Where to buy a Hamster, what do they need?

Counting_Pennies_2

Hi all,

My DS would love a hampster for his birthday.

The only problem is I am not sure where to get one from.

What would I be looking for in terms of their health.

How long do they live for

What do they eat and how often

What habitat do they need

What stimulation do they need.

Sorry for so many questions

Many thanks

Funky_Bold_Ribena

A hamster?

Have you thought of going to a pet shop and asking those questions?

Cornucopia

http://www.hamsters.co.uk/

Who would have guessed?

BitterAndTwisted

No-one sells or breeds hampsters.

If you need to do some research about common pets how about a spot of Googlising?

http://hamstersaspets.co.uk/
http://www.hamsters-uk.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=32
http://www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/rodents/hamsters

Counting_Pennies_2

Thank you all.

I am indeed googling, I am stuck in the house today and unable to get out so thought I would start looking in to it. I wondered if anyone has any experience from having their own hamster they could offer me.

flybynight

ideally dont go to a pet shop, you want a hamster breeder, ideally one who will have socialised your hamster as a very young hammy with its mother. this will make handling a lot easier.
try www.hamstercentral.com also, dont let pets at home talk you into buying a cage any less than 70x 40 cm. i have the alaska cage for mine and it was still cheaper than the branded ones that are half the size. hope this helps

BitterAndTwisted

How old is your DS? To my mind they are not suitable pets for young children. They are nocturnal so won't be supplying any company but will be making a racket scuttling about in the dead of night.

Guinea Pigs are much more interesting and fun but cannot be kept as solitary animals. They have a HUGE repertoire of attractive noises and calls.

gingin_2

I asked on the pets section a while ago and hamsters were almost unanimously a thumbs down. I know this is also true with DD's friends, they are very hard to handle, bite and are nocturnal. Rats were recommended, which once you get your head around the fact that they are rats they really look like a good option.

Kayalana99

I had a hamster when I was little and I loved him to bits! If your DS wants a hamster get him one! :-)

And if you have the money get one of those cool cages with all tubes - your DS will love it more then the hamster.

Also my hamster bit me once by mistake on ride home as he was trying to nibble out his box - never did it again and I admit he didnt like to keep still but that was part of the fun

Good Luck :-)

alleycat`

I had several when i was, much, younger.

Temperament varies massively. A couple i had were nasty biters, a couple were very "friendly".
They are nocturnal but do spend quite a bit of time up and about on mornings / evenings.

Life expectancy is a couple of years, three at best.

Personally i'd recommend a rat as a better choice, although they are a lot bigger.

balletshoes

you might be better asking on the Pet forum section of MSE OP?