Because they are adorable, affectionate, and endearing, hamsters make wonderful pets. You will love having a hamster in your home; they’re terrific for both adults and older kids. The following are some things to think about before bringing one of these tiny animals into your house:
Can you stay with the hamster for the duration of its natural life?
Hamsters are wonderful pets, and can be excellent companions. However, they do require a certain amount of love and care throughout their lives – if you adopt or purchase a pet it’s unkind to change your mind about it weeks or months later. Pets should be members of the family.
The level of attention hamsters need is certainly less than some pets – they don’t need to be walked like dogs, and they don’t need to be carefully watched in the garden like guinea pigs and tortoises. But they do need some daily care – they need to be fed, and be given attention, especially if you have a hamster variety that needs to be kept on its own.
Your pet hamster will likely want to play with you every day because they form strong bonds with their owners and require a lot of stimulation.
Who is the pet for?
Is the hamster intended for an adult or a more mature child?
If the pet is intended for an older child (over the age of ten), then there are two things that you’ll need to consider
First of all, since hamsters are a nocturnal animal, it will be challenging for children to play with them appropriately.
There are some animals who are slightly more active during the day, such as gerbils, who might be a better choice.
Secondly, if the hamster is intended for a youngster, an adult who is willing to take care of it must be there.
Expecting any child, no matter how mature, to be able to take care of an animal on its own puts both the animal and the child’s happiness at risk. If you’re sure there’s an adult who is happy to do the daily feeding, the regular health checks, and the cage cleaning, then a hamster will be a great addition to the family.
Who is the pet for?
Is the hamster intended for an adult or a more mature child?
If the pet is intended for an older child (over the age of ten), then there are two things that you’ll need to consider.
First of all, since hamsters are a nocturnal animal, it will be challenging for children to play with them appropriately.
There are some animals who are slightly more active during the day, such as gerbils, who might be a better choice.
Second, an adult who doesn’t mind taking care of the hamster is required if it is for a child.
Expecting any child, no matter how mature, to be able to take care of an animal on its own puts both the animal and the child’s happiness at risk. If you’re sure there’s an adult who is happy to do the daily feeding, the regular health checks, and the cage cleaning, then a hamster will be a great addition to the family.
Are you allergic to hamsters?
Make sure you and anyone else who will be in regular contact with the animal don’t react negatively to the allergens these pets produce before deciding to adopt one of them. Sneezing, a runny nose, watery eyes, and coughing are signs of an allergy.
What level of companionship are you looking for?
Before you get a hamster, you might want to have a think about what you want from a pet, and consider whether or not your personality and habits are compatible with this particular animal.
Do you have room for a hamster?
Despite their small size, hamsters require a specific amount of space. Given the size of hamster cages, you should prepare a space and set up the cage before acquiring your new companion.
How much companionship do you want?
Which kind of pet would you prefer—one to play with once a day or one to have with you all the time?
Do you want to be able to go outdoors a lot with your pet? Are you up late at night? Hamsters are intelligent little pets but they won’t be awake for the majority of the day. They are nocturnal by nature, and at most are a little active in the evening. If you want a pet for the daytime hours, then a hamster may not be for you. Perhaps a gerbil or a larger mammal such as a cat or a dog would be a better option
Have you ever had a pet before?
Wonderful little creatures, hamsters need regular attention. The duties involved with pet ownership can be greater than you might have imagined if you’ve never owned a pet before. Taking a friend’s pet for a week or two is a great idea, as is offering to watch someone else’s pet while they go on vacation
During this time, you’ll be able to assess whether or not you’re happy feeding and playing with the animal every day, and can commit to all these things once the novelty has worn off.
