Plz help My cousin is getting a hamster and he is turning 7!!??

Question

Ok my cousinis getting a hamster and he is turning 7 . When he holds my hamster he is kinda rough with him but he sees my hamster about 1 every 2 weeks so its not that bad. But now he is gettin a hamster!! I feel bad for the hamster! They had 2 hamsters be4 but they excaped and died. Idk what to do he is getting one today!

Do you think he is too young to have a hamster? They also have 2 bulldogs and a cat. Im scared somthing will happen o the hamster

Answer 1

Try to teach him how to take care of him without being mean or controlling.  Make it fun!  

Start off by telling him an interesting fact about hamster like, "Did you know that hamsters can run up to 8 miles on their wheel at night?" and then maybe add something like, "That's because they have a lot of energy.  So it's VERY important that you have a hamster wheel in the cage for it to run on."  

"Did you know that hamster's teeth NEVER stop growing?!?!?" then maybe add... "So that's why it's SO important to keep wood chews in the cage.  As the hamster chews on the wood, their teeth are being filed and they stay at the perfect length."

"Hey ____, guess what?  I know a way to make your hamster LOVE you.  Like seriously, it'll make you her best friend.  Wanna hear it?" If the answer is yes, show him how to hold the hamster and pet it.  That way you'll be showing him how to handle it gently, but he won't think of it that way.  Get it?

Best of luck!!! ♥

Answer 2

He is too young try talking to his mum about it and maybe yurgest that he should get a fish instead!

Answer 3

I think he sounds too young. But what can you do, just try and teach him how to gentely handle a hamster.

and make sure it always has fresh water, food, and a clean cage.

I'm sure his parents will be the ones cleaning it.

Answer 4

yeah I think he is to young for a hamster. They recommend that you be 10 years old & up.

Answer 5

wow, idk wut his parents r thinking, but i guess theres no changing there minds now. i would get him a syrian hamster, since they are bigger and slower and can tolerate rough handeling better than dwarf hamsters. tell him to put the cage up high on a dresser or table where the dogs cant reach it. also tell him to keep his door closed so the cat doesnt get in and climb up, because no matter where u put the cage the cat will be able to get to it if the door to the room is wide open. also, tell him to double check that the cage is closed b4 he leaves his room, and make sure he knows how to handle it, and ask his parents to help him with it.

good luck!!!

Answer 6

oh my god! why?... why? why would they get a hamster for a 7 year old... especially when the kid already has pets... and pets that would love to eat a hamster too! yeah that poor little hamster. he is in for a lonely scary little life... tell them not to do that! NONONO

Answer 7

something probably will happen to the hamster with 2 bulldogs and a cat.  the cat may eat the hamster.  it is too dangerous.

Answer 8

Woah! Calm down. I had a Hamster when I was 7 and he was fine. You can't just not let a kid have a pet, how will he learn how to handle a Hamster if you don't give him a chance?

Let him get this Hamster and teach him how to handle it, how to feed it and how to care for it. The only thing I would suggest is until he knows how to treat a Hamster, make sure that he is being supervised everytime he would like to handle it.

Answer 9

If they keep the hamster away from the animals then he MIGHT be fine........and he is WAY to young to be getting a hamster!! i got my firt hamster when i was  9 yrs. old and almost ten at the time.  i say when u go over to there house, take the hamster and make it look like he got out himself, then give it to a friend, or just set it free, he will die other ways, and if u can't think of anything to do with it, then keep him in ur room, inj your closet. u would have to sneek the pet food though.......i hope it works out!!!!!!

Answer 10

No he should not.  I forsee some bad things in store.  However your aunt obviously thinks that it is all right and I doubt that  anyone will change her mind.

Answer 11

Yes, he is too young, in my opinion. He may be an exception, but from what you say he doesn't appear to be able to understand how to care for the hamster.



I've always thought that it was crazy how hamsters are played up to be great pets for children. That's so far from the truth. Young ones tend to treat them like teddy bears and squeeze them, then get bitten and don't want them anymore. It's not a good idea.

But there isn't really much you can do about this, unless you feel like you can tell your aunt you don't think he should get one. Hopefully his parents intend to be the primary caretakers. If not, just teach him the proper way to handle his pet. Tell him the hamster will like him better if he holds him properly and doesn't chase him around the cage, etc.

Answer 12

You never know. If he is rough with your hamster he probably will be rough with his. If he gets one I would make sure his parents are with him when he takes it out to pet. Do you know if he is gentle with the cat and dog that could help!

Answer 13

In my opinion, it's not just age that determines whether or not a child should have their own pet. It really depends on how responsible the individual child is and if they can properly care for a pet.

I would recommend you bring your concerns up with his parents. Tell them that you only care about the welfare of the hamster, since they're so fragile. Just let them know that when your cousin handles your hamster, he's a bit rough with him, and you'd hate for the same thing to happen to his own hamster.

They, as parents, should be the main caretaker. They shouldn't allow him to handle the hamster without their supervision. No matter how careful young children are, they can still be too rough with small animals. This is why small animals, generally, shouldn't be pets for young, high energy children that have a tendency to be rough.

I think you're pretty great for caring about the hamster. Just let his parents know your concerns. I think they'll appreciate it and be able to care for this hamster as best as they can.

Answer 14

My little sister is 3 and she is gentle with my hamster.

Answer 15

ugh he is way too young! seriously i think he wont even clean its cage right!. when he gets the hamster make sure u see it almost every few weeks or something and make sure it looks healthy.. but seriously if it looks hurt in any kind of way u should confront his parents about it.. i know he is only 7 and may take that rough but seriously! u guys should atleast teach him to be nice.. make sure they dont stare at the thing all day.. which causes it stress and its dies.. and seriously no one wants a hamster running lose in the house with two bulldogs and a cat!!!!!!!!!!!so seriously confront the parents about it before the hamster dies.. seriously ive had my hamster for a few months and he is ok.. but seriously! u should confront the parents about how rough he is with it.. why not get him a fish or something.. 7 year olds take better care of fish than rodents..