Show me your hamsters!!!!

[rybett]

No hammies, had gerbils in college.  The clowder would most likely eat/scare the beejeebers out of small fuzzies.  But I love some of these hammie habbies.  Yes, I have just murdered the English language. 

[Desert Rose]

So much cuteness in this thread I've had 2 hamsters in my lifetime, unfortunatly they've passed on This thread really makes me wanna get one again though

[xeevee]

Awww... cute.

I am considering buying hamster/s when I move to the US in a month and a half.  I am used to having pets, but as we're only there for three years we need something short lived as we can't take things back to Australia (even if we could afford it, quarantine is very strict in Australia and a lot of animals don't make it through).  And as mentioned before, we don't have hamsters in Australia, so it would be nice to own a new animal species while I can.  Would all you hammy owners recommend them?  I do have 2 children, are they good or bad for kids?  Also, I noticed that the beds of saw dust in some of those pictures are very thick.  Is that normal?  I've owned mice before, but I never used that much saw dust.

I have been looking up info on them, but it would be nice to hear all your opinions while the thread is running.

[Souffaloufagous]

Squeeee, so much hammie cuteness!

I miss my guy I had in highschool.  Elmo, a European Black Bear hamster.  He was adorable!  The friendliest most chilled out and relaxed hamster I have ever had the pleasure of encountering, let alone owning.  He lived to be...um...I think just over 4 years old?  He had a tumor and I had to put him down before it got too painful. 

Had another hamster, a dwarf hamster named ginger.....but she wasn't very nice.

I'd love to get another baby, or even a chinchilla (want one so bad!), but my family is going from owning to renting and welll....we also have cats. Ha.

 

[Naraya]

@xeevee: Well, how old are your kids? I personally think that hamsters aren't good pets for small children. They sleep while it's day, so if the children are rather small, they might not see their pet at all. And most of my hamsters don't really like to be touched - that could be a problem, too, if the kids would like to handle them.

About the saw dust: I guess you're talking about my cage? I have noticed that there are lots of differences between Germany and for example the US when cages are concerned. Here in Germany the common opinion is that hamsters should have a bedding as high a possible, because they love to dig. And I have to say that my hamsters really appreciate the high saw dust and keep digging tunnels and caves to sleep in. We also don't use plastic in our cages (except for the wheel) and try to use natural materials like wood. I have heard that (some?) hamster owners in the US are seeing this the other way round and are strictly against wooden things and saw dust in their cage. So I can only talk about Germany.

[kaoskat]

I recommend them! For kids, I'd recommend Syrians. They are a bit larger and a typically a bit less particular about how they are handled. Be selective when choosing your ham. With children especially, you are going to want one that is used to handling and comfortable with it already. Taming isn't usually difficult, but it does take time and patience and some hammies never really come around. I'd hate for a nasty nip to be your kids' memory of their first hammy. But if you find one used to interaction, you shouldn't have any trouble, as long as no one hurts the hammy of course. As for the dust, I'm not sure what you mean. I don't see the dust. Unless, are you talking about the bedding? Some hammies like to tunnel and/or build HUGE piled up nests to sleep in so they like lots of bedding. Pixel is more of a tunneler than a giant nest builder. He sleeps buried in a couple select spots around the cage. I've had others though that will take every speck of bedding and create a mountain to sleep in leaving their cage bottom bare. If you do mean dust in the way I was first thinking (dander and dusty bedding), you can get bedding with little to no dust, and in fact that is recommend because it's better for their little respiratory systems. If you get a long hair there will be more hair and dander shed, but it's not really terribly significant. Particularly if you keep the cage clean once a week or so. Hamsters tend to be rather clean little creatures and usually will prefer to potty in one little corner of their cage if the cage is cleaned frequently. There are hamsters that have been successfully "litter trained" using a lid/container with a small amount of dirty bedding placed in their usual corner. They learn to go almost exclusively in their "litter box". I wouldn't depend on this though.

[Flutterblossom]

 

Awww... cute.

I am considering buying hamster/s when I move to the US in a month and a half.  I am used to having pets, but as we're only there for three years we need something short lived as we can't take things back to Australia (even if we could afford it, quarantine is very strict in Australia and a lot of animals don't make it through).  And as mentioned before, we don't have hamsters in Australia, so it would be nice to own a new animal species while I can.  Would all you hammy owners recommend them?  I do have 2 children, are they good or bad for kids?  Also, I noticed that the beds of saw dust in some of those pictures are very thick.  Is that normal?  I've owned mice before, but I never used that much saw dust.

I have been looking up info on them, but it would be nice to hear all your opinions while the thread is running.

Awesome! Hamsters are fun animals and kids love 'em! They live 2-3 years, so that fits your time frame! I've owned hamsters for 7 years now, so I will give you a few tips.

I recommend buying the actual hamster from a local pet shop that either breeds them there or gets them from local breeders, or buy from an in home breeder. DO NOT them buy from commercial pet stores like PetsMart or PetCo as the hamsters come from mills where they are mistreated and prone to disease. I bought a pair of gerbils from PetCo once, and one ended up dying in the first few days from wet tail disease while the other turned out to be a crazed freak who eventually killed himself (long story).

Yeah, so first try to find a local pet store or an in home breeder. Call ahead each week and ask if they have any hamsters. I recommend Syrian hamsters, specifically Long hair (teddy bear) hamsters for children because of their easy going and calm nature. Do not get dwarf hamsters because they are very small and extremely active. Not good for kids.

Pick out a hamster who has bright eyes and soft, clean, healthy furr. You may have to come back several times to find the right one you want. Don't buy any adults, try to buy young ones. Only buy ONE hamster because hamsters live alone and will try to kill each other when put in the same cage.

I recommend buying an aquarium for the hamster's cage. 12 gallon is an appropriate starting size, but you get the largest you have room for.A 20 gallon 12 inch high long tank is a good size for a Syrian. Don't fall for all those silly colorful ones with tubes and slides as hamsters tend to chew those up and feel cramped.

A hamster wheel is also very important. Buy a hamster wheel with a flat bottom, no wheels with little holes in the bottom as hamsters feet get stuck in them. Keep the wheel in its cage.

Next you need to buy a sleeping house, a water bottle, shavings, and a food dish. A ceramic food dish is best because they can't chew it. A basic water bottle that attaches to the side is good. And as for shavings, buy Aspen Wood Shavings. They absorb oders and are generally dust free. For the house, you can choose whatever you want. Plastic igloos, wooden houses, ceramic houses, anything that fits. You can even make your own if you are wood crafty. But try to get something that's similar to the house your hamster grew up in. Use toilet paper for bedding, do not buy any of those so called "Fluff Bedding" they sell because they can choke hamsters.

All right! Time for food! Buy a hamster food mix that looks like it doesn't contain a lot of sun flower seeds, as those are fattening. Try to stick with the same brand. Hamsters also eat a lot of the same foods we eat. They love all fruits, with the exception of citris fruits like oranges and lemons because the acid burns their stomachs. So strawberrys, apples, grapes, you name it. They also love all veggies with the exception of lettuce because it makes them sick. So carrots, broccoli, anything. You can also feed them no-sugar cereals such as Cheerios. Give them a small portion of one fruit or veggie a week along with their normal food. They love it!

Make sure the cage is set up and ready to go before you bring your hamster home. Leave him/her in there by theirselves for a week undesturbed. He/she has to get used to their new home, and calm down a bit. Put a heavy book on top of the lid so hammy won't escape. After a week you can start taming them! Hamsters are nocturnal, so they sleep during the day. A good time to handle them is around 7-9 pm. Give him/her small bits of food everyday out of your hand. Once they get used to your hand, you can even pet them. Talk to them calmly so they can get used to your voice. Then, you can try to pick them up. Cup them in your hands and do not squeeze them. After they get used to this, you can start having fun with them. But keep in mind, all hamsters are different. Some like to be held and petted, while others prefer to run around. I had a hamster who loved to be held so much, he would fall asleep on me. A also have one right now who prefers not to be held, but to explore.

You can buy fun hamster toys like tunnels, hamster balls, little houses, and more that your hamster can play in outside the cage. You should buy a little playpen and fill it with fun activities and toys to watch the hamster explore. Always supervise them outside the cage, they are nature's escape artists.

Kids find them cute and entertaining to watch. A good age for hamster handling to start is 8-10 years old. Younger siblings can watch and pet them too, but remind them it is a real animal and you must be careful not to drop them. Supervise your kids during hamster playtime.

Well I hope you find this info useful and if you have any questions or need any more tips you can always ask here or pm me! Hamsters are awesome pets and are relatively easy to care for. They bring years of fun! Oh yes, and be sure to clean out their cage once a month and replace the shavings. I hope you decide to get one!

Post Merge: July 25, 2012, 08:06:15 AM

 Also, here is a video of my Teddy Bear hamster Checkers with my friend's mice. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3i27lmV_a-c
ignore the weird voices, lol.

And here is my YouTube channel if you want to watch more videos of my hamsters. Pepper and Blackberry are passed away, but Checkers is still alive. http://www.youtube.com/user/mipster0479

Any videos with Zhu Zhu Pets (except one) include a real hamster at the end.

[MonstarNomNom]

I had a couple hammies when I was younger, neither of them lived long though ;[ But I loved them to absolute pieces when I had them My brother has a hamster now named Tux Literally the sweetest hamster EVER! I definitely suggest black bear hammies He's never bitten and loves to snuggle! <3 Mine were both long haired teddy bears :>

I now have two precious guinea pigs, Rufio and Bang-a-Rang ;D Who are going to take up my whole room when I'm back off for college! lol I wouldn't have it any other way

[BlackCurtains]

I recommend Syrian hamsters, specifically Long hair (teddy bear) hamsters for children because of their easy going and calm nature...

10 gallon is an appropriate size, but you can get the largest you have room for.

A ten gallon aquarium is definitely NOT appropriate for a syrian I'm hoping you mistyped? 20 gallon LONG is the minimum for a syrian.

[Flutterblossom]

I recommend Syrian hamsters, specifically Long hair (teddy bear) hamsters for children because of their easy going and calm nature...

10 gallon is an appropriate size, but you can get the largest you have room for.

A ten gallon aquarium is definitely NOT appropriate for a syrian I'm hoping you mistyped? 20 gallon LONG is the minimum for a syrian.

Yeah, I think I mistyped that. Thanks for pointing it out! I was just looking at my hamster's cage in my room and estimating...The dimensions are about 20 inches long by 12 inches wide by 12 inches high. That is the smallest acceptable hamster cage I own. I ment to say around 10 is the smallest size or starting size. I'll go back and edit it!

[xeevee]

thanks everyone.  Kaos, saw dust is what we call wood shavings in Australia.  Sorry about that   So I meant the very deep bedding.  I am glad I asked about that, because no where I have read mentioned them wanting to dig tunnels, just that you should use wood shavings for bedding. 

ETA, don't worry about me not getting a too small of a cage.  I am a zoologist, and I appreciate the need to lots of space for an animal.  If anything my hamster will have a giant enclosure he or she will get lost in, and everyone will look at and say, why do you have an empty aquarium full of hamster toys?

[kaoskat]

Saw dust!!!!!!!! LOL I misread the sentence! *is doofus*

[Dibbles]

Very cute hamsters, everyone! I have never had a hamster, but I had mice when I was in junior high school. I think it would be cool to have a rat!

[Shaiyeh]

I have one hammy right now, whose name is Pumpkin
before that I've had....
let's see
Snowy, Kokosyvum, Minty, Olle, Sotis, Sture and Sten-Jörgen.
let'ss see if I can dig out some picturrs
here's Snowy on youtube
ignore my hair, lol. he died shortly after this :C he was a WW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6kZWvTiI5MY&feature=plcp

this is the pummster. (syrian)
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this is sten-Jörgen. he was my first hamster, and  have almost no photos of him :C
(and mostly just bad photos ) he was also a WW
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Sture, also a WW. we had him at the same time as Jörgen.
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I don't know if I have pics of any of the others... I should have, but don't know where. I'll post if I can find them

[Naraya]

Pumpkin is so cute!