I'm looking for some advice about Hamsters.....?

Question

OKay, to elaborate: I am thinking about buying a hamster. I have never had a hamster before so I don't know what to expect. Any information would be apriciated, since I know nothing about them. And ultimetly, should I go ahead and get a hamster or just be safe and get a rat?(I know how to deal with rats...)

Answer 1

Definitely get a hamster, they are cute and fun to play with, they are nocturnal, as you may or may not know, but when they ARE awake, they are extremely playful and active, they can get big or stay small, some dwarf hamsters' biggest size is smaller than a bottle cap, while others' biggest size is a baseball when they are curled up! Hamsters do not need much attention, but do need good diets and homes, for example: Even if the cage looks cool, it does not mean your hamster will enjoy it, like this cage: http://www.doggyfriend.com/media/ovo%20s...

I used to have it until I discovered it was not ventillated well enoughfor my hamster, and that he was not very healthy because he was so lazy in it. So I traded that cage in for this one: http://www.petsmart.com/product/zoom/ind...

And now my hamster is very happy and healthy, and his cage is easy to clean! The other cage took hours to clean, speaking of cleaning cages, you have to clean a hamster's cage once a week, I don't know if it's the same with rats though.....Anyways, for food I suggest Vita-Vittles or Dental Bites, they keep your hamster healthy, and it's teeth strong, and also prevents tooth overgrowth! Hamsters need excersize, so a hamster should always have a wheel and a ball, the ball should always be jumbo if the hamster is one of the bigger types! Along with hamster food, you should mix in some chopped veggies and treats. Here's a list of OK veggies/fruits for hamster's:

?Tomatoes?

>Carrots<

>Celery<

>Apples<

>Strawberries<

?Lettuce?

You may want to look up tomatoes and lettuce, I've never fed my hamster them, but have heard other people saying they have fed their hamsters them. For treats I will reccomend Veggie Puffs, hamsters love them, but don't give them too much a day, you should only give them 2 treats a day, 3 tops. You should also put your hamster in his/her ball daily, try 15 minutes at least. One last reccomendation, bedding, for bedding I reccomend Premium Pine Bedding. It gives your hamster a nice, soft bedding for your hamster to sleep in, and it also gives the cage a fresh, pine scent that blocks out the odor. For more info. go to a local pet store and buy a book on hamsters! This may seem like a lot of work, but it's not, really, it's not. Good Luck, and I hope I helped!

-Pumpkin   ^o^

Answer 2

if u would like a hamster then thats ok even if you dont know much about them. just make sure the cage is clean as u would wiv a Rat too. Also u got to remember hamsters are only normally awake evening or night time, you may find them awake some times in the morning. they can bite like any pet really if u wake it up it may bite as it would possibly make it stresseed. When u get it make sure you have the cage all set up ready so as soon as you get home u can put it straight in the cage to settle. DO NOT pick it up the 1st day as it needs to get used to its new home. but u can talk to it to allow him/her to get used to ur voise then day 2 put ur hand in the cage and see if it will climb on ur hand some hamsters can jump so be careful. u can try to give it a treat it may not take it  as its still trying to get used to u and its new home. the kindest hamsters i have found are chinese dwalf hamsters they are shy animals but tiny and are really friendly personall oppinon lol. good luck to u if u get 1 also the vet recomends 30 mins a day for a hamster to go in an exercise ball just have it out about 30 mins a time hope this helps.

Answer 3

http://www.hamstercare.com/ Its a great site and has everythign to know! Check it out!!

Answer 4

Oh no, don't get a rat.

Hamster's are very loving and once you get use to them and they know you, you can pick them up. They will bite you once or twice but trust me, it doesn't hurt.

Make sure you keep holding them though, as they will need to become tame as it's your first time.

Secondly, do not EVER consider of getting 2 hamsters unless you know how to Handel them. If you do end up getting a hamster id advise you to get a Chinese hamster, they are so friendly. Don't end up getting dwarf hamster's as they are VERY fast and you wouldn't be able to Handel that either.

Thirdly, cages .. make sure you clean there cages every at least 3 days. As they smell terribly. also gets some disinfectant, this will help you clean the cage, and you can also clean your hamster with it.

Fourthly toys, Make sure your hamster has LOTS of toys as they get really bored. My hamster has lots of tubes and has a big wheel. She has so much fun.

Fifthly, Food, your hamster must have a healthy diet. My hamster, i get these vitamin drops so whenever i feed her I'd give her 3 drops a day.

It makes sure she doesn't get too fat.

I Hope i helped.

And good luck with your new hamster!

Answer 5

Hamsters can be grumpy and they bite if they aren't worked with enough.

After having hamsters for years, I got gerbils.  They seemed cleaner, less smelly, more active in daytime and they don't bite.

Answer 6

If you are used to rats, you should research hamster behavior and be sure that you will not be disappointed with a hamster. Hamsters are very cute and some can be warm, but hamsters are not gregarious animals like rats. They tend to play on you and tolerate you rather than play with you. If you are expecting them to groom you and cuddle with you, or learn their names and come when you call them like a rat does, you will be disappointed.

As for the care of hamsters, you should look for a much more extensive resource. An answer here will not be sufficient.