Re: Hamsters as pets?

[Guest guest]

Hi ,

We have had two hamsters. One was quite nice and friendly and didn't object to

being handled by my children, who were elementary school age at the time. He

died and we got another one. This one turned out to be the hamster from hell.

He would hiss and try to bite anyone who stuck their hands in his cage. We kept

him a while, thinking he would calm down but he never did and I eventually took

him back to the pet store. If you can get away with it, I would recommend no

indoor rodent type pets, but if insisted upon I have heard guinea pigs make nice

pets, also mice, rats and gerbils. Anything but hamsters! We had mice at one

point and they were quite gentle but I couldn't stand the smell.

love,

[Guest guest]

We have had a hamster for almost 1 year(Bubbles) and have had no health issues

regarding her. She is a gentle hamster who enjoys being picked up, and we

really haven't noticed any smell. Our only problem with her is she is the

Hamster Houdini!! We used to have a really hard time because she could get out

of her cage in a flash! Then my husband added what we like to call her

townhose. A three drawer plastic bookcase like thing, with holes for her to go

up and down, things for her to hide in--just more entertaining. She hasn't

gotten out since. I think she is just adventurous. Jack adores her and she is

minimal work. Now he is pushing for a dog--Good Luck!

Kim-Mom to Jack 5y.o. w/CF

Hamsters as pets?

Does anyone out there have a hamster as a pet? My older daughter

(w/o cf) wants one. We gave away our german shepherd to reduce the

dander and dust in the house, and the hamster seems like a nice

replacement. Her younger sister w/cf is almost 2 - has a separate

room, and won't be handling it - but to be safe I was wondering if

anyone out there has advice.

No one in our house has asthma, but I'm concerned about transmission

of disease (zoonosis).

I called the clinic also, and I'm waiting for their response.

R

Mom to 3 (1 w/cf)

[Guest guest]

We have one Syrian hamster (the " regular " kind everyone knows--she's a teddy

bear--longer hair). Her name is Butter, and she's a real honey--very gentle

and loving, not to mention fat and cute! I never liked rodents (had a major

fear of them actually!), but she is just wonderful! We also have two

's dwarf hamsters--Phil and Lil--and they are cute, too, but they

are so quick that I am scared to handle them cuz I'm afraid I'll drop them!

They have had several batches of babies, and that has been really fun to

watch them grow and explore--we sell them to the local pet store, and they

really like ours, because they come in well-handled and tame.

If you get a hamster, I suggest a Syrian, as their temperaments are the

best. I also suggest getting them when they are VERY young, as the older

they get, the harder they are to tame. My daughter handled Butter several

times daily, especially in the evenings, and she is great.

Any questions, feel free to ask! Try looking at this site, also. It has

LOTS of info!

http://www.petwebsite.com/about_hamsters.htm

Hamsters as pets?

> Does anyone out there have a hamster as a pet? My older daughter

> (w/o cf) wants one. We gave away our german shepherd to reduce the

> dander and dust in the house, and the hamster seems like a nice

> replacement. Her younger sister w/cf is almost 2 - has a separate

> room, and won't be handling it - but to be safe I was wondering if

> anyone out there has advice.

>

> No one in our house has asthma, but I'm concerned about transmission

> of disease (zoonosis).

>

> I called the clinic also, and I'm waiting for their response.

>

> R

>

> Mom to 3 (1 w/cf)

>

>

>

> -------------------------------------------

> The opinions and information exchanged on this list should IN NO WAY

> be construed as medical advice.

>

> PLEASE CONSULT YOUR PHYSICIAN BEFORE CHANGING ANY MEDICATIONS OR

TREATMENTS.

>

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>

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