Hamster: adopt or shop?

[fenulla]

DD wants a hamster. I feel I should at least consider re homing a second hand one, as it were. There are a couple of 10 week old hammies in Pets R Us who need adopting (brought in by someone whose hamster had a litter) and I'm tempted but worried that being "strays" as it were, they might only last five minutes rather than the usual 20
I'd appreciate any advice
Thanks in advance

Ooh please rescue one from PAH!

Hamsters usually only last five minutes anyway. They have really short lifespans.

I'm tempted to re home and I know they have short life expectancy but I'm just a bit nervous about it only lasting 3 months rather than 2 years

I took in a 10 week old mouse. He didn't get on with his litter mates and was apparently bitey so no one wanted him.
Hes the friendliest little mouse ever and I've now had him a year and a half and he's going strong
So chances are they'll live a perfectly acceptable life if you adopt them.

The absolute minimum to rehire a Syrian hamster is 6 weeks old, 8 weeks old is better. There will be literally no difference between an 8 and 10 week old baby hamster compared to the two years it will be expected to live. (10 weeks means it was bought last week, bit a child who stuck their hand into the cage and grabbed it to play with with no warning, child now won’t touch it, so back to the shop it goes). Go for it.

Rehire? Rehome.

@HerRoyalHappiness

I took in a 10 week old mouse. He didn't get on with his litter mates and was apparently bitey so no one wanted him. Hes the friendliest little mouse ever and I've now had him a year and a half and he's going strong So chances are they'll live a perfectly acceptable life if you adopt them.

Awww, cute

@BestZebbie

The absolute minimum to rehire a Syrian hamster is 6 weeks old, 8 weeks old is better. There will be literally no difference between an 8 and 10 week old baby hamster compared to the two years it will be expected to live. (10 weeks means it was bought last week, bit a child who stuck their hand into the cage and grabbed it to play with with no warning, child now won’t touch it, so back to the shop it goes). Go for it.

They were brought in together, from a litter born at home I think I'm going to adopt, feels like an easy way of doing something good 🤣

Yay Op!

I don’t think you’ll regret it. I had a rabbit from PAH- rescued adult not one of the new babies they sell. He was a retired magician’s bunny, while with blue eyes.

He was already 6 but I couldn’t not, how awful to work all your life in a magic show jumping out of a hat and get turfed out to be sold at PAH :(

He was a companion for my widowed bunny Joan Collins, and the two more years I got out of him was worth every penny. Man I miss I that magic bunny.

The mouse is super cute @HerRoyalHappiness

retired magicians bunny
That's fabulous

I had a pair of adopted Guinea pigs, they lived as long as the pedigree long haired ones I’d bought years earlier.

Thanks so much for the advice
Lovely stories
Can't wait to collect her now

We had an adopted one called Bear. He lived for almost 4 years and DH and I were besotted. He was given back to PAH as he was bitey. I have fond memories of him escaping the cardboard box (which we took him home in) on the dual carriageway. He loved roast chicken and mangetout. Enjoy OP and thanks for reminding me of the happy memories!

I am beside myself with impatience- waiting for delivery of suitable hamster house
Went to visit her today- she's so soft. Feel really bad that her sister will be left there 😭

Adopt! we adopted one who we noticed screaming in PAH - I didn't know hamsters even could scream ☹️ he was so traumatised by his previous home.
We got him home, put his cage in lounge with us and just left him, except to feed him. Within a week he was out of his hidey hole, watching TV over our shoulders and interacting on his terms. He was a fantastic little chap.

@Annonnimoouse42

Adopt! we adopted one who we noticed screaming in PAH - I didn't know hamsters even could scream ☹️ he was so traumatised by his previous home. We got him home, put his cage in lounge with us and just left him, except to feed him. Within a week he was out of his hidey hole, watching TV over our shoulders and interacting on his terms. He was a fantastic little chap.

❤️

I adopted a hammy from PAH and he lived longer than any other hammy I'd had before!

Here she is

Aww so sweet! What have you called her?

@WheelieBinPrincess

Aww so sweet! What have you called her?

Thank you Not named yet. She's staying with my friend until DD's birthday I am beyond excited

Gorgeous hammy!