Hamster Questions

One MAJOR suggestion, be aware that hampsters usually don't live past 3 years. We bought one for my daughters 10th birthday and within 3 months (enough time for her to get attached to it) it was dead. (She bawled for a week and even now at 21 when you mention it she gets a sad look on her face) We thought maybe our daughter had done something and were quite angry so we took it to the vet to ask why it had died. He told us that it was old already and had died of natural causes, ie. old age! You can't really tell the age of a hampster just by looking at it. So, make sure that is part of the discussion with your child and also with the place you buy it. Also, their cages need to be cleaned REGULARLY to keep them from getting urinary type infections and to keep your home from smelling like a zoo. Hope that helps!
Happy mom of 8 kids, 2 dogs and 2 cocketiels...

We are very happily "critter-free". I've tried animals but found that three boys are quite enough : ) I agree that hamsters and kitty's don't mix and they are really fidgety, anxious little animals. When I was a child, every one of my hamsters got away from me and became dinner for the cat next door.

As far as expecting the 8 year old to clean the cage, I think that's reasonable depending on the 8 year old. Have him/her wear gloves. It's not difficult to teach a kid how to clean the cage, the real issue is making sure he's consistent every week without you needing to constantly hawk him.

I think I'll get a Chinchilla if anything, as I'm really allergic to other little critters. They shed the least of any animal and their excretion is barely anything by comparison. They are extremely conservative little guys...and they're darn cute!

Growing up we had quite the zoo. 2 cats, fish, hermit crabs, lizards, tutles, rats, hamsters-2 different kinds, mouse, frogs or many kinds.

Someone posted about the death of the pet, well I see it as all part of life.

Also, with cats we had those tunnels that attach cages together, and the cats got into it and killed all the hamsters. It was a masacre all over the upstairs that we discovered in the morning. Just a warning.
K.

Hi,

I would for sure keep the hampster far away from the cats. We have 4 cats, 1 dog, 4 fish, 1 lizard. One of the cats got ahold of my duaghters gerbil and needless to say she is now is heaven. The cat figured out how to move the top and took the gerbil right out of her house.

J.
www.noahbyjodi.com

ruth, i had several hamsters in my past. The only thing i can say is keep away from cats, u can mix but u need a glass tank with a screen cover with a rock or books on top because cats can get in and easy to clean. but if u buy the hamster condo or play set its all plastic sealed and no cats can get in but has to come apart to clean. good luck, trish slove

The hamster will be fine. I do recommend putting him in a glass aquarium with a mesh top. Have fun!

Hello, We have 4 cats, 2 dogs and 1 gerbil. The gerbil does great we keep her put in a kind of high place. If your 8 year old is responsible with other things then yes they probable be able to clean the cage and such.

Getting a hamster at your busy, busy house sounds like a recipe for disaster. Also, I would never ask an 8 yr-old to clean the cage. This is too young for a child to be sanitary--always washing hands well after cleaning, etc.
Amy

hi-
I've had many hamsters -- Siberian Hamsters, which are smaller than your standard hamster. I think you should be careful with your cats if u want to get one. Even if they seem fine with the hamster, when you are not around it may turn different. I used the "Crittertrail" cages and Chewy loved it. It has wheels, ladders, tunnels, etc. They love things like that. A flat cage with just a wheel is so boring for them. To clean, it's not too hard, an 8 yr old can do it. Make sure he will be consistent doing it, becuase kids bore quickly of these types of novelties.
Since our beloved Chewy died we didn't get any new hamsters since my little 15 month old girl won't think twice to stick her fingers in his cage! They are very low-maintenance and don't need much attention. They love little toys and tissue paper to make nests out of.
If you have any more hamster q's please feel free to ask.