Have a hamster? do you regret it?

[Mouse House Mama]

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.

 

[Lorix2]

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.

Um...no, never considered a rat.

I'm really not looking to change my DS' mind, the hammy is ALL I will consider, but thank you for your post.

 

[Lorix2]

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!

Wow, where had the first one gone for a week? That's funny.

About how long did they live?

 

[WildernessBride]

It is so funny that this thread popped up today. On Sunday we got my DD a new hamster, her other hamster passed away a few weeks back and we thought we may get her another. Anyhow, our new hamster, Magical, came home and the very first night broke out of the cage....I still don't see how, but that is the story DD is sticking to. We looked all over but to no avail...Magical had apparently found a way to get out or a great hiding place. To make a long story short, my DH was about to get in the shower this morning around 5:15am and I hear..."I 've got the hamster cornered." I am not a morning person so in a stupor I ran in and he's yelling get the cage!!! Magical came over near the cage, bit my DH on the hand and then hopped in. Needless to say DD is elated....DH although bitten felt good because DD called him her "hero." So now Magical is back home, but out of the two hamsters we had he seems to be a feisty little dude and I hope he calms down for DD...she loves to hold them. I do like hamsters....I clean the cage, but DD does all of the feeding and stuff...they are good pets, I was suprised how nice and somewhat loving they can be...the other one would snuggle up in my DDs lap and sleep. We can't get a dog now because we are about to buy a new home, but at least a hamster can givve us a little bit of pet fun!!!! So i say hamsters are cute little pets and can be a lot of fun...as for the ball thing...I have DS who is 4 and he wanted to play soccer with the hamster....but we quickly explained that this is not a soccer hamster!!!

 

[mjkacmom]

Wow, where had the first one gone for a week? That's funny.

About how long did they live?

Ours lived almost 2 years. We have an old house, and sometimes get mice - good house for a loose hamster to hang! We finally got a no-kill mouse trap, and got her 2 days later.

 

[Lorix2]

Ours lived almost 2 years. We have an old house, and sometimes get mice - good house for a loose hamster to hang! We finally got a no-kill mouse trap, and got her 2 days later.

We've had mice too. Guess yours had a nice little vacation hanging with his buddies Glad to know they can live that long. We definitely take pet care seriously and hope to have one as long.

The earliest we can get one is sunday due to a heavy schedule this week. My DS cannot even sleep he's so anxious to pick one out. Thank goodness for the no kill trap! Thanks!

 

[Lorix2]

It is so funny that this thread popped up today. On Sunday we got my DD a new hamster, her other hamster passed away a few weeks back and we thought we may get her another. Anyhow, our new hamster, Magical, came home and the very first night broke out of the cage....I still don't see how, but that is the story DD is sticking to. We looked all over but to no avail...Magical had apparently found a way to get out or a great hiding place. To make a long story short, my DH was about to get in the shower this morning around 5:15am and I hear..."I 've got the hamster cornered." I am not a morning person so in a stupor I ran in and he's yelling get the cage!!! Magical came over near the cage, bit my DH on the hand and then hopped in. Needless to say DD is elated....DH although bitten felt good because DD called him her "hero." So now Magical is back home, but out of the two hamsters we had he seems to be a feisty little dude and I hope he calms down for DD...she loves to hold them. I do like hamsters....I clean the cage, but DD does all of the feeding and stuff...they are good pets, I was suprised how nice and somewhat loving they can be...the other one would snuggle up in my DDs lap and sleep. We can't get a dog now because we are about to buy a new home, but at least a hamster can givve us a little bit of pet fun!!!! So i say hamsters are cute little pets and can be a lot of fun...as for the ball thing...I have DS who is 4 and he wanted to play soccer with the hamster....but we quickly explained that this is not a soccer hamster!!!

Great story, I love it! I'm afraid of one biting my son, not the hurt factor, but that he might drop it out of fear? Does it really hurt or just like a pinch?

 

[Lorix2]

It is so funny that this thread popped up today. On Sunday we got my DD a new hamster, her other hamster passed away a few weeks back and we thought we may get her another. Anyhow, our new hamster, Magical, came home and the very first night broke out of the cage....I still don't see how, but that is the story DD is sticking to. We looked all over but to no avail...Magical had apparently found a way to get out or a great hiding place. To make a long story short, my DH was about to get in the shower this morning around 5:15am and I hear..."I 've got the hamster cornered." I am not a morning person so in a stupor I ran in and he's yelling get the cage!!! Magical came over near the cage, bit my DH on the hand and then hopped in. Needless to say DD is elated....DH although bitten felt good because DD called him her "hero." So now Magical is back home, but out of the two hamsters we had he seems to be a feisty little dude and I hope he calms down for DD...she loves to hold them. I do like hamsters....I clean the cage, but DD does all of the feeding and stuff...they are good pets, I was suprised how nice and somewhat loving they can be...the other one would snuggle up in my DDs lap and sleep. We can't get a dog now because we are about to buy a new home, but at least a hamster can givve us a little bit of pet fun!!!! So i say hamsters are cute little pets and can be a lot of fun...as for the ball thing...I have DS who is 4 and he wanted to play soccer with the hamster....but we quickly explained that this is not a soccer hamster!!!

I mean't to tell you how beautiful your DD is

 

[WildernessBride]

Great story, I love it! I'm afraid of one biting my son, not the hurt factor, but that he might drop it out of fear? Does it really hurt or just like a pinch?

My husband just called from work and I asked him how bad the bite was....he said not too bad. I have not been bitten myself. Actually, I thought that was how Magical got lost...I thought DD picked up hamster and it scared her and she dropped him....but she says no. They have to get used to you for a few days and then they should be better and not bite. As long as you are calm around them they should be at ease and not want to bite.

 

[WildernessBride]

I mean't to tell you how beautiful your DD is

Thanks so much!!!!

 

[traces7]

My 9 year old DD has a dwarf hamster named Rosie. The only thing we regret about getting her, is that they have such a short life span. They are prone to cancerous tumors the vet told me. She has had one since last August and is in the process of dieing. I'm not sure how much longer she'll live, she's only a year and a half old (which I suppose is old for a hamster). But it's just too short of a lifespan for us, we probably won't get another one.

Although she has been a nice little pet. She never bit us and has her own little personality. We have a HabitTrail for dwarf hamsters and she has never escaped or the cage never gets stinky. We clean it once a week and use the bedding that's kind of like shredded paper towels (I think that keeps the odor down).

Hope this helps!

 

[WildernessBride]

My 9 year old DD has a dwarf hamster named Rosie. The only thing we regret about getting her, is that they have such a short life span. They are prone to cancerous tumors the vet told me. She has had one since last August and is in the process of dieing. I'm not sure how much longer she'll live, she's only a year and a half old (which I suppose is old for a hamster). But it's just too short of a lifespan for us, we probably won't get another one.

Although she has been a nice little pet. She never bit us and has her own little personality. We have a HabitTrail for dwarf hamsters and she has never escaped or the cage never gets stinky. We clean it once a week and use the bedding that's kind of like shredded paper towels (I think that keeps the odor down).

Hope this helps!

I think that is the saddest part of hamsters too...their life span is so short. I am hoping our new hamster, Magical will have a long healthy life.

I just remembered what the lady at Petsmart told me...sometimes hamsters can get what is called wettail, they don't have solid poops and that dehydrates them and they die. She said wet tail is caused by stress...but Isabella seemed really happy...I don't know if there are any other causes. I think that is what our first hamster Isabella had. Sometimes she would urinate and it seemed normal then she would do what I thought was pee and it stunk sooo bad...I think that was when he was trying to poop. When Isabella died it was so sad, she (really it was a he...but DD wanted to give it a girl's name!) is now buried in our garden....I really got attached to the little guy myself.

 

[douglisa]

Oh my goodness! Have I got a story for you!
We bought two hamsters at petco, they were together in an aquarium when we got them and they swore they were both girls. WRONG!
They were quite prolific. They had SO many babies and then they got cannibalistic! It was disgusting! My son came screaming to me one day unable to put into words what was happening.
I went to look and there were baby hamster pieces everywhere and only 3 hamsters left out of many.
So we isolated momma and poppa, who had blood all over their faces and hands.
There was a larger baby in with the other two, he continued the blood lust!
So we were left with momma, poppa, and baby cujo hamster.
My son was crying and said he did not want them any more because "Their mean and scare me!"
So we released them in the back yard for the neighbors cat to draw out karmic retribution.
Now before all you animal lovers start leading me to a hanging tree I will defend my actions this way. It is no different then feeding them to a boa constrictor, which is common practice.
In my opinion hamsters are nasty creatures If you are going to get one only get one! (they were teddy bear hamsters)

 

[Lorix2]

My husband just called from work and I asked him how bad the bite was....he said not too bad. I have not been bitten myself. Actually, I thought that was how Magical got lost...I thought DD picked up hamster and it scared her and she dropped him....but she says no. They have to get used to you for a few days and then they should be better and not bite. As long as you are calm around them they should be at ease and not want to bite.

I've been reading that they need time to get to know you/sense you and reminding my DS that this might happen and not to drop it. Thanks for your help and hope Magical doesn't pull another dissappearing act.

 

[Lorix2]

Oh my goodness! Have I got a story for you!
We bought two hamsters at petco, they were together in an aquarium when we got them and they swore they were both girls. WRONG!
They were quite prolific. They had SO many babies and then they got cannibalistic! It was disgusting! My son came screaming to me one day unable to put into words what was happening.
I went to look and there were baby hamster pieces everywhere and only 3 hamsters left out of many.
So we isolated momma and poppa, who had blood all over their faces and hands.
There was a larger baby in with the other two, he continued the blood lust!
So we were left with momma, poppa, and baby cujo hamster.
My son was crying and said he did not want them any more because "Their mean and scare me!"
So we released them in the back yard for the neighbors cat to draw out karmic retribution.
Now before all you animal lovers start leading me to a hanging tree I will defend my actions this way. It is no different then feeding them to a boa constrictor, which is common practice.
In my opinion hamsters are nasty creatures If you are going to get one only get one! (they were teddy bear hamsters)

Oh I'm sorry to hear your son had to see that, that is horrifying. I can relate.

My DH and I had 2 teddies many years ago. We bought a girl and a boy. We separated them by some kind of cardboard and Bonnie chewed thru and ate Clyde, killed him. I was so upset!

We knew not to put them together, but didn't realize they would try to get at one another any way they could.

 

[joyah]

Just thought I'd chime in........... they are great little pets, we have 5 got one for the 7yr old and then the older one had to have one and he ended up with one that was pregnant. We tried to find homes for all of them but ended up keeping 3 of the babies. Maple (the original one) is the best hammie she will cuddle with eric and I and just is the sweetest thing. she's long haired and just a soft little bundle. Sally (MoM) well she was expecting when we brought her home and NASTY!!! but a very good mommy. She is still sweet but you can't cuddle her for long she's hyper. 1 baby that went to a friend is cuddley and will sit for hours with Ali curled up in a little blanket. Spinner well her name implies that she spins and she is in her wheel constanlty. Toppy is the escape artist of the bunch but she comes looking for you, very sweet and will sit in you lap for a while then want to explore. Peanut he's finally become tame so that I can pick him up. He would charge you when you tried to add food or put you hand in the tank from the day he ws born. Sally is a Teddy Bear hammie the dad??? but peanny is long haired unlike the others who look just like a teddy bear. good luck the first few days you may just want to talk to them and put one of his socks(clean) that has his scent in the tank that will help with the settling in.

 

[Lorix2]

My 9 year old DD has a dwarf hamster named Rosie. The only thing we regret about getting her, is that they have such a short life span. They are prone to cancerous tumors the vet told me. She has had one since last August and is in the process of dieing. I'm not sure how much longer she'll live, she's only a year and a half old (which I suppose is old for a hamster). But it's just too short of a lifespan for us, we probably won't get another one.

Although she has been a nice little pet. She never bit us and has her own little personality. We have a HabitTrail for dwarf hamsters and she has never escaped or the cage never gets stinky. We clean it once a week and use the bedding that's kind of like shredded paper towels (I think that keeps the odor down).

Hope this helps!

Oh, that's terrible. I'm sorry for your DD. I guess all I can do is inform my DS about their short life span. I hope Rosie will pass peacefully. Thank you for your post.

 

[Lorix2]

Just thought I'd chime in........... they are great little pets, we have 5 got one for the 7yr old and then the older one had to have one and he ended up with one that was pregnant. We tried to find homes for all of them but ended up keeping 3 of the babies. Maple (the original one) is the best hammie she will cuddle with eric and I and just is the sweetest thing. she's long haired and just a soft little bundle. Sally (MoM) well she was expecting when we brought her home and NASTY!!! but a very good mommy. She is still sweet but you can't cuddle her for long she's hyper. 1 baby that went to a friend is cuddley and will sit for hours with Ali curled up in a little blanket. Spinner well her name implies that she spins and she is in her wheel constanlty. Toppy is the escape artist of the bunch but she comes looking for you, very sweet and will sit in you lap for a while then want to explore. Peanut he's finally become tame so that I can pick him up. He would charge you when you tried to add food or put you hand in the tank from the day he ws born. Sally is a Teddy Bear hammie the dad??? but peanny is long haired unlike the others who look just like a teddy bear. good luck the first few days you may just want to talk to them and put one of his socks(clean) that has his scent in the tank that will help with the settling in.

Wow, sounds like a fun bunch! Good idea about the sock. What is the difference between a syrian and dwarf or teddy hamster? Do you know? He wants a more furry one.

 

[tikilyn]

I'm going to go out on a limb here and say get him a ferret or two!! They have a life span of 7-10 yrs (so they won't die to soon). They are very playful. The two I had would play hide n seek with me, play tugawar with a sock either together or with me. They also bark when they are happy!

Ferrets are easly potty trained, just need a ferret poop box. I had two of them. One in the corner in my house for when they were out playing and one in there cage. If I kept their box clean I didn't have to change the bedding in their cage so often (about every two weeks).

If you go with a ferret I'd get him a male. Males are bigger than the females and from my experience females tend to bite. My male never bit me but my female tooks some training to make her stop.

Ok now I want another one. I miss them so much.

 

[sdarwkcabemanmy]

Just out of curiosity, why not a rat? They are sweet, friendly animals and make wonderful pets for kids.

Is it the ick factor? Because that's understandable. People think rat=horrible monster=not a good pet. I bet once your DS got a rat, you'd come to accept it (if not outright love it).