Budgie or hamster?

[Tw1nkle]

Hi, we're thinking of getting a pet for our DD (5) for Christmas.

She will be 5, but is very timid with ALL animals. It will take her ages to pluck up the courage to get near it, but we're hoping that by getting one, she'll get more confidence.

What do you think would be better....a hamster, or a budgie?

Thanks!

[Floralnomad]

Does she actually want a pet for Christmas ? If you do go ahead I wouldn't get a hamster as they can sometimes be nervy and bite unless they are really well handled . I know nothing about budgies .

[Coffeenowplease]

Budgies need a lot of work. Training them, taming them, playing with them to keep them active and happy for a few hours a day..plus there is the bird poo thing.

Although its v small and easy to clean off furniture etc so not too bad.

[Beamur]

I know nothing about budgies.
Hamsters on the other hand...We had 2 for our older kids when they were about 9/10 yrs old. Not good. They can be lovely, sweet, very cute pets. Ours though were blood drawing psychos...
If you want something small and furry - would you consider a pair of gerbils? They are more 'spectator' pets, we don't handle ours except when cleaning them out (this would be your job, although our old chap has taken to biting DP every time he takes him out now, and DP is a very experienced handler). They are active in daytime and curious, so will happily come to the bars and take food from the hand - they don't tend to bite that way either.
I'd try and find someone with a nice friendly hamster/budgie to have a chat with you and see if it's right for you.

[minion123]

Id say a hamster although they sleep during the day so she might not get to she it much. I have never had a budgie so couldnt say how it is to look after them. Hamsters are easy to look after and clean out no problem, they are also funny little animals to when they are swinging from the top of their cage!!

[ButThereAgain]

Unless you get a handreared budgie there won't be any question of your daughter being able to handle her in any way (except possibly as a result of months and months of careful taming). So if you want handling opportunities to increase her confidence, hamsters would be a better bet.

Hamsters very very boring though, especially given that they sleep all day (and make a racket all night so can't be in DC room).

Budgies are lovely cheerful animated creatures, lots to look at even if you can't handle.

Both animals are similar in terms of physical work but remember that budgies are social creatures so really need much more presence and input/interaction then hamsters do. You must make sure you can give them that for their fairly long lifespan (much longer-lived than Hammie).

[LeoandBoosmum]

Budgies can be so noisy!!

[sambo21]

I NEED HELP? I have a robovski dwarf hamster that has a problem with her right back leg and she will not eat at all and I don't know what to do someone help me

also

I have a Russian dwarf hamster that was handreared from when I first got her and bow she's turned nasty she bites and I can't go near the cage to put food on or take her out to clean the cage and I am abit stunned why shes turned as she has been handled ever since

thanks to anyone who can help me