Hamsters are rodents belonging to the subfamily Cricetinae, which contains 19 species classified in seven genera. They have become established as popular small pets. The best-known species of hamster is the golden or Syrian hamster, which is the type most commonly kept as a pet. Other hamster species commonly kept as pets are the three species of dwarf hamster, Campbell's dwarf hamster, the winter white dwarf hamster and the Roborovski hamster.

हैम्स्टर्स (Hamsters), क्रिसेटिना (Cricetinae) उपपरिवार से संबंधित कृंतक हैं। उपपरिवार में लगभग 25 प्रजातियां होती हैं जिन्हें छः या सात पीढ़ियों में वर्गीकृत किया गया है।