Where to buy a Hamster, what do they need?

Catspajamas

I had hamsters from the age of 11 til a few years ago. They are a great pet, really easy to look after and adorable. I was able from the first hamster to care for them alone which I think is a really good lesson for children.

It took only a couple of days to train most of mine to be comfortable with handling, however please be aware if frightened or messed with they do have a nasty bite. Saying that I was only ever bitten badly once and I have owned 5...once you are bitten once you quickly learn how to handle them correctly!

Something you also need to consider is that they really can't be kept in a bedroom at night as they are so active, but all of mine have been up and about in the day, they are quite curious as to what is going on (and wondering if they are going to get food!)

I would not recommend dwarf hamsters though, I got a pair after my last Syrian died as I fancied a change. They were too small to be handled properly as were more vicious. I did all my research and they were meant to be a pair but after 2 years 1 died (or was killed...) and I opened cage to find just her fur and skull like one of those lion skin rugs, v disturbing and I couldn't look at Helga the same way after that!

**professor~yaffle**

Person_one wrote: »

You do realise they don't just trap wild rats and put them in pet shops? :rotfl:

but a rat is a rat surely?

onlyroz

I have kept both hamsters and rats, and rats are certainly better pets. I'd also not recommend going to a pet shop - go to a breeder who will handle them from birth. I'd also choose females rather than males because they tend to have a better temperament and don't smell so much, and I'd also get a pair rather than just one.

Guinea pigs are also good pets but they need a decent size hutch or run.

We're considering getting a rabbit for our kids, but aren't sure yet...

gingin_2

Person_one wrote: »

You do realise they don't just trap wild rats and put them in pet shops? :rotfl:

I did think that until you pointed it out in another thread

Person_one

**professor~yaffle** wrote: »

but a rat is a rat surely?

Well, they're the same species, but fancy rats have been selectively bred for many generations to create cute, placid, tame, easily handled and playful rats.

Think of the relationship as being like a wild wolf and a labrador.

Person_one

gingin wrote: »

I did think that until you pointed it out in another thread

Sorry, but that made me chuckle!

A lot of people are funny about rats, but you wouldn't a wild hamster or rabbit or ferret or any other non-domesticated animal in your house either. Rats are victims of bad press and of their own success really.

How cute are these guys?

**professor~yaffle**

I don't know about fancy rats. There was nothing remotely fancy about the ones I've got pictured in my mind. :eek: Perhaps selective breeding has prettied them up a bit.

I knew someone who kept a pet snake. I suppose the same principle applies, in that it's a pet snake and not a wild one but can you ever really breed the 'wild' nature out of an animal?

I don't feel so bad for not liking rats. Even the great man himself doesn't like them
http://www.bbc-asia.com/bbc-earth/meet-the-team/sir-david-attenborough/

Skintski

I had hamsters since I was tiny and I'm now 32. The house just doesn't feel right without one. In all those years I have only been bitten once and that was because I made it jump but we always make sure we handle the little critter in the shop to see how the deal with it, if it shows any signs of being evil then walk away.

I would say if you have offspring who know their own strength (hammys don't react well to heavy handling) then they will love a hamster.

Get a nice split level cage with plenty of places to climb, make sure you get a youngster of around 6-8 weeks as they are easier to train at that age and clean them out once a week. You can buy pet detergent for that.

Person_one

**professor~yaffle** wrote: »

I don't know about fancy rats. There was nothing remotely fancy about the ones I've got pictured in my mind. :eek: Perhaps selective breeding has prettied them up a bit.

Always better to have a vague idea of what you're talking about before forming an unfavourable opinion:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fancy_rat

krlyr

Or how about these...


I'd definately recommend anyone unsure of rats as pets goes and meets some! Though I'd, again, say go to a good breeder or rescue to get the best experience. I've seen many people converted by the friendly, curious, entertaining nature of rats, just within 5 minutes!
Theres lots of rat shows held around the country where you could pop in and meet plenty of rats and their owners, as well as many breeders and people involved in rescue. The NFRS is the main society where the show details can be found
http://www.nfrs.org/

Another thing people don't realise is that a rat's tail is covered in fine hair - so not wet and scaley like a snake.

What they may not have in immediate 'aw' factor, they certainly make up for in personality! I dare anyone to watch a few baby ratties and not crack up at their attempts to scale the roof of the cage horizontally, pile into a bowl of food (the messier, the more amusing!) or scale your leg like a drainpipe because they want to play hide and seek in your hair!