Which hamster for a 8 YO

Jinx_Itoria

I have had several hamsters over the years, and currently have a Syrian who's only been here a few days. Yes, they can nip, but usually only when freaked out or you smell like food!!

The Syrians are bigger and more handle-able for small hands, it will depend on the ham you get as to whether it's a cuddler or whether they'll be off exploring everywhere. Some of them can bar chew, this is usually caused by something in the cage not being right (too small, not enough to do, etc). Once tamed they are delightful, and will beg at the cage door to come out for cuddles. My last one didn't emerge from his nest until 10.30 if you were lucky, but my new little girl is up and about at 6-7pm. You can also get very quiet wheels if you're willing to hunt them down - the wheels that come with most cages are far to small anyway and you'll need to get at least an 8inch diameter one so they don't hurt their back.

I used to have some Russian dwarves and generally felt they were a bit more grumpy than the Syrians and didn't like being held much.

Chinese are often advertised as being sociable with their own kind, but really need to be housed alone. Yes, the boys have very very big whatsits. However, they don't really bite and will cling onto your fingers once they are tamed - would expect would be fine if it's a mature-minded 8yo - they are fast, but the syrians can be aswell.

Finally, the Robos are absolutely tiny, and probably only really suited as a watching-type pet or for adults if you really want to handle them.

Please don't get a Rotastak! They are fiddly, the tubes are impossible to clean and even with lots of expensive addons they don't give much floor space and it's a struggle to get a properly sized wheel in there - I've seen it recommended that you buy a Zoozone 1 or 2 (indoor tank-type cage usually sold for guinea pigs, although the bar spacing is quite large and it may need covering with some smaller-sized mesh cable-tied on!), but the Hamster Heaven or the Alexander are often recommended as perfectly sized barred cages.

As for rats - love them! If my OH didn't hate them I'd have rats aswell, and they are very good for smaller hands as they are larger and very robust

pinkcandyflossprincess

I used to have hamsters, my healthiest longest living was a big fat syrian male who lived for years and years..well past the expected lifespan:)

I would go for a nice chunky boy, the males tend to be easier to tame in my experience and the size of a syrian makes them easier to hold than the smaller types.
just take time in choosing and dont be tempted in by pretty dainty looking ones that may actually be the runts and masking health problems.
a healthy hamster should be lively & inquisitive, have a clean bum and eyes, check fur for any flakes, hair loss etc.
(boys have the stick out bum bit:p)
i d think hamsters make great pets and seem to have more sense than the other pet favourite guini pigs...they are also very entertaining for kids to watch and with the huge amount of toys etc you can get for them its a great way for both the hamster and your child to have fun together.

Eeyore2009

Syrian Hamster, I bought one yesterday 7 weeks old, named her Daisy and shes already letting me handle her

tinktinktinkerbell

yes i dont understand why they say hamsters make good pets for kids, it wasnt until i was an adult that i could really appreciate them

syrian is the best bet to get

Anonmouse

If you get a hamster then a Syrian if you want to handle it - be aware of the smell though, you really need to clean them out regularly cos of the pee.

Roborovski hamsters are great to look at but a pain to handle and in my experience chinese hamsters are just plain anti-social.

Personally I would recommend a mongolian gerbil instead - they are up more during the day and they are very friendly, clean and they do not smell (desert animals that conserve water so rarely urinate). They are sociable animals though so get atleast two if you get gerbils.

sock-knitter

i have a male chinese hamster who is very anti social, and makes quite a boring pet. i also have two female guinea pigs, and they are the best pets ever, sociable, playful, friendly, hoping to get a couple more from a rescue near me.

elfen

Rotataks are crap for hamsters, mine always worked out how to escape.

If your daughter wasn't so against rats, I'd go for them too. I have tw ofemales and they are adorable if a bit bloshy sometimes, but they love to explore and love getting cuddles and grooming you - usually hair, ears and noses.

Lotus-eater

I must admit I'm getting quite put off any small rodent.
I would like a GP, but it's just impossible here.

jackomdj

I have had hamsters & gerbils in the past (as well as guinea pigs and rabbits) and we have just got (a few weeks ago) our DD's 2 rats as I thought these would be better pets for the girls as they are awake when the girls are, like to come out & play etc.

Initially I thought we had made a big mistake as one was quite skittish and they smelt a lot, however now they have settled in they are not trying to get their hormones around the place& they smell less than the other small rodents we have had. The skittish one is still a little shy but he will happily come on me. The other one loves everyone & will cuddle in with anyone who is happy to let him.

I am a definite convert and would happily advise anyone looking for a rodent to get one. Although they need a big cage the floor size is not huge as they tend to be tall cages.

dizziblonde

I still maintain gerbils are evil - not met one that wasn't a psychotic nutcase determined to try to kill me.

One primary I know has a class hamster in reception that has his natural activity pattern slightly tipped toward daylight(ish) - he tends to wake up just after lunch, so it's become a bit of a feature that he pops out of his house in time for their phonics lesson. I think he's been getting taught his sounds for a good couple of years now - so he's a bit of an educmacated hamster.