Have a hamster? do you regret it?

[Lorix2]

Hello,

My DS10 has been asking for a hamster for quite some time now. He loves animals. He wants a "friend" to take care of in his room and keep him company.

I've read alot about hamster care/feeding/taming, but I'm wondering how unhealthy are they to have? How exactly do you clean the cage/tank when the hamster is in it?

He wants to be able to tame it and bond with it.

Do you have any regrets owning one?

Please share your experience, thanks alot.

 

[jenrose66]

I had a russian dwarf hamster when I was 12. Me and DH also had a regular hamster that lived about 4 years when we first moved in together. I loved my hamsters. They are easy to take care of and cute. I would just wash my hands when I was done with them and they would be fine. I think you bond with them to a certain extent...You clean the cage about once a week by just changing the bedding, then just use a mild natural soap and rinse with water about once a month on the actual cage to keep it from getting gross.

 

[ReggieB]

As with any animal, it's probably best to wash your hands after petting. Also between different pets too (for their health safety) I used to spot clean (clean away any visible poop) the cage once a day, then clean out proper once a week. If you get one of those hamster balls you could have him exercising in that while his home gets cleaned out (make sure someone's keeping an eye on him)

The biggest problem I had with my hamster was that he was a regular Houdini. I had one of those plastic cages with lots of levels and tubes. I would not recommend those. Through some amazing feat of hamster strength he would escape pretty regularly. I ended up having to duct tape the whole system. Best bit of his escape, was that you could always guarantee he would turn up by the toilet around 1am as my Dad was going to bed. I'm not sure who was scared more.

Also don't forget that they are nocturnal (hence, I guess the nighttime trips to the toilet of my little guy) So he might get a little noisy in your kids room.

They are a great pet to have though. Don't squeese to hard, they have this strange bogglly eye reaction, which can't be healthy. I have a no cage rule in my house, much to DS7's horror. It's more to do with the fact that I know I'll end up cleaning him out (the pet, not DS7, though probably that too!!)

 

[Lorix2]

I had a russian dwarf hamster when I was 12. Me and DH also had a regular hamster that lived about 4 years when we first moved in together. I loved my hamsters. They are easy to take care of and cute. I would just wash my hands when I was done with them and they would be fine. I think you bond with them to a certain extent...You clean the cage about once a week by just changing the bedding, then just use a mild natural soap and rinse with water about once a month on the actual cage to keep it from getting gross.

I'm glad they are not high maintenance animals. I read you should wash your hands before and after for continued good health of the hamster. Thanks for your help

 

[Lorix2]

As with any animal, it's probably best to wash your hands after petting. Also between different pets too (for their health safety) I used to spot clean (clean away any visible poop) the cage once a day, then clean out proper once a week. If you get one of those hamster balls you could have him exercising in that while his home gets cleaned out (make sure someone's keeping an eye on him)

The biggest problem I had with my hamster was that he was a regular Houdini. I had one of those plastic cages with lots of levels and tubes. I would not recommend those. Through some amazing feat of hamster strength he would escape pretty regularly. I ended up having to duct tape the whole system. Best bit of his escape, was that you could always guarantee he would turn up by the toilet around 1am as my Dad was going to bed. I'm not sure who was scared more.

Also don't forget that they are nocturnal (hence, I guess the nighttime trips to the toilet of my little guy) So he might get a little noisy in your kids room.

They are a great pet to have though. Don't squeese to hard, they have this strange bogglly eye reaction, which can't be healthy. I have a no cage rule in my house, much to DS7's horror. It's more to do with the fact that I know I'll end up cleaning him out (the pet, not DS7, though probably that too!!)

I did tell DS that it would be noisy at night, but he sleeps like a rock. I have a 10 gal tank that I wanted to put him in with a screened cover. Hoping it wouldn't escape from that - I think I would freak like your dad

DS wants the ball for him and told him he'd have to close is door everytime or the poor thing would go for a very bumpy and tragic ride down the stairs if he wasn't watching it closely. Thanks for your help too.

 

[teacups]

We had hamsters a long while ago, and yes I regretted it. They are OK, but the smell is not something I could stand. Same with cats though... I'm weird. I have horses and dogs and they dont bother me a bit! Go figure. Everyone is so different when it comes to animals. Research it as much as possible (like this post here. Great idea!) before you get any pet. I know at our local library they have an educational type video on Hamsters. I just saw it on the shelf last week.

 

[Magic Mom]

DS wants the ball for him and told him he'd have to close is door everytime or the poor thing would go for a very bumpy and tragic ride down the stairs if he wasn't watching it closely. Thanks for your help too.

Nibbles the rat took that ride yesterday...but she is OK, poor thing. ooopps

 

[dimimi]

OH MY...we are in the minority. We did not enjoy our hamsters! Their cage needed to be cleaned a lot! They use the bathroom throughout the tubes, in your hand, in the little ball they run around in...etc.! We would NOt GET ANOTHER ONE!

 

[christiane]

I much prefer Guinea Pigs. They are larger and easier for young children to play with. They don't bite like hamsters and are much more social.

GP's can live to be 6 years of age, hamsters barely live to 1.5 years. This is hard on young children to lose pets so quickly.

Truthfully, I'm not a big advocate of caged pets. I don't think they have a great quality of life and are often ignored once the novelty wears off. But if your son is set on a small pet and the family is committed to its care then I would think about a GP rather than a hamster.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I have not owned one but my bff growing up did. She had more than one and they had babies. The hamster ate the babies. No I am not kidding. I will never ever ever ever own one. I would need therapy after that.

 

[Handbag Lady]

We've had a few hamsters in our home.

I've loved and adored all of them. They each have a personality, some will bond, some won't.

The do nibble, but you can handle them enough and they won't bite after a while. We had one girl who would run when we called her name! So cute!

Another knew our scent, so if we blew gently into their tank, one would just wake up and run to the "elevator" -which was a play TV they sat in. They'd sit inside and we'd lift them out using the play TV.

Running balls are great! Please enclose them.

A 10-gallon tank with a lid would be perfect. Make sure the water bottle can hang from the lid and make sure they can't climb up anything to get to the lid. Even the water bottle.

They like toys and things to chew. A toilet paper roll was one of their favorite things.

Nights: They are nocturnal and love to make noise and wake you at night. They can be active, but after a while, they can get used to being quiet if you don't talk or play with them at night. Do make sure you have time for them so they get attention.

Clean the tank once a week and you won't have a smell. If they develop a "pee area" you can take out that section of bedding more often to keep the smell even less annoying.

 

[Tuffcookie]

Hamsters are great! I have had my share of hamsters over the years.

It is important to get a young hamster. (The younger, the better). That way you can get them used to being handled. Even so, in the beginning expect to get nipped ocassionally. Just think how you'd feel if somebody big grabbed you out of your home! A good way to minimize this is to use a soft voice and let him sniff your hand (perhaps offering a treat), before actually picking him/her up.

As for cages...Those habitrails can be expensive and look like alot of fun for the hamsters but stay away from those! They are made of plastic and can absorb odors. Plus, I've found from experience, that hamsters can chew through the plastic! Also, if you have too many tubes coming out of the cage the hamster will run in there to avoid being handled. I much prefer a glass aquarium with just a few tubes connected. Much easier to clean! You should replace all bedding chips once a week. If you do that, odor will not be a problem.

TC

 

[Lorix2]

I much prefer Guinea Pigs. They are larger and easier for young children to play with. They don't bite like hamsters and are much more social.

GP's can live to be 6 years of age, hamsters barely live to 1.5 years. This is hard on young children to lose pets so quickly.

Truthfully, I'm not a big advocate of caged pets. I don't think they have a great quality of life and are often ignored once the novelty wears off. But if your son is set on a small pet and the family is committed to its care then I would think about a GP rather than a hamster.

He has his heart set on a hammy. I thought of the novelty wearing off, but I don't think that will be the case with him. He's a "hands on" kind of kid and loves to be in charge of specific duties.

 

[Lorix2]

I have not owned one but my bff growing up did. She had more than one and they had babies. The hamster ate the babies. No I am not kidding. I will never ever ever ever own one. I would need therapy after that.

I read that's common actually. It's either to protect them from starvation or others - or that a human scent is present from handling the babies too young and the mommy doesn't like it.

 

[Lorix2]

Nights: They are nocturnal and love to make noise and wake you at night. They can be active, but after a while, they can get used to being quiet if you don't talk or play with them at night. Do make sure you have time for them so they get attention.

Is it ok to socialize the hamster during the day?

 

[Sandy321]

I much prefer Guinea Pigs. They are larger and easier for young children to play with. They don't bite like hamsters and are much more social.

GP's can live to be 6 years of age, hamsters barely live to 1.5 years. This is hard on young children to lose pets so quickly.

Truthfully, I'm not a big advocate of caged pets. I don't think they have a great quality of life and are often ignored once the novelty wears off. But if your son is set on a small pet and the family is committed to its care then I would think about a GP rather than a hamster.

ITA!

IF I only knew then, what I've learned about these cavies!! I'm enthralled, honestly!! DD has trained hers to go down the stairs, her gp follows her, its just amazing - the thing purrs like a cat!! They too can poo a lot, but dd has trained hers to go to the cage to relieve its needs!! Truly amazing - its almost like a cat - but DS isnt allergic to the gp - because of the cage All I know is its a wonderful interim pet, dd wants a dog or a cat, but has settled for the gp - she must change the cage once a week - its a larger cage (like a rabbit cage) but she has set it set up so it can co up it - if you google BING the guinea pig, you will find DD favorite site, and fall in love with guinea pigs!!

I was afraid you wouldnt, so I did!

http://members.aol.com/bingtheguineapig/

 

[TinkInPink]

ITA!

IF I only knew then, what I've learned about these cavies!! I'm enthralled, honestly!! DD has trained hers to go down the stairs, her gp follows her, its just amazing - the thing purrs like a cat!! They too can poo a lot, but dd has trained hers to go to the cage to relieve its needs!! Truly amazing - its almost like a cat - but DS isnt allergic to the gp - because of the cage All I know is its a wonderful interim pet, dd wants a dog or a cat, but has settled for the gp - she must change the cage once a week - its a larger cage (like a rabbit cage) but she has set it set up so it can co up it - if you google BING the guinea pig, you will find DD favorite site, and fall in love with guinea pigs!!

I was afraid you wouldnt, so I did!

http://members.aol.com/bingtheguineapig/

Yep get the kid a Guinea Pig. I have one his name is Moose. I know people who have hamsters and they're just lacking in the personality and interaction department. also for a 10 year old boy a GP is much more tangible than a tiny hampster (not to say you don't need to be gentle but they tend not to die if you aren't as gentle) also, when you get your Guinea Pig (admit it your going to) make sure to handle the pig as much as possible. just put a towel in your lap while you're watching tv and pet it. the more handling earlier the better the pig. and GPs are social animals do not and I repeat DO NOT confine the piggy to a bed room! make sure its some where it is always around people (since with proper cage changes they don't smell much at all) (ours is in the kitchen by the back door). If you socialize your piggy he or she will become a member of the family much like a dog that requires very little walking...

 

[Lorix2]

Yep get the kid a Guinea Pig. I have one his name is Moose. I know people who have hamsters and they're just lacking in the personality and interaction department. also for a 10 year old boy a GP is much more tangible than a tiny hampster (not to say you don't need to be gentle but they tend not to die if you aren't as gentle) also, when you get your Guinea Pig (admit it your going to) make sure to handle the pig as much as possible. just put a towel in your lap while you're watching tv and pet it. the more handling earlier the better the pig. and GPs are social animals do not and I repeat DO NOT confine the piggy to a bed room! make sure its some where it is always around people (since with proper cage changes they don't smell much at all) (ours is in the kitchen by the back door). If you socialize your piggy he or she will become a member of the family much like a dog that requires very little walking...

Thanks for your reply. A piggy is not an option for my son. I don't want another pet roaming the house or picking up after it. Our dog wouldn't put up with it either.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

I know you say his heart is set on a hammie, but truthfully, has he ever considered a rat?

Rats are just as easy (if not more so) to take care of as hamsters. They are also larger and tend not to be as nippy as most hamsters because they're not shortsighted the way hamsters are. You can buy balls for them to run around in and the love to play. Plus, they tend not to be as stinky as hamsters. Unlike hamsters, rats are awake during the day, so they won't keep you up at night with their rattling arond in the cage and what not.

If you get a rattie, I would suggest getting a large ferret cage or a large birdcage with several levels/tiers because while they can live in a 20 gallon fishtank, it's not ideal. I've found that fishtanks are a booger to clean properly, especially because they are so danged heavy.

Just my $0.02.

 

[mjkacmom]

I got dd11 2 hamsters when she was 9 (meant to get only one, the first one got loose the first night, bought the 2nd the next day, found the first a week later - 2 cages), and they were great! She really took care of them, fed them, and cleaned their cages. I was so sad when they died - I would actually play with them after dd went to bed!

We're getting rats from a breeder in a few weeks - they're smarter and friendlier than hamsters, from what I've researched. Our hamsters were very friendly.