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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To get a hamster?

52 replies

IWantAHamster · 07/10/2014 20:16

I really want a pet. However right now I live on my own in a flat and don't have enough room for a dog or cat.

Even though I know they're not the most exciting pets and that they're stereotypcal children's pets but I think a hamster would be the best option for me right now.

So if I go to Pets at Home will it look odd if I, as a 27 year old woman with no kids in tow, to say "I would like to buy a hamster please?"

OP posts:
Original poster
IWantAHamster · 07/10/2014 20:58

Not that it matters but I'm actually 25, not 27 - I don't know why I put 27 in my OP. I'm clearly away with the fairies.

OP posts:
Worriedkat · 07/10/2014 21:11

I used to keep pedigree hamsters in my 20's. Try and source one via a hamster club in your area. Far better for a healthy animal and not sold for profit if the owner is one of the good hobbyists.

Bigoldsupermoon · 07/10/2014 21:11

Would you consider a rat, OP? They make absolutely gorgeous pets - really affectionate (especially albino males), playful, intelligent and cute. And they live longer/do more than hamsters, too - you can carry them round on your shoulder/in a hoody, play games and tricks with them, and let them run around on the back of the sofa.

I miss my rats! Grin

cherrybombxo · 07/10/2014 21:18

DP and I are 24 and had a hamster called George up until a couple of months ago. He was really sweet, I say go for it!

Theas18 · 07/10/2014 21:21

I have gerbils. They are mine. I luffs em!

Amy106 · 07/10/2014 21:38

If you want a hamster, then you should get yourself one. It will be a lucky hamster to have an owner that really wants it and is in a position to take good care of it. I don't see them as just children's pets. They are a good choice for any one looking for a small pet. Enjoy your new friend! Smile

CurlyhairedAssassin · 07/10/2014 21:44

No to a hamster from Pets at H. I don't know anyone who's had one from there which had died of old age.

I second on getting one from a breeder. The regional Hamster Clubs will put on shows every few months and will also have some babies ready to sell. You could google your nearest club and then contact the name of the people running the next show to find out when it is and if youcan put your name down for a baby one. They will have been bred properly and will live to a ripe old age (well, 2-3 yrs which is OAP for a hamster). And won't be prone to developing tumours like some pet shop ones. Or wet tail. And they will have been handled already a lot.

Mumoftwomonkeys1976 · 07/10/2014 21:49

Definitely agree with getting rats, I have two and they are wonderful, loving pets

tshirtsuntan · 07/10/2014 21:52

Dave is a cat's name- Keith, Helen and Rory are for hamsters Grin

tshirtsuntan · 07/10/2014 21:53

Ooh, also we have a 27 month old hamster from pets at home, he's lovely and in good health.

mum9876 · 07/10/2014 22:06

Syrians are quite nice - they come out to greet you all smiley and fluffy. We got ours from an independent pet shop and she didn't last long (about 18 months). The wheels are much quieter than they used to be but I wouldn't have one in my bedroom. We found we got hamster guilt though for not taking her out enough. Ours was very wriggly and leapt out of your hands for quite a long time. So not really relaxing as such. We're moving onto fish now.

woodwaj · 07/10/2014 22:10

Here is my Keith (rip) he was from pets at home lasted to nearly 3 years old. I won't get another hamster just because he was a right character any other wouldn't live up to him.

To get a hamster?
steff13 · 07/10/2014 22:11

I'd get a pair of rats. Rats are excellent pets.

Bigoldsupermoon · 07/10/2014 22:11

high-fives Mumoftwomonkeys

Having had both rats and hamsters, I also find rats less snappy/nippy.

#TeamRat!

TheFairyCaravan · 07/10/2014 22:15

I've got 2 hamsters, they are called Rupert and Neville. They are mine, all mine, the kids (19&17) think I share them with them but I don't I just take advantage of their cleaning out skills.

Hamsters are great pets,imo. They have different personalities. Neville is a little mischief maker, Rupert's a people hamster, he loves company, cuddles and naps in my bed. He used to sleep on my shoulder but he is 2 years 7 months now so is a bit old for that. They are both toilet trained so their cages don't smell.

I spoil my hamsters rotten, DH says they are looked after better than him!

Icimoi · 07/10/2014 22:16

Hamsters are cute, but you have to prepare yourself to have to cope with regular tragedies as they only live to around 2-3 years. Also make sure you have a properly escape proof cage. We were seduced into buying a splendid plastic thing with lots of exciting little tunnels etc for dd's first hamster, and sadly she chewed her way through something and escaped Sad.

You might like to think about a chinchilla. DD also had one of those, and he was excellent fun - and longer lived than the hamsters.

mustgetabackbone · 07/10/2014 22:21

This is our family hamster (I bought him under the pretence of him being for Ds1) He was from the rescue at Pah, he was handed in as he was too big. Pre named Thor, very apt!

To get a hamster?
woodwaj · 07/10/2014 22:21

Agree with the getting a decent cage i went through loads...too noisy with metal bars and he eventually chewed through them. Ones with tunnels a nightmare to clean!! Invest in a good one!!

NatashaGurdin · 07/10/2014 22:23

My 19 year old DSD has just got two female gerbils. They are called Turk and JD because one is black and one is white. (Her BoyF suggested their names) Hmm

They are quite entertaining, a bit like small herbivore rats. Smile, very clean and don't smell at all.

The black one is very friendly, the white one is not but they play with each other all the time and are very cute when they curl up asleep together and when they start chewing either end of a toilet or kitchen roll or when they box with each other or dig tunnels, especially when they pop up from the sawdust wearing sawdust hats! Grin

TheFairyCaravan · 07/10/2014 22:30

Rupert in the garden

Neville when he was a baby

To get a hamster?
To get a hamster?
BestZebbie · 07/10/2014 23:44

Although hamsters are only associated with children in the public eye, a huge chunk of the membership of the three UK hamster clubs is made up of women in their mid twenties and thirties! You are in a totally normal demographic for hamster owning right now. :)

hamsters-uk.org/component/option,com_weblinks/catid,20/Itemid,58/

BestZebbie · 07/10/2014 23:46

(As that link didn't work, here is the main site one: hamsters-uk.org)

Holliewantstobehot · 07/10/2014 23:52

I've got a hamster called Gary. I bought him for the kids but I am surprised by how much I love him! He's so cute and does ninja climbing upside down across the top of his cage. He gets spoilt rotten, I am always buying him bits and pieces.

Missus2ndwife · 07/10/2014 23:52

I haven't read through this post only your original post and yes! You can get a hamster!! I had two in my 30's and loved them! Great companions. I can't wait until my baby is big enough to get him his own hamster Grin

sunflower49 · 07/10/2014 23:56

YANBU. Hamsters are my absolute favourite of all rodents.

Go to a rescue, there are tonnes of them that people buy and then get rid of because they bite/aren't up when their children are/need vet treatment and they can't afford it etc.So usually young and needing another chance at life.
Pets at Home cages for hamsters are too small, too. Hamsters in the wild travel up to 5 miles per night, and need a lot of room to be happy.

I ran a rodent rescue for years. Hamsters aren't boring or kid's pets, they're delightful, bright, cute, fascinating little animals and can be a lot of fun to tame and take care of.

I agree they're rubbish for kids, being largely nocturnal and needing a fair bit of work to tame them (usually).