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Hamster tips and where to buy?

  • 03-12-2019 5:44pm
    #1
    firefish
    Registered Users Posts: 70 ✭✭


    My little fella really wants a hamster for his 7th birthday. Where could I buy a well socialized one (if there’s such a thing)? In Dublin or Northern Ireland.
    And are we mad? Do they make good pets for children? Any tips?


Comments

  • #2
    Cherry Blossom
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,972 ✭✭✭Cherry Blossom


    7 is a little bit young for a hamster they dont react well to rough handling. Its also very hard to get one tame enough that it wont bite a child. Pet shop hamsters tend to come from hamster mills and are not handled enough (or at all!) up until they are bought. Normally you have to buy the hamster then tame it yourself which takes time and a lot of patience. A pair of female guinea pigs will be better suited for a seven year old. Hamsters are usually not recommended to under 10s. Guinea pigs are quite vocal and a bit more suited to inexperienced handling. They live quite a bit longer and are harder to lose in the house. They should still always be supervised when being handled by a child though.


  • #3
    elfy4eva
    Registered Users Posts: 1,204 ✭✭✭elfy4eva


    They do make good pets for children they are generally docile but will nip at you if mishandled. Just bear in mind their cages need regular cleaning, like more often than you would think.

    Water should be changed daily Turds and
    scattered food bits should probably get a daily plucking out with a rubber glove and change the bedding as it begins to collect turds (they shyte A LOT). Full clean once a week or more often if it begins to smell, remove all old shavings and bedding and use a mild disinfectant spray to clean ALL areas of the cage including exercise wheels or any accessories thoroughly as they will harbor bacteria. It will pee in one of the corners of the cage pay special attention to here too. Once cleaned and dried replace with new bedding and shavings. Make sure you provide the child with proper supplies for this upkeep and be prepared to step in if he begins to slack on keeping it tidy.


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