adopting a hamster

[toots82]

Hi folks

My dd turns 13 tomorrow and we've finally given in and said she can have a hamster (she's been on about it since she was about 11). We are going to see a local rescue lady on Wed evening to meet some and have a chat about what cages etc. are ok depending on which hamster is the right fit for DD (I'm assuming it'll be a Syrian). I know we will need a large wheel, minimum unbroken floor space in the cage and no fluffy bedding or hamster balls anymore but any other advice, toy recommendations etc. would be super welcome. I'm looking at a pop up playpen thing for play times and cleaning time? Also, which food, what do you use for bedding now a days, am really clueless.

[yogadeb]

Ahh not much advice but wanted to say thank you for choosing to rescue and not buy from a breeder or pet shop .

So many rescue animals desperate for homes .

We had a Syrian he was so funny and very good at escaping and hiding . We adopted him from someone who really wasn’t giving him the love and time he deserved .

They love to be free so block up places where he can squeeze past and hide ...( and they chew)

[yogadeb]

This link might help ?petsathome/shop/en/p...IaAtddEALw_wcB

And
rspca.uk/adviceandwe...dents/hamsters

[400ixl]

Hamsters are very nocturnal and you will not see much of it to engage with.

Guinea pigs make much better pets than hamsters for teens. Ours has their cage opened in the morning and closed last thing at night. Between they can roam in the living room and have beds down the sides of the chair to sleep in.

[toots82]

Originally Posted by yogadeb

Ahh not much advice but wanted to say thank you for choosing to rescue and not buy from a breeder or pet shop .

So many rescue animals desperate for homes .

We had a Syrian he was so funny and very good at escaping and hiding . We adopted him from someone who really wasn’t giving him the love and time he deserved .

They love to be free so block up places where he can squeeze past and hide ...( and they chew)

See more...

Thank you and thanks for the links, I'm pleased to have found a rescue not far from us, its great to adopt rather than shopping but also selfishly it allows us to have an insight into their personalities plus handling is already established. She has a litter of Syrians in just now all at 12 weeks, but DD is falling in love with the mum who is 5 months.

[toots82]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

Hamsters are very nocturnal and you will not see much of it to engage with.

Guinea pigs make much better pets than hamsters for teens. Ours has their cage opened in the morning and closed last thing at night. Between they can roam in the living room and have beds down the sides of the chair to sleep in.

See more...

We would love this but wouldn't have the space for an indoor cage bug enough, also wouldn't be able to leave out all day with having 2 dogs. The hamster we've seen wakes around 7pm each evening so lots of time for dd to build a bond and hammy to have exercise outside the cage.

[yogadeb]

Originally Posted by 400ixl

Hamsters are very nocturnal and you will not see much of it to engage with.

Guinea pigs make much better pets than hamsters for teens. Ours has their cage opened in the morning and closed last thing at night. Between they can roam in the living room and have beds down the sides of the chair to sleep in.

See more...

I love guinea pigs and their noises they make .

Remember though they should never be kept alone . They need company whist hamsters can be kept alone as they sometimes fight violently with each other (expecially Syrians lol)

[yogadeb]

Originally Posted by toots82

We would love this but wouldn't have the space for an indoor cage bug enough, also wouldn't be able to leave out all day with having 2 dogs. The hamster we've seen wakes around 7pm each evening so lots of time for dd to build a bond and hammy to have exercise outside the cage.

See more...

Our hamster used to get up around that time and on the day sometimes too if there was activity around him ...

Syrians are hilarious when they climb and hang from top of cage

[toots82]

Originally Posted by yogadeb

Our hamster used to get up around that time and on the day sometimes too if there was activity around him ...

Syrians are hilarious when they climb and hang from top of cage

See more...

She's beyond excited. We will go on Wed and have a chat about cages and meet some hamsters, then dd can say if she would like one. The lady will keep the hamster until the cage arrives, we then need to prove we have the cage and then she can take her baby home

[nicola-disney15]

My DS got a Syrian Hamster in January last year.

At first we got her a PicoXL cage from Argos thinking it was plenty big enough (given the XL in the name) but soon realised it was far too small. She barely ever came out of her bed and when she did she was biting the bars constantly.

She is now in a Hamster Heaven and is much happier. They cost about £70 I think from Pets at Home but we got a second hand one off Ebay for £25 which was in great condition

We get shredded paper style bedding from Wilkos and Harry Hamster food from Pets at Home. Pets at Home do their own version of the food but the Harry Hamster one is so much better and no more expensive.

I'd also recommend the exercise ball from Wilkos, its much better than the one from Pets at Home

I change her bedding once a fortnight and then do a full clean once a month. We also have a sand bath in her cage which she loves, again I clean this once a fortnight as she sometimes uses it to go to the toilet (a bit like a cat litter tray).

If you are on Facebook there is a group called "Syrian Hamsters UK & Beyond" where you can get lots of handy tips