Hamsters (merged)

squidge60

yep another vote for a rat they are more fun and a whole lot more intelligent

oystercatcher

The trouble with hamsters is they don't live very long. So they get all tame and cute....and then they're gone Haven't had one last more than two years. I found them very entertaining.

Oystercatcher

nealallen

Another vote for Rats :j They are very intelligent and believe it or not, cuddly I wouldn't get a Russian dwarf as they can be vicious (know from experience) As said, hamsters have a short life, I would always say go for rats, mine use to sit on my shoulder whilst walking around (indoors). I have been bitten by hamsters and gerbils, but never any of my rats.

Also a good idea is degu's, always get them in pairs as they are social animals. Be warned, they are excellent escape artists!!



Degu's

nealallen

Never seen these before :eek:

Skinny pigs!!

foreign_correspondent

Mutter wrote: »

"A hamster for Chrimbo" ?

There's nothing on one, why can't you have a turkey like everyone else?

Lol - you beat me to it!! Hamsters are ok for kids, but you can only keep one, and it cant really be kept in a bedroom as they make noise all night! (trust me I know, I was often sleep deprived due to mine!!)

Gerbils are great, I had two as a kid, and they are active during the daytime - much better for children who want to play with them, and they sleep at night - yay!

kr15snw

Not a Hamster fan to be honest, always prefered Chinchillas. BUT to be honest I think guinea pigs are one of the best for kids (which you say you already have).

Smaller rodents are a bit flitty, and a bit bitey (but I will admit that some are LOVELY and I had some stupidly friendly hamsters and know friends who have had the most amazing rats).

BUT if your going to get anything, be prepared to look after it yourself. Lol

WhistleBlower

I had a syrian hamster a few years back, i got her when she was baout six months old and she'd never been handled, she was agressive and bit me a few times, she never really became tame.

I've also got two russian dwarf hammies now. Ex-housemate had a Robrovski hamster.

Syrian are the big sandy/tawny ones, the calssic pet hamster, robust and friendly, russian dwarf hamsters are smaller and sometimes more frinedly, Robos are not good as pets for kids due to their extremely small size and speed.

Cleaning: once a week minimum.
Food: Dry pellets are fine, subsidize with treats such as lettuce, carrot and certain fruits etc.
Get a glass enclosure, or you'll get sawdust everywhere.
I dislike the cages with tubes cos my hammies would often pee in the tubes, they're a pain to clean if droppings or sawdust sticks to it.
i've never found that they smell.

Diseases: Primarily Wet Tail, loose runny stools, can quickly kill a hamster. Often caused by bad diet or poor hygeine. If they get sick, take them to the vets, (i know of some people who say they wouldn't bother) not only is it the kind thing to do it teaches children the responsibility of owning a pet and that sometimes they will get sick and need treatment.

Personally i love my two, (Colin and Ryan, both females, heh) if you have more than one be prepared to buy another cage, in cas ethey don't get on, and be absolutely sure they are the same gender.

Raksha

What ever small furry you get I'd really suggest getting it from a show breeder rather than a pet shop. Pet shop animals are often bred from cheap stock which is the same as that bred for lab animals, and these are bred to have a pre disposition to various health problems, like cancers. A show bred animal is more likely to be healthy.

fraz_babe

Sorry no advice here as i dont have much expeirence on hamsters. But do you have a friend that has a hamster? If so could you ask them if they would mind letting you look after there hamster for a week or 2. And see how your son gets along? I always wanted a hamster, then when i had one i didnt bother with it x

oystercatcher

nealallen wrote: »

Never seen these before :eek:

Skinny pigs!!

Are these an actual breed of G pigs?
I ask because I really love g pigs but am allergic, these might be OK .

Oystercatcher