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Hamsters (merged)

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  • msmicawber
    msmicawber Posts: 1,962 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Does anyone know how large a 2-month old Syrian hamster is, or have a photo of one at that age? The local pet shop tells me their hamsters are 2 months old, but I find it hard to believe they could grow so large in 8 weeks considering how tiny they are when born.

    My son's got his heart set on one and I don't want him to think he'll have a hamster for a couple of years, then it not last anything like that long because it wasn't as young as we thought when we got it.
    Debt at highest: £6,290.72 (14.2.1999)
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  • I think they probably do mature quite quickly as their lives are so short - but I a sure someone will be along soon who knows more about hamsters - I havent had one since I was a kid.
  • Silaqui
    Silaqui Posts: 2,778 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    I have a syrian hamster that we got in October and she has grown ALOT since we got her. She was around 2 months old then and was just smaller than the palm of my hand. She's now aboutdouble that, she takes up my whole hand, from wrist to fingers.
    I don't think you can tell to be honest, maybe a vet could from their teeth or something.
    I think they can live between 1-3 years so you I wouln't worry too much, obviously their life span will be variable. Have you kept hamsters before? Poppy is the first one I have had and I am in love with her lol. One thing - if you get one, buy a wheel that is big enough for them to run on so they have a straight back (if that makes sense) as the small wheels are really uncomfortable for them. Mine has a wheel that is about 18cm diameter.
    hope that helps a bit , sorry for rambling!
    x
    Ths signature is out of date because I'm too lazy to update it... :o
  • Without being too boring, the hamsters probably have reached an adult size by 2 months (8 weeks) and will have reached sexual maturity. The boys have HUGE testicles for their relative size and this leads to the infamous my-hamster-has-lumps consultation - I dont charge for these consultations now as the embarassment can be almost too much to bear for the accompanying carer. They have a high metablic rate hence the rapid growth and short life. Always go for the syrian type of hamster as I find them more handleable and better as interactive pets.
    Garantissez-moi de mes amis, je saurai me defendre de mes ennemis
  • nunnygirl
    nunnygirl Posts: 2,206 Forumite
    I have a Syrian who we got when he was approx 8 weeks old, he has got much bigger since then. Absolutely gorgeous but fast as lightning!!

    Our last hamster was 5 when he died.....so they can live quite a long time
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  • msmicawber
    msmicawber Posts: 1,962 Forumite
    Debt-free and Proud!
    Thank you everyone. We have had hamsters before and the male lived for about 18 months after we got him and the female a little longer, maybe 20 months. Hopefully, this one will last at least that long - he's such a sweet little critter.
    Debt at highest: £6,290.72 (14.2.1999)
    Debt free success date: 14.8.2006 :j
  • roxalana
    roxalana Posts: 631 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    I am a proud first time pet owner having recently rehomed a syrian hamster.

    At her previous owners house the hamster had set ideas about which part of her cage she used for sleeping, storage and to wee. Fortunately, she rearranged things when she came to us as she had been using her hamster wheel as a bed!

    She now understands what the wheel is for, but also likes to wee in there and seemingly nowhere else! This is a bit of a pain because it is the hardest bit to clean and she doesn't like running in it once she's 'been'.

    Does anyone have any tips for getting her to do it elsewhere?
  • lowis
    lowis Posts: 1,952 Forumite
    1,000 Posts Combo Breaker
    don't know much about hamsters apart from that they have very sharp teeth and can make one bleed profusely if bitten :( BUT, if possible, can you move the wheel to another part of the cage? maybe it is in a similar position to where the toilet area was in it's old home?
  • roxalana
    roxalana Posts: 631 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 500 Posts Combo Breaker
    Thanks for the reply. It definitely isn't in the same place she previously 'went' but I might still try it. Does anyone have any other suggestions?

    I wasn't sure if hamsters are like dogs and are attracted to wee in places they can smell they went before?
  • smooser
    smooser Posts: 23 Forumite
    Aaw congrats on your new hamster! They make great pets and don't bite if they are handled properly :)

    Hamsters can be litter trained apparently! Never tried it myself but you can buy them litter hamster toilets to do their business in. Makes cleaning the cage easier too! I'm sure there's several websites out there that can give you good advice on how to go about it if you do a bit of hunting...

    Try this one for starters...

    http://www.hamster-club.com/article.asp?ID=84
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