to be counting down the days until our hamster dies?

[SnuggMugg]

Just that really. 30 weeks pregnant and irritable. I hate our hamster. Is smells after a day. It makes a massive racket on its wheel. It has a horrid ugly cage. I feel guilty knowing it can't run around like a wild hamster should/would. It's just annoying and pointless. Hardly ever gets played with by DD. Am I a vile human being to have had a fleeting thought re how nice it is going to be when hamster is no more and refusing to get another?

We had some lovely hamsters and we had some buggers. I didn't mind them, bar one. It was a nasty, vicious little wretch. It hated being handled, despite our years of experience with them. It appeared to have had a stroke at one point, so we took it to the vet, who said that it would be kindest to have it PTS. As he was examining it, the little shit tried to savage him! It was the only one I disliked and regretted getting. They can smell, so I suspect it is in too small a cage. I used to wash the cage out with Dettol to get rid of any pongs.

You are cruel and your attitude is appalling. Get a bigger cage or get a grip.

I know that an animal that runs 10k or more a day in the wild shouldn't be kept in a tiny stinky cage and not be played with

Sign it up for a Race for Life if it'll make you feel better.

I don’t really understand why anyone would buy a hamster for a child - as they are nocturnal I don’t see what benefits a kid would gat!

I have loved every one of our hamsters (all of which we had before children, except our last one who passed away when our LO was 1).

How old is your hammie? Male or female? You can buy bedding that significantly reduces the smell. Also as they wee in the same place, if you’re able to, just change that bit every day. A quiet wheel is a must as (in my opinion) is a large cage - look at habitrail ones, not cheap but a bit nicer to look at!

But if you don’t fancy any of that rehome. If you’re near Hampshire/Surrey let me know.

SnuggMugg you can be more sensitive to smells and tastes so maybe you are picking it up more than the rest of your family

@Ansumpasty we got her a ball but turns out they're actually really bad for them, they cause their backs to bend unnaturally. Same with wheels which is why I bought it one of those flat wheels which is super hard noisy (but apparently best for hamster health).

I just think it is mad pets like this are domesticated when they shouldn't be and am in a grump with DP for getting it without asking me in the first place!

Miss our hamster. He was great fun. He'd be up and awake from about 8.00 pm and climb the stairs to bed around 11.00 am.

Littlecandle using Dettol with rodents is dangeorous as it disrupts biological processes. I’m not surprised it had a stroke and the. For you to call it a “little shit” after you’ve caused irreparable damage just highlights how thick you are as well as cruel. Don’t get any more pets.

@CageyBee I'm not really cruel am I. What have I done that's cruel? It's not like I'm going to kill it, or don't feed it. I just think hamsters must be miserable and I wouldn't be sad if it passed away gently in its sleep tonight

Why is pregnancy an excuse to be vile? A hamster is still an animal. Rehome the poor thing.

Buy a silent hamster wheel and a hamster litter tray/toilet. Yes really. Hamsters go in the same place, so you can just pick this bit up, empty it and wipe it and pop it back in every day or two and the clean out properly every week or two.
Our hamster is no problem, but we have a big cage, silent wheel and the litter tray and my DS plays with her all the time.
I feel sorry for the hamster, it doesn't sound like anyone is interested in him.

People on here are so sensitive I swear I'm not going to kill the damn thing! I've bought it an amazing wheel that is best for its back. Got rid of it's ball when I found it it causes back problems. It's cleaned every 3/4 days. Fed. Watered. I just don't play with it as I don't like hamsters. I just wouldn't be sad if due to old age it passed away tomorrow because it must be bored shitless (and also does my head in).

Sigh. Ok. IABU clearly 🤣

Do they still do the plastic balls for them to run around in or are they too cruel now?

I’ve only ever had one hamster as a child. My Dad bought me it after I’d begged for one for months. Mum resented that because, like you, she ended up caring for it. It was a vicious little twat and I was scared of it too. I’ve never liked hamsters since. That hamster used to run around the living room in a plastic ball though to burn off energy.

They do stink.

'What is it with all these callous animal posts lately?'

Quite

Ahh xpost, just saw that balls are now considered bad. Luckily for you, hamsters aren’t known to live very long.

@OutPinked the balls are really bad for hamsters. RSPCA does not support their use. They basically just stress hamsters out.

XP @OutPinked

Snuggmugg
My neighbours daughter is studying animal management & desperate for a hamster. Are you in London? . (they were planning on getting one after summer hols).

If the cage smells after a day then you probably have the poor thing in a tiny cage. My hamster is in a hamster heaven cage that is 50 x 80cm.

Good luck with rehoming, I've seen hamsters in our local animal rescue centre as well as the rehoming section of Pets at Home. In the meantime, there are some animal-friendly cleaning products available in pet shops and please check but I believe you can use sunflower oil on the wheel to lessen the squeak.

@CSIblonde sorry, I'm in Devon 👎🏻

My friends hamster lived for 6years mind!

If it's chewing its bars and smells right away then that is a sure sign that the cage is far too small. Cage should be a good metre long and about half that wide. Levels don't make up for floor space either. Syrians need a lot more space than you think. If he has enough room then he will likely pick a corner for peeing that can just be scooped out daily. They're actually quite clean, hygienic animals when they're kept properly.

Check his teeth too. Chronic bar chewing can be a sign of them trying the wear down a problem tooth. If so the offending tooth can be easily and cheaply clipped by a vet. I have done my dwarf hamsters teeth myself with cat claw clippers. He was a little sweetie but some don't sit still and it's easier to get a vet to do it.

@crazycatgal ours is 50x70 but for some reason stinks after a day or two. Might be my sense of smell however as I'm like a blood hound and DP claims he can't smell it!

I get you OP. I like animals but I don't 'get' the idea of pets. Especially caged ones. I think they must be so bored most of the time, deprived of the opportunity to live a full/ natural/ wild/ fulfilling life....

And despite all protestations to the contrary, the cleaning/ clearing is usually just another chore for the mum.

I hope you can rehome it soon. It was foisted on you by surprise so it is your DH who was irresponsible in getting it. You've got other demands on your time and emotional resources.