I'm thinking of getting a hamster

[HeyBungalowBill]

I always had them as a child and really did enjoy watching them, playing with them and caring for them!

I'm thinking of getting a Syrian hamster and want to make sure I can provide them with a nice cage. I know people get fed up with the rotastak cages because they're fiddley and hard to clean but they seem like the best option to me? I'd join a few together so it would have different places to explore, the bog standard cages seem too small and not enough places to explore?

Is there a difference in temperament between males and females?

How much contact do they like, from memory I'd say 30mins to an hour on an evening?

Any tips about cages or anything else you can thing of would be much appreciated!

[HeyBungalowBill]

I'm also thinking of keeping the hamster upstairs in the spare bedroom in the corner away from the radiator and window as I know they like somewhere quiet to live, I'd then bring them down on an evening when DS goes to sleep for a go in a run or a ball

[lechers]

My DDs have hamsters and they're great pets.

For cages I'd recommend the hamster heaven - if you buy it from zoo plus it's about £60, but it meets the RSPCA minimum guidelines for a cage (so many don't!).

Our hamsters live in my daughters' bedrooms. They're trained now to wake up when my girls get home, so they have a run in the ball (we do 10 -20 mins) in the evening and again in the morning before school.

We have boy hamsters as I found female ones a bit smelly tbh.

Enjoy! We love our little hamsters

Oh and one last tip, when you're selecting ask the shop which hamsters are the friendliest. They're usually easier to train.

[HeyBungalowBill]

I've just had a look at the hamster heaven cage and it's exactly what I was looking for! It's brill, I watched a video on YouTube showing you it and it looks perfect.

It is disgusting the size of some of the cages you can buy for them, the ones on pets at home that I saw yesterday were so so small. It shouldn't be allowed!

Definitely going to order this one you have suggested

Thank you for your advice, maybe over the next few weeks we'll have a new little friend!

[weatherall]

My DD would love one.

At what age can children be trusted to look after them eg cage cleaning? I don't want it to be another chore!

[lechers]

My seven year old needs help cleaning out her cage, but my ten year old is able to clean her hamster's cage out herself.

My seven year old is able to look after all of the hamster's other needs alone (but we were clear when they asked for them, if they didn't take responsibility and look after their hamsters, then we would sell them / pass them on. The DDs know this, and so do take care of them pretty much by themselves).

[HeyBungalowBill]

Around 7-8 is a good age for them to have sole responsibility, obviously parents have to watch over to make sure the hamster is well cared for

[throckenholt]

females are smellier

They also like to gnaw and can make a lot of noise - so make sure wherever they are at night can't keep everyone awake.

[HeyBungalowBill]

I think I'd like a female but I'm sure, the testicles on males freak me out a little as daft as that is!

I will have to see if the spare room is a good idea, it will be perfect for the hamster in the day as it's quiet upstairs and then maybe I could move the cage downstairs at night time?

[Raxacoricofallapatorius]

We have a very friendly little boy and he has a habitrail ovo with several extensions. It's easy to clean. He is very tame but we encourage the DC to only pet him for 30 mins max. He will then sit quietly on your knee. No more than 15 mins in his ball. He's a lovely little boy.

[throckenholt]

How busy is downstairs ? Ours live in the living room and never seem to have problems with that (just leave them alone for the first week or so, and then gradually tame).

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

the testicles on males freak me out

'tis a common male rodent problem

Males rats are supposed to be friendlier but when I see them lounging about with their 'nads on show......

My DD has two male guinea-pigs and they do keep their undercarriages tidily away until they lard about. Then they flipping well air them.
(Especially our previous little black abby boy)

[throckenholt]

hamster testicles make me laugh - they are ludicrously large and go in and out depending on temperature.

[lechers]

One of our male hamsters regularly uses his balls as a table. Quite funny to watch!

[70isaLimitNotaTarget]

@ testicular side tables

(The guinea-pigs are but that might just be jealousy)