Hamsters (merged)

arkonite_babe

MOVING THREADS FOR BETTER RESPONSES

Hi, Martin’s asked me to post this in these circumstances: I’ve asked Board Guides to move threads if they’ll receive a better response elsewhere (please see this rule) so this post/thread has been moved to another board, where it should get more replies. If you have any questions about this policy please email [EMAIL="abuse@moneysavingexpert.com"]abuse@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL]


I'll move it to the pets board to see if you get some help

lauranurse

Hi

It sounds like you have got a pets at home near you - they have probably got an adoption centre there! The couple near me have, they take in unwanted (awwww) pets and find them a new home, probably to improve their image a bit but still definitely a good thing. Might be worth phoning them to see if they have any in there?

Also, most pet/dog rescue centres such as the blue cross also take in small animas, might be worth checking them out too.

Jaime-V

Thanks for that, yes there is one near me I must go and have a look! I never noticed when I was in before.

:beer:

bribrian

The adoption section of the store at the Abbeycentre is at the left rear of the shop.....

hayley11

We bought a syrian hamster about a week ago and he makes this really weird sound, it's like a screech/squak/squeal...I've never heard a hamster make a noise like this before, but he seem to do it when he's scared.

Also we tried to handle him the other day, my OH was being really gentle and he bit him! It was quite a nasty bite as well.

Does all this sound normal?

pboae

It sounds normal for a terrified hamster. I guess he's not been handled much before you got him. I assume he came from a pet shop?

You'll need to take it very slowly, let him get used to you first, try hand feeding him titbits (he might not take them from your hand at first, but make sure he sees you put the food down). Move slowly around him, their eyesight is poor, and don't try and pick him up (unless you really have to) until he is more confident with you.

There is a brief guide here http://www.hamsterific.com/HamsterHandling.cfm to getting hamsters used to handling. The guide seems OK, but I don't know what the rest of the site is like.

jessicamb

I think it is normal Haley - especially if your hamster is scared, and they are naturally skittish anyway.

Keep on trying with the taming but go at a slower pace. Have you tried getting a hamster book or looking on the internet for more information? I did both of those when I got my hamster earlier this year and now it loves coming out to play. I found a lot of useful information in the hamsterhideout forums - it does a little bit aimed towards children sometimes but the information is excellent. Hamster bites are horrible - the teeth are really sharp it was nothing personal though I'm sure and he only bit because he was scared.

Good luck! Oh and if yours is anything like mine get some little padlocks to keep it in its cage

abaxas

If in doubt, bribe your hamster.

You can make friends quicker by tempting them with food and once you are friends, groom them with a toothbrush (cheapo one, not electic!). Also over time you'll find out what you hamster likes, eg one of our hamsters loves cornflakes while the other loves his tummy tickled.

Hamsters don't have good long term memories, so it's best to handle them daily or they'll forget who u are. Even if they do forget, give them a couple of days and they soon remember!

wolfehouse

just be aware-they also squawk like that if they are in pain.

gerad_way

Just wondered the pros and cons about owning a hamster. My son would like one for crimbo but i'm not sure:
What breed to buy?
Do they smell (obviously they will if you don't clean them) but apart from that?
Best cage to buy. Plastic full of tubes or metal ?
Diseases to be aware of?

We own guinea pigs and rabbits so we are not novices to owning animals.
Any advice would be great

Thanks:beer: