Hamsters (merged)

cluuuuur

They are a real breed of guinea pigs but I really, really wouldn't recommend getting one.

They are usually inbred, and their immune systems are very weak. They are susceptible to skin cancers and fungal infections.

They're difficult to keep warm (some people dress them in jumpers!) and definitely cannot live outside.

They are so, so, SO cute, but as a pet? I couldn't honestly recommend one unless you have a lot of money to spend on veterinary care. There are also arguments about perpetuating the inbreeding cycle. If you honestly wanted one, I'd recommend contacting a rescue and seeing if they have any.

There's also the MSE point that they've become a bit of a 'designer' pet, and will run you up a massive cost just in the initial purchase.

You may also find that you're still allergic to skinnies and Baldwins - a lot of the allergins are in the skin dander. I'm allergic, and dander brings me up in hives too.

oystercatcher

Thanks cluuuur
Yes very cute but impracticle. Sounds like they might still make me sneezy and itchy anyway from what you say.

I think my naughty terrier would be taking just a little too much interest as well !!

I find it odd that I am allergic to g pigs, but not any other small animals (that I have noticed so far anyway). I did wonder if it was just the ones we had but I had exactly the same reaction to my friends g pigs after a very short cuddle.

Sorry we've gone a bit off topic now !

The dogs are the reason I haven't got another hamster either.

Oystercatcher

f1re_cr4cker

nealallen wrote: »

Never seen these before :eek:

Skinny pigs!!

!!!!!! is that?!?!?!?!??!:eek: :eek:


edit- now i know
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00374/SNN1827AA_682_374277a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article355419.ece&usg=__juOA7ip_oftKejTD-NYHRRLzo9Q=&h=400&w=682&sz=56&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=ahFpK6WEQ2zk0M:&tbnh=82&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskinny%2Bpigs%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGIH_en-GBGB264GB264%26sa%3DX

the_devil_made_me_do_it

Kimberley wrote: »

Never give a pet for a Christmas present. Kids normally grow out off or get bored with caged pets.

Couldn't agree more. Get your son a book on hamsters.

the_devil_made_me_do_it

f1re_cr4cker wrote: »

!!!!!! is that?!?!?!?!??!:eek: :eek:


edit- now i know
http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://img.thesun.co.uk/multimedia/archive/00374/SNN1827AA_682_374277a.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/news/article355419.ece&usg=__juOA7ip_oftKejTD-NYHRRLzo9Q=&h=400&w=682&sz=56&hl=en&start=1&um=1&tbnid=ahFpK6WEQ2zk0M:&tbnh=82&tbnw=139&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dskinny%2Bpigs%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GGIH_en-GBGB264GB264%26sa%3DX

question of ethics?:think:

misscutiepie1984

gerad_way wrote: »

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:

I have 2 hamsters at the moment.... have had several over the years I tend to prefer the plastic cage that you click together but with a wire but on the top so they can still climb etc. I wouldn't not say they are particularly smelly cleaning them out 1-2 a week is normally enough, however female hamsters tend to smell more the males.

Defiantely go for a syrian as there temperment is by far the best. Leave the hamster for a few days to settle in or they can get wet tail. Then you can start handling them, best to wear some gloves or cover your hand in their bedding etc so the can smell themselves.

And enjoy!

Jenny_Wren_3

I would go for gerbils. We looked into the pro's and con's of both and I don't regret getting gerbils for my daughter. One of hers will try to bite occasionally, I say try to because its teeth don't break the skin at all and it doesn't hurt!

They will only live for a few years but I think that that is good for children to see death in a more gentle and understanable way.

Definately go for a large glass tank with a lid on it whatever you go for.

LittleMissRolo

gerad_way wrote: »

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:

I've had hamsters all my life and they are lovely, fairly low maintenance pets.

Pet shops and garden centres do starter packs that usually include the cage (i have always had cage with plastic bottom never glass and have had no problems with mess), water bottle, feeding bowl, sleeping compartment, shavings and bedding for about £25.00. That sometimes includes the hamster.

I have always had males. Never had any problems with them. They always lived for between 3-4 years (which is the age they're supposed to live to) and had never had to go to a vet.

In winter mine hibernated some days when it was cold in the room where he was kept. My sister had a hamster that hibernated only we didn't realise and ended up throwing him in the bin (eek) becuase we didn't know he'd hibernated. He was a horrible hamster though. he was white with red eyes so my advice would be to steer clear of any that look like that!

They just need to be cleaned once a week, repalce water daily and give food every few days but remember not to give too much, as they stuff it in their pouches and put it in their house.

They will need something to chew on (like a flavoured wooden stick) to keep their teeth down as these are continually growing. this is another benefit of having a cage rather than glass container. Also these ones with mazes in them will be harder and take longer to clean.

Don't forget to buy a ball for the hamster to run around in. Don't leave him/her in there too long (not longer than half an hour). these could also pop open if the hamster runs into anything to fast/hard to keep an eye on him/her.

Overall hamsters are a great pet to have and give children a lot of joy

LittleMissAspie

Imac Fantasy cage is the best. Nice and roomy, you can get extensions for it and it's easy to clean. It comes with a small wheel though, you'd need to get a bigger one.

LittleMissRolo, are you sure you mean 3-4 years? I thought 2 years was usual for captivity and even less in the wild. My last hamster died at 2 years 3 months, which I thought was pretty good, especially considering she had asthma (or some kind of breathing problem that the vet couldn't work out).

LittleMissRolo

LittleMissAspie wrote: »

Imac Fantasy cage is the best. Nice and roomy, you can get extensions for it and it's easy to clean. It comes with a small wheel though, you'd need to get a bigger one.

LittleMissRolo, are you sure you mean 3-4 years? I thought 2 years was usual for captivity and even less in the wild. My last hamster died at 2 years 3 months, which I thought was pretty good, especially considering she had asthma (or some kind of breathing problem that the vet couldn't work out).

In the hamster care/guide book i remember getting when i was younger it advised they live for around 3 years.

I was lucky to get nearly 4 years out of 3 of my last hamsters i suppose