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Original poster

My DD being bullied. Going to get hamster. Advice please!

156 replies

Hamsterthoughts · 21/12/2020 08:36

So... long story.

Dealing with the school and it will improve.
However I am desperate to do something to make her happier in the interim.

She has been desperate for a hamster for last two years. She’s deeply caring and very responsible, so I have no doubts about her caring for it (with my help)

I’m very house proud though. So that’s concerning!

My questions
What are they like as hamsters?
What’s upkeep like?
Are they affectionate?
Do they smell?!
Best place to keep them?
Best breed to get?

Thanks so much

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
DougRossIsTheBoss · 21/12/2020 10:23

I guess we must have been lucky with our hamsters but honestly
-They never bit anyone apart from once the first week and that was not exactly painful

  • they would get up and be active when we got home from school/ work about 4/5pm and would also often be up waiting at breakfast too
  • there was a bit of smell but not terrible and easily managed if cage cleaned regularly
  • whilst I would not say they were loving they were charming to watch and did interact with us running about up sleeves etc. When they'd got very tame they regularly used to fall asleep being cuddled by DD on the sofa.
  • I think they are a very suitable pet for an older child if you have limited space , money and time.
WhatWouldYouDoWhatWouldJesusDo · 21/12/2020 10:27

The cage my DD has is around a metre long and has a very, deep tray so no mess from sawdust kickback. .........hers lives on the landing and causes no issues. It's a friendly little thing. If you get one make sure they let you handle it first as some can be very bitey.

Luffsmypup · 21/12/2020 10:27

Weve had a Syrian hamster and she was a great first pet for us. My advice would be:
Spot clean toilet area everyday to minimise smells from their urine.
Don’t keep in a bedroom as they are very noisy during the night chewing the metal bars
Always double check the cage is secure as they are great escape artists
Get as big a cage as you can so you can fit lots of toys.
Unfortunately they don’t live very long, ours only lasted just over a year even though she was very looked after.
Guinea pig instead? Still the same work but a bit less bitey.

Hope your new pet puts a big smile on the face of your DD.

knittingaddict · 21/12/2020 10:28

Don't.

My daughter bought a hamster fir her primary aged children. It has an amazing environment to live in and they never see the thing. It is never awake when the children are and prefers being snug in it's burrow. When it is awake it's very cute and friendly, but I would say that it's a rubbish pet for small children.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 21/12/2020 10:29

We had a Syrian and then 2 Russian dwarfs and they were all lovely pets. The Russians weren't particularly punk. I think they were a bit stupider than the Syrian (their escape attempts were a bit pathetic as they always went to the same place and gave up really easily)
We got the Russians so we could have 2 together (you can only do that if they are females from the same litter) and it was charming to watch their interactions. They would sleep together all bundled up in a ball but then occasionally have arguments and one would move out and build another nest and then 2 days later they'd make up and be back together again.

SavoyCabbage · 21/12/2020 10:29

My dc had mice when they were in primary school and they were great as they woke up about four in the afternoon. They were really fun pets. Dc got a lot of pleasure from making them different obstacle courses from boxes etc. I'd definitely recommend them over hamsters.

I'd get a cat if I lived in a flat though, and I don't even like cats.

Figgygal · 21/12/2020 10:30

Hamsters are poor pets for children you rarely see them as they largely nocturnal unless you’re willing to wake them up in which case they will bite
Cages that they sell in stores are wilfully unsuitable we have a large glass Vivarium for our mice which previously housed the hamster
You cannot keep guinea pigs in a flat for they are good or yours that is just not gonna work

Billericaydicky · 21/12/2020 10:30

Great decision, piggies are friendly and easy to handle for children. Definitely get girls, I think the boys can be a bit wiffy.

Original poster
Hamsterthoughts · 21/12/2020 10:32

Really? Rats?

Never occurred to me
Would 1 be ok?
Big cage required?
Smelly?!

OP posts:
oakleaffy · 21/12/2020 10:33

@Hamsterthoughts

Hamsters are nocturnal, and can be quite aggressive.

Gerbils are much nicer {in my opinion,} and if they have a glass tank with clean peat and sawdust for burrowing, they are in seventh heaven...And the peat mix does not spill out of the tank.
DS had two females that lived for 5 years. Easy to care for, friendly, never bit, dear little things.

Gerbils don't smell, either.

SockDrawer · 21/12/2020 10:36

do I need to get a really big cage

You’ll need a big cage even if you get a hamster. The ‘starter’ set ups from pet shops are just cruel.

For what it’s worth I understand you want to make your daughter happy but I don’t think you should jump to getting her a pet without considering your flat, your own time and whether it’s the right thing for the animal so very carefully.

If you’re really, really set on getting a hamster then I recommend Munchies Place on YouTube to help you figure out cages/tanks.

DougRossIsTheBoss · 21/12/2020 10:37

My DC enjoyed making toys and obstacle courses for the hamsters. I mean they didn't necessarily run in a straight line where they were supposed to but the kids didn't seem to mind. They are not really trainable but ours did learn that if you come when you are called then you get treats and to come out and run around.
They would usually appear at the bars of their cage whenever people were around in the dining room where their cage was.
They honestly did seem pretty interested in us.
They are completely silent so they wouldn't squeak to attract attention but they could communicate 'come on let me out'

oakleaffy · 21/12/2020 10:40

@Hamsterthoughts

Really? Rats?

Never occurred to me
Would 1 be ok?
Big cage required?
Smelly?!

Rats are very friendly and intelligent. Yes, they do require a big cage.

My schoolfriend's parents { uber houseproud} allowed her to keep gerbils as their impact on the household in terms of odour and mess was so minimal.

Gerbils also are small, so don't need such a huge enclosure as Rats do.

SavoyCabbage · 21/12/2020 10:44

Oh rats are great pets. My sister had one when we were growing up and he used to just sit on her shoulder like something from an Enid Blyton adventure book.

oakleaffy · 21/12/2020 10:48

Edit : Rats and gerbils need company of their own kind.
{but same gender!}

Hamsters are solitary.

If your daughter is set on a hamster, then get a decent sized cage.
Don't get one of those awful ''Exercise balls'' where the animal fits inside, they are so cruel.

Get one young, and handle him or her frequently so he or she is used to it. Some can bite, if not handled from an early age.

speakout · 21/12/2020 10:51

On hamster behaviour- this can vary a lot.
I had several hamsters as a child, and my DD has have several too over the years.
Some hamsters are very docile- I had one that would sleep up my sleeve- others quite agressive.
You won't know the nature of a hamster when you buy it- theaay are all skittish and nervous in the early days.
Try to tame as much as you can after allowing a few days to settle down.
Offer food with the hand, be very calm and gentle. Daily contact is best- in the evening once the hamster wakes up naturally- they will all be grumpy if you wake them during the day.
If you are lucky you will get a hamster that becomes quite tame- some will never get to that stage though.
And be careful of the teeth- much bigger than you think and razor sharp!

MaryLeeOnHigh · 21/12/2020 10:57

How sensitive is your daughter? Be aware that you will have a little tragedy every three years or so as they don't live that long.

LazyHazel · 21/12/2020 11:01

*do I need to get a really big cage
*
You’ll need a big cage even if you get a hamster. The ‘starter’ set ups from pet shops are just cruel.

Totally agree with this. Research hamster homes - the bigger the cage the better. None of the ones sold at pets at home are big enough at all. We ended up joining a few cages together, but if I could start again, I would have made an Ikea detolf enclosure.

All animals need a big space to move around. So, yes, you should be aiming for the biggest animal home you can provide. I personally don't think guinea pigs should be kept indoors in just a hutch - they should also have access to a 'run' during the day.

TheFairyCaravan · 21/12/2020 11:03

Hamsters are vicious little bastards and will keep the house awake all night

No they’re not. We’ve had loads of hamsters over the years and not one has been bitey.

@Hamsterthoughts Syrian hamsters are lovely pets. Do not get 2. One is enough. Don’t buy any of the cages that are sold in Pets at Home because they’re far too small. We’ve got our hamster in an Alaska from Zooplus with lots of toys and a massive wheel.

I’ve only had this hamster since Friday, she’s 6 weeks old and came from a breeder so she’s already used to being handled and I know she’s well.

We’ve got 2 Guinea pigs too, they’re much more work than the hamster but they’re lovely. Guinea pigs need to be kept in pairs or more. If you do decide to get them please look into adoption, there’s loads in rescues.

DumplingsAndStew · 21/12/2020 11:03

Yes you need a big cage regardless. If you're going to skimp on space, don't get any of the mentioned pets.

Original poster
Hamsterthoughts · 21/12/2020 11:09

Ok

I’m thinking two rats!!

Can’t believe it.
I’m looking at rehoming sites or given in a first timer - better to buy from pet shop?

OP posts:
lots33 · 21/12/2020 11:10

I’d get a kitten. Rag dolls are very affectionate and loving and should be house cats so the flat isn’t an issue. Ours are very clean, and don’t smell, we scoop the trays as soon as they poo and use clumping litter to scoop wee.
They are beautiful and very friendly and no cage needed.
But I am a cat lover so biased!
We had various hamsters and gerbils as children and were bored of them after a fortnight.

alpinia · 21/12/2020 11:13

Guinea pigs all the way! Two don't need that much more space than 1. They actually like human interaction, are a better size for children and are just all round nice pets. They also don't smell as much as some of the smaller rodents. Any breed of piggie will do, I had loads as a kid and they were all great.

A friend had rats that were cared for like kings but there was always a smell.

Batmanandbobbin · 21/12/2020 11:18

I rehomed some guinea pigs this year after son pestering for years he wanted a rabbit. I had hamsters and rabbits when younger and neither affectionate. These Pigs are beautiful creatures (and I think I love them more than my dogs Blush) they go and play with younger son chat to him sit on his knee while he’s watching a film. Older son has them out on FaceTime all the time. They are indoors atm but outdoor when I got them in the spring. They’re not too smelly and fairly cheap to keep.

Flowerpot345 · 21/12/2020 11:18

I agree ragdolls are absolutely beautiful!

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