Hamsters? Advice & recommendations please. UPDATE with pics

narabanekeater

I used to breed them. Females come into season every 3 days hence the smell your smelling. Also when selecting a exercise wheel make sure its a solid one and not one with open slats -little feet get broke very easily in them.
A Syrain also would be what I would select if I was going to buy a hamster for my daughter. Fresh food and greens daily and a big cage and you'll have what i'm sure shall be a very happy hammy. Fell free to message me if you have any more question.

alanalea

Person_one wrote: »

Slightly off the brief, but what about a kitten or two?

I'll admit I'm a bit biased against hamsters, but it really does seem as though when you buy them for children what you actually get is a pet cage! They never really see the hamster and on the odd times they do they aren't really interested in interaction. I don't think either hamster or child get a great deal out of the relationship.

Both my husband and I are very anti-cats, so that is a definite no.
I'd never really considered birds, I've never had them so wouldn't even know where to start. I don't think, at this stage anyway, birds would be suitable for us.

I'd like something that my daughter can get used to looking after, mainly by herself (with supervision), as Gingins daughter is doing. I can see your point in that they do tend to sleep a lot, but for us I think this is a good way to ease Tabitha into having to look after something else living. A hampster isn't too 'full on'
If I could have my rats again, I would like a shot!

alanalea

narabanekeater wrote: »

I used to breed them. Females come into season every 3 days hence the smell your smelling. Also when selecting a exercise wheel make sure its a solid one and not one with open slats -little feet get broke very easily in them.
A Syrain also would be what I would select if I was going to buy a hamster for my daughter. Fresh food and greens daily and a big cage and you'll have what i'm sure shall be a very happy hammy. Fell free to message me if you have any more question.

Thank you very much for your info, I think we'll be going for a male syrian then.

With the wheels, do they need to have a traditional wheel or would a flying saucer one be adequate?

PudseyDB

I cant say I've noticed any of our female hamsters being smelly - but we have 3 bunnies living indoors plus 2 dogs so maybe I'm just used to it.

One thing I would say in the male v female debate.......there's no hiding the males genitalia! especially as they seem to love lying with them on full view! :eek:

aileth

alanalea wrote: »

Thank you very much for your info, I think we'll be going for a male syrian then.

With the wheels, do they need to have a traditional wheel or would a flying saucer one be adequate?

I've never used a flying saucer but they'll need a lot more room than a conventional wheel!

jackieblack

Person_one wrote: »

I'll admit I'm a bit biased against hamsters, but it really does seem as though when you buy them for children what you actually get is a pet cage! They never really see the hamster and on the odd times they do they aren't really interested in interaction. I don't think either hamster or child get a great deal out of the relationship.

I don't agree. My daughter had 3 hamsters (one after the other, not all at the same time), and they were lovely pets for her . If you get them used to interaction & being handled when they are young they are lovely friendly little things . They were all males and we never noticed any smells.

dandelionclock30

I wouldnt bother with a hamster, I'd go straight for a rat, as at least they have something about them. With a hamster you might as well put a stuffed cat toy/ or pom,pom in the cage as it will be at about the same level.
When I lived with a girl who had a rat, it used to come to being called across a room and would jump up a catch maltesers. A much better pet all round.

alanalea

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

I wouldnt bother with a hamster, I'd go straight for a rat, as at least they have something about them. With a hamster you might as well put a stuffed cat toy/ or pom,pom in the cage as it will be at about the same level.
When I lived with a girl who had a rat, it used to come to being called across a room and would jump up a catch maltesers. A much better pet all round.

Thank you for your comment & I totally agree with you. As I've said 3 times in this thread, I've had rats for many years & If I had the room in this new house for my 6ft rat cage, I'd have more rats in a second. Unfortunately I just do not have the room any more.

dandelionclock30

Do you really need a 6 ft rat cage?. My friends cage was bigish but not that big. I know you need to get 2 rats at least but I'm sure you can get a smaller cage without the rats being restricted.

alanalea

dandelionclock30 wrote: »

Do you really need a 6 ft rat cage?. My friends cage was bigish but not that big. I know you need to get 2 rats at least but I'm sure you can get a smaller cage without the rats being restricted.

No I don't need a 6ft cage, that was for when I had my 5 girls. But even 2 rats need a substantial cage, which at the moment is not going to happen