Hamster

[Hibernatalie]

My 7 year old is desperate for one. Also considering a pair of gerbils. No to rats and Guinea pigs.

Experiences of hamsters? Any big regrets or basically fine? I loved mine as a kid…

I have had a few hamsters and now dd has one. We got one when dd was about 7 but dh and I knew what we were dealing with, kept her in the living room not bedroom, took her out a little every day etc. dd liked her but was too nervous to interact so didn't love her.

Dd then got her own aged 14. She did heaps of research, has a huge cage, loads of enrichment toys and spent hours taming her. She is the sweetest thing ever, her hours are now closely aligned to dds so she sleeps in the day when dd is at school but gets up at teatime then goes back to sleep when dd does. Dd has her out for an hour or two every day. She is an excellent pet. But this is wholly down to the effort dd makes with her.

The main benefit of hamsters is that they're short lived. Children invariably tire of them and the parent ends up dutifully cleaning the cage and feeding them but no one finds any of it fun. Why do kids need captive rodents to entertain them? I don't get it.

I don't think it is about 'entertain'.
It is about loving, and learning to care for something that is entirely reliant on you.
DD finds the guinea pigs very calming too.

Guinea pigs are shite pets, really hard to socialise and just shit and eat all day. They also need a lot of space, so probably not ideal in a flat

Can’t have Guinea pigs as don’t have the space outside (or inside for that matter!) and can’t have rats as my mum is here a lot and has a phobia of them following a childhood trauma. This phobia doesn’t extend to other rodents.

I am fully aware of what great pets both make, but as stated in OP, not considering either.

Thanks for the intel on hamsters - much appreciated. I had them as a kid and loved them, but having researched more I think we are going to go for a pair of gerbils - just looking for a big enough gerbilarium as the ones at the pet shops I’ve seen so far are too small. Will keep looking!

No I wouldn’t get a hamster they are known to bite why not rats or Guinea pigs? They are much better for kids pets imo I had tons growing up!

Rats are very intelligent - a student dd had one, he’d come when called by name - was free range in her very grotty student house much of the time. She used to take him
to the pub snuggled in her jumper - he enjoyed sharing her crisps!

They only live a few years so keep that in mind!

toastofthetown Thankyou so much for that link! I have just ordered my Syrian hamster a new cage mentioned in the link. I’ve been looking for a new cage for ages without success - most are tiny. My hamster had the largest cage Pets At Home sell but this is too small.

I take my hamster out of his cage every night and let him have a run around but can’t wait for his new spacious cage to arrive!!