hamsters

[petes_dragon]

Hi,

Does anyone know what the right age is for a child to have his first pet hamster?

My son is almost 4 and is DESPERATE for a pet and we thought that a hamster would be a good idea - but is he too young?

Thanks in Advance

A xXx

[clair3934]

Hamsters do not make good pets for children they tend to be to rough with them and the hammy then ends up biteing, if you want to get a nice pet for your little boy I would go for a rat they are much more intelligent, friendly and robust or maybe a G-pig but most deffinatley not a hammy or a rabbit for that matter they don't like to be grabbed by little hands.
By the way I'm not a fan of hamsters in fact I would go so far as to say I hate them to bits but my advice is sound. hope that helps bit :-)

[fairkatrina]

I quite like hamsters but I agree, anything that has teeth and knows how to use them isn't a good idea around a 4 year old! I know some people are very squeamish about rats but they really are very clean and exceptionally intelligent. Moreover they stand up to a child's handling! You could always stick to goldfish if you don't fancy your chances of not getting bitten, and a fish is easier to look after once he's got bored of it (and he will). If it needs to be something furry you could always try a chinchilla, but they're a little nervous initially so if he's boisterous they're not a good idea as it just won't go near him!

[lankeela]

Whatever you choose, you will have to be responsible for feeding and cleaning it, as a four year old cannot be expected to do it all. Of course he can help and you can do it together, maybe before he goes off to play, to teach him that animals have to come first.

Hamsters tend to come out at night too, so he will probably be asleep when hammy isn't. It will also keep you awake running round in his wheel. Gerbils do run around during the day, but get two as they like company (make sure they are both the same sex!). They are not quite so nibbly as hammies either. Steer clear of mice, as they are very smelly.

[horsestache1]

I hated rats until my daughter got one, and have to admit they do make the best small furry pet, and they are the cleanest! Hamsters are lovely but do bit small fingers, where as rats love being fussed.

[what..the?]

I have a rat, hamster, guinea pigs and a rabbit.

I 'd say firstly a cold water fish is the most basic pet u can get feed it once a day and clean it out a couple of times a year depending on how much daylight the tank gets, more light = more algae (green muck) = more cleaning.

It will develop basic 'looking after a pet' skills but your son will probaby want a touchy feely pet to cuddle and stoke.

So if you are happy to clean large size cage one a week twice a week in summer then get a guinea pig, I have 7 all indoor all adorable.

They would be the perfect companion as they very rarely bite, some are more lazy and some are more active than others but that is hard to judge when you are going to buy them so young their personally only develops once they have settled at their new home. Get a short hair not a long hair as it does not require as much grooming.

I would recommend keeping it indoors if possible as they are safer, get less medical problems such as over heating and flys, will be more hyginic for your son to handle, and most importantly gets a better bonding experience with your son - it is enevitable that a pet living outdoor gets less attention. Guinea pigs make lots of noises which are such a pleasure, such as when they hear food, carrot being chopped etc. Your son will love it.

Try and get a cage which is easy to clean I recommend ones with plastic base with transparent top which clicks on top - this has wire mesh section in top to open and put food in/get pet out. I find the fully wire top cage allows food and hay to fall out all over the floor and is hard to clean, where as the fully plastic cages are easily wipeble..

[what..the?]

<<< Continued

Pet shops say to buy two at a time so that they have company I think it is a good idea. They have to come from same litter and be same sex. But even then they can sometimes fight and have to be separated = two cages to clean. I think if the pig is going to be left alone alot then a piggy friend would keep the pig happier and therefore more social. I have all male pigs and would recommend males. The more pale the fur the easier it is to trim their nails as the nail is more transparent and so it is easier to see the vain within whichl you are not to cut into - causes bleeding. Some guinea pigs nails grow fast and others hardly ever but trust me get a white/blonde/ginger colour.

One last thing - rats are good pets they are clever and entertaining but but but do sometimes nip to get food offered by hand they will be so excited they will grab it with their mouth - (huge teeth) without realising they will bite you. They are completely innocent, but when a 4 yr old involved it just is not worth the worry. Also they do tend to get health problems and have to be put down due to poor quality of life, guinea pigs seem more healthly on whole. But do buy guinea pig from large pet store not out of paper or in a small privately own pet shop as they often breed unhealthy pets which results in unhealthy offspring that dies 6 months later when your attached to it.

Hope this helps.

P.s you can buy a little book on guinea pigs at your local pet shop and that will tell you everything you need to know about caring for them, it will help you decide if it is the right pet for you.

[maviscoull]

my kids had a hamster when they were younger....they never seen much of it as it got up to play when they were in bed.

[Mr.Nose]

i personaly think a cat is the best they r very afectionat, big enof to cuddle, and they dont require much cleaning (apart from 1st six months) and thy liv 4 about 15 yrs (wel probly more i dont realy kno) so tht wil be about wen he leevs home. u jst hav 2 teech ur child 2 be careful with it as thy do bite if u anoy them but it hardly ever peirces th skin.