the UK and I’ve been watching your videos for years and you actually inspired me to get two fur babies. My boyfriend bought me them for valentines day this year :) They are both 11 week old female Russian Dwarves: Pickle and Muffin. Pickle is super hyper and loves to climb and play but doesn’t like being held but Muffin loves being petted and picked up but is so lazy! So thank you for making me want them they are the best present I have ever had and they suit my lifestyle as I am 21 and a full time University student so I need a low maintenance pet. 

    Muffin is on the left with the little white stripe on her shoulder and the other madam is Pickle :) x

  • Claire

    I never knew you had hamsters :O! I have hamsters at my house. At the moment I only have 1 but sometimes I have up to 4 +babies. I also have 4 dogs, 1 cat, 3 rabbits and 2 fish and 2 other hamsters that belong to other people in my house.

    Have you seen the Netflix commercial with the hamsters? If you have, d you know where I could find a cage like the one in the commercial?

    Thanks and luv ya ;)

  • http://twitter.com/MakeupByAnna888 MakeupByAnna888

    I’ve had a number of pets ranging from guinea pigs to rabbits then dogs…  I’m quite scared of hamsters because I was bitten several times… how do you socialize them and how do I prevent them from biting me? =P

  • Eponaries

    I love this post, I’m going to picture you and Snuggles every time I watch your videos now. :)

  • Carey Bennett

    Hey Marlena, cute blog!  My husband and I have a full size Siberian hamster.  He’s an absolute DOLL.  His name is MC Hammy.  He loves to snuggle with us on the couch at night, and has the best personality of any hammy we’ve had.  We also have the same silent spinner and use the same white Carefresh as you!  Love the hammies!!!!! <3

  • Blanca

    I love hamsters too, I think they’re the cutest thing ever :)

  • Gaelle

    Owww they’re so cute! They remind me of my gerbil, his name was Rudy and he lives almost 8 years Oo
    I can’t have pets in my apartment, they’re not allowed…

  • MeghanJM

    Two Weimies (Weimaraners) named Jed and Sadie + two cats named Kitty and Charlie (Charles Xavier). :)

  • Austrianmuggie

    oh no! Now I want to have a hamster again! I had one when I was about 9 or 10! Now I´m 19 lol I´ve been thinking on getting one just a week ago ;)

  • Gemma

    Too cute! My niece has a dwarf hamster called Cookie and she too went from grey to white within a few months! I wonder if it’s a genetic thing in the dwarf hammies? Very sweet little creatures though! :)  

  • Sig-land

    Cuties ^^ I have a dog, a chinchilla and some fishies :) I really love animals :D

  • http://twitter.com/mkbowie10 megan bowermaster

    They are adorable! I don’t know if anyone has commented this yet, but if you like / liked squirrels, you would love a sugar glider! I do not know if they are legal in your state, but they are a small marsupial that is super super lovey and gets very attached to their owner. They are nocturnal, but can be trained to socialize during the day, as long as they stay in a dim area of your home. Their diet is a little involved, and they do best in pairs– but they are awesome pets!  

  • Monica Garrison

    I just love your fur babies!! I used to have 2 Teddy Bear hamsters when I was in high school but once the female had babies she ate them so I vowed never to get hamsters again :/  I do however have 2 dogs – Bailey (R) and Buddy (L). Bailey (my female) is Blue Heeler/Corgi and Buddy (my male) is Pembroke Welsh Corgi. They definitely have their own personalities. To me they are my kids and I love ‘em to pieces but def high maintenance.

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=42417566 Nicole Chabot

    I’m a crazy animal person (mainly horses and cats) – oh yeah the two most “crazy” types out there haha – so I totally understand. They are ADORABLE…I want one to the point where I would go out tomorrow and get one….hmmmm…..(I don’t have any pets right now as I rent my place – another awesome reason to get one)

  • Sarah (PhotoFanatic)

    Awww YAYYY I don’t think it’s wierd for you to have hammies ^.^ I’m almost 23, and I have had a steady stream of hamsters since I was 7 Haha.. All Fancy hamsters, One Black and white one.. I dont know what she was.. She was the only one that yelled at me all the time.. One Teddy, and back to fancy right now. You’re right.. they ALLL have different personalities.. Different attitues.. CoaCoa, my current cutie, he is a wheelaholic. Have never had one that loved the wheel as much as him. They are low maintenance and easy to care for. =) all but 2 of mine have lived 3 to 4 years.. normally lifespan is 2-3.. Guess I’m doing something right. Never had dwarf though. =)  Gotta love hamsters =D
     
    Oh. And I have a Kitty =) Cute, big.. fluffy calico.

  • smk91588

    i used to have a hamster. i named it kelly sue. but later found out it was a boy lol who actually got my sisters female hamster pregnant lmao!

  • just me

    i used to have dwarf hamsters and i love them. i had one that loved getting in my cleavage and stay warm and i could walk around the house doing all the things i wanted to while being accompanied by her that was, she was called mini. the last couple of years i had cats so no more hamsters….

    • just me

      was=way

  • Zofia

    Ha ha, I love animals!! Right now we have 11 dogs!! (I know crazy) .But eight of them are puppies and in the process of selling (two Shih poo’s, and six Shih tzus) .The other three are two Shih tzus and one poodle, all three are adults, two are mommy’s one is the father of the puppies. Also we have three Siberian dwarf hamsters, 2 bunnies (outside), one cat, and a parakeet + a guinea pig. That about cover’s it, we have 19 animals, hope I didn’t confuse you

  • samason1122

    OMG too cute. I just love them! I have a pet ball python. Just like your guys, snakes have such different personalities and it is so much fun getting to know them! She sounds a lot like Spock–very shy if she doesn’t know you, but a is a ham when she feels decides that you wont eat her and she gets comfortable. Don’t worry though, she is a supper picky eater (unfortunately…) and wouldn’t eat a hamster if it climbed on top of her mouth. I love the new site! 

  • Sarasali

    sooo cute! i love hamsters, right now i have 4 cats and a parakeet

  • http://www.facebook.com/people/Médina-Tralala-Chavalavala/659307073 Médina Tralala Chavalavala

    Oooooooooooooooooh! they’re sooo cute! I’ve never had a pet of myself, except for a gold fish, lol! I’m crazy about animals, and mostly a crazy cat lady, but my appartment is too small to have a cat… And now I think I’ve found a pet that would be happy here, reading your article :D

  • Stephanie

    Awww. For awhile in my early 20s, I thought hamsters might make good pets, but the short lifespan really deterred me. I get very attached to my pets so I knew I would be destroyed if they passed every few years.  Last year, my family adopted two male miniature schnauzer dogs named Beatle and Bailey. Beatle is 5, and he is excited and happy and full of beans. Bailey is 7, and he is more quiet and stoic, but once he trusts someone he becomes a big cuddle bug. Yay for pets!

  • http://profile.yahoo.com/HNARRCUANBL3UYSIKBJ7GPB4JU Nicole

    I have a Shih Tzu named Gizmo (named after the gremlin). She’s a crazy one, but also adorable. I was wondering where you get your hamsters at? I have been thinking about getting a dwarf hamster for quite some time now and was trying to figure out the best place to get one.

  • StephieBee

    I have five dogs! Two of which are golden retriever puppies… Talk about a handful…maybe I should switch…lol..j/k!!!

  • LM_K

    My gosh, they’re sooo cute!! :D I used to have cats since I was a baby but my last one died last year :’( I’m still very sad about it and since my boyfriend is allergic to cats we probably won’t have any if we move in together :/ but me might get a dog some time :) )

  • Alex-araiz

    I have two guinea pigs named Theodore and Nikolas. :)

  • Michelle L.

    I want to get my son a small pet and can help with taking care of it. He is 4 years old and we were thinking a small bird but my husband and I are worried he or his sister (2 yrs) will open the cage and it gets away. So these little hamsters would be perfect. I could use any information you have on these cute little animals. I love how cute and easy they are!!
    Thank you
    Michelle

  • Bree Kutcher

    I have a black cat, her name is Sheba. I am 14 and a couple of years ago, I taught her how to smack me in the face….

  • EmilyB

    I want to know more about them. :-) I have 3 cats and 3 fish. We are actually going to get a hammie right now. LOL

  • http://twitter.com/classycallisto Tina Gregorcyk-Blake

    I had an albino dwarf hamster that lived for 2 1/2 years. She was the sweetest. She passed away a little over a month ago :(
    Back home I have 7 dogs and 2 cats. I miss them all terribly :’(

  • Aida Rodriguez

    I have 4 cats! All were adopted from a shelter or inherited by people that couldn’t care for them. My oldest is 10 and her name is Wendy. Then I have Roxie, Jingle Pants, and Miss Cleo. All female and get along (for the most part!) I love my little family!

  • milee

    i  love your dwarf hamsters they are so cute:)i have a cat…his name is pink:P and the funny thing is that he loves eating tomato ketchup don’t know why:P

  • Ксения

    Hi, Marlena! I have a cat, dog and two Triton :)

  • http://twitter.com/chrissyPWNS Christina

    Please tell me that you named one of your furbabies Spock b/c you’re a closet Trekkie – that would make my day!

  • Amanda

    I am such a huge animal lover, but that short life expectancy kills me! (no pun intended) I can’t deal with the sadness that comes from loosing a pet so for now, I don’t have one.

    But I’m dying to get a toy poodle. :] They just make me so so happy!

  • Rachelgrace

    So cute! i’m so jealous to hear that your hamsters are friendly, i also have a dwarf hamster, but he’s a russian dwarf and even though i tried talking to him for one hour a day, he never got used to me and runs and hides anytime i come near his cage. it became so disappointing that i quit trying to tame him, i just feed him and clean his cage now. I bought a rabbit and she is much more personable. 

  • Inspiremakeupdesign

    Hi, Marlena!  My son & I were at the vet when you brought in your hamster.  How is she doing?  Hope all is well… Kim

  • Stelladotcctx

    Where do you buy this type of hamster and would they be ok with a 7 yr old?

  • Kellywesternuniversity

    I want one!!! But don’t they bite?

  • sunny

    Those cute! I remember first seeing them in a old video! :)

    I would love just some cute photos and maybe some videos of them! Adorable!

  • http://twitter.com/Tammelini Tammelini ♋

    Your memory of the squirrel made me laugh, for many years i asked for a squirrel when  i was a kid and I could sit under a tree for a long time in the hope one came down to play with me… 

    your hamster family looks very sweet :D

  • Sam

    awww they r soo cute i had one 2 but she only lived about a month

  • d3vd3v

    Can you please give more information on owning dwarf hamsters? They are so cute and going to school I would love a low maintenance pet other then a fish.

  • La Boule

    Hi Marlena ! I hope everything is doing well in Paris, sorry for this bad weather, I know you LOVE sun ..! Your two pets are lovely, I have 4 cats who will be glad to meet them! today is the birthday of two of them : little black twin sisters who are already 3 years old! They have an older sister who will be 4 years on may 13d an since new Eve we have a new little friend. This kitten decided to live with us, I found it at home one day, asleep on first floor and she always came back when I put her out ! Noone knew her in the neighbourhoud, the vet didn’t find any “id” so…I keep her.
    Have a wonderful time in France , Paris is just a small part of it, the rest is much better !! (french people are divided in two parts : the part that lives in Paris, and the others .. old little war ; guess which part I belong to!)

  • Amy Warren

    I have two pure bred toy poodles. They’re from the same litter but the difference in their personalities is amazing! One is shy and timd, and loves cuddles, and the other is very intelligent and reckless and just can’t stay still!

  • Libbyfoot

    aww theyre so cute and i find it so sweet that you have them as pets! =) you dont sound at all crazy! :) x

  • http://twitter.com/SarahRyznarMUA Sarah Ryznar

    I have two chinchillas! Kinda like giant hamsters lol, Teddy and Sampson are their names and I love them to bits

  • Betty Sandifer

    You probably would like a ferret for a pet. They are super smart, loving, funny and fun to play with, and no they do not smell.

  • Theresa89

    Dear Marlena, I really enjoy your videos and your blogposts. I have goldhamster myself and I can totally understand that you love your little furbabies. 

    I don’t want to sound mean or offensive, but your cage is way too small. Hamsters should each have their own cage. They are not supposed to live in groups. For dwarf hamsters like yours the minimum size for a cage 34 inches x 20 inches x 20 inches.
    Also their wheel needs to have a minimum caliber of 8 inches. 

    Since I am from Germany I don’t know any American Hamster info homepage, but here is a link to the most popular German one and maybe Google translate will help you with it.

    http://www.diebrain.de/zw-index.html

    Best,
    Theresa

  • Jcampbellnotary

    hi – my ten year old son just got a dwarf and loves him!  What food treats do you give your hamsters?  Ours loves banana chips and sunflower seeds, but we’d love more ideas.  Thanks

  • Rose Nobs

    Omg I’m so jealous your dwarf hamster lets you cuddle with her! I had one and it was so terrified of me =( My old hamster would follow me around in his rolly ball and bang into my feet when he wanted to go back into his cage =) Have fun with your hammies!

  • mel

    How much a month do you spend on them? Would you say they are good with kids?

  • Bcergnul

    marlena how do you get your furbabies to be so friendly and snuggly? i have had a couple dwarf hamsters and they did not want to be handled at ALL.

  • Kimberly Risk

    I have a little 7 lb Yorkie named Max-Ernest who has wrapped my heart around him. He is my first pet ever.
    Yours Look so cute!!!
    Happy pet owning.
    Kimmi

  • Eli

    Ahhhh, they are so cute!!!!! I have two rats (I know, everybody hates them, but they are adorable if you don’t look at their tails. +, they don’t bite), two sisters: Squwishy (cause she’s shy and squwishes into a corner) and Riley (total opposite, the outgoing one, lol). They are my babies!!!!

  • Jen

    Ha! I used to call my hamsters hammies too. I had a dwarf and a teddy bear, and they don’t mix. The teddy bear was a big bully. Your hammies are adorable though. :)

  • http://twitter.com/HeyLauraaa LauraMondragon♔

    i always had hamsters growing up, but its really sad when they die. do you have any tips on them dieing could i put it to sleep next time?

    and i would love to see how you take care of them i use to give mine pieces of fruits.

  • NadineJD

    Another awesome low maintenance pet is a hedgehog. My bf and I had to choose a low maintenance one because we aren’t home for most of the day. We call our hedgehog Mello (Caramello) cause she is a Caramel hedgehog. In fact, if we went off on a day trip, we would just leave her in our bathroom with enough food and water and she would be happy :) I used to own a Syrian hammy named Cliffy but he died 6 months after getting him :(

  • joyful_april

    I enjoy your writing style. It is so friendly and interesting. Thanks for sharing your life with us. I have 2 dogs and a cat. :-)

  • Kylee Proffett

    Hey Marlena! You’re hamsters are so cute:) when I was younger(I’m 17 now) I had an albino hamster that I named Snowball. I loved her! Now I have maltese-shih-tzu mix named Eli (Hes my boy<3), a yellow lab-anatolian shepherd mix named Chester and 21 chickens! I named on Birdzilla:)

  • Gail

    Hi Marlena, I have a puggle named Mama Rosie. She likes to role over and have her belly rubbed.

  • gennie hamilton

    Well at least you manage to keep their cages clean! Just saying lol.

  • WrkOutMami

    I had two Dwarf Hamsters, both boys I named them Bonner and Clyde (Bonner was smaller than Clyde). One died a year after buying him (Clyde) then Bonner lived 3 years! Then died last year :( … I was 19 when I got them for X-Mas…the moral of the story is: they die too soon and it’s easy to get attached. I might wait until my children are old enough to own a pet and they will HAVE to get Dwarf Hamsters! LOVE them!

  • Marissa Leaf

    Hey Marlena! My husband and I, and our 2 year old son, needed a new pet and we found someone giving away a free hamster. (robo dwarf-peanut :-) ) So we thought why not? I didnt know much about them until after we got him. I can see now how energetic and hyper he is! Also if he jumps out of my hands it takes an hour, maybe two, to catch him again! Next time im going to make sure that I get one more tame and relaxed! Anyways, I would love if you could find a bit of time to make a hamster video! it doesnt have to be long, but I would really appreciate it!
    I’ve watched your videos for a long time now! I cant remember its been quite a few years now! Even when you had short hair before you lost weight I LOVED watching everything you did! I’ve followed you through your whole journey and want you to know how much I look up to you!
    Thanks for eveything you do!!
    -Marissa

  • Marissa Leaf

    Hey Marlena! My husband and I, and our 2 year old son, needed a new pet and we found someone giving away a free hamster. (robo dwarf-peanut :-) ) So we thought why not? I didnt know much about them until after we got him. I can see now how energetic and hyper he is! Also if he jumps out of my hands it takes an hour, maybe two, to catch him again! Next time im going to make sure that I get one more tame and relaxed! Anyways, I would love if you could find a bit of time to make a hamster video! it doesnt have to be long, but I would really appreciate it!
    I’ve watched your videos for a long time now! I cant remember its been quite a few years now! Even when you had short hair before you lost weight I LOVED watching everything you did! I’ve followed you through your whole journey and want you to know how much I look up to you!
    Thanks for eveything you do!!
    -Marissa

  • Ela

    I had one too but one day while I was out he accidentaly jumped in a recipient full of water and drowned :(

    Now I have 4 dogs,a parrot,an australian zebra and a guinea pig.

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Marlena is the founder and CEO of Makeup Geek - a cosmetic education website and upstart makeup brand.
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