I think my 4 year old killed my son's hamster, should i get him another. Or what else could I get him?

Question

My 4 yr old confessed the morning after that she bit the hamster on the back. and she was the one who found him? Is it safe to have hamsters around children that young

Answer 1

Maybe it bit her so she bit back?? I wouldnt worry about it. Get another one and put it where she cant reach it, or buy a cage that she cant open. Dont listen to some of the people on here. I was reading a ? about bed rails for a little girl and one of the jerks that answered said to put boards with nails in them on the floor so she learns fast. What kind of person would say that?? I wouldnt worry about the hamster, just keep the next one out of her reach. Good Luck

Answer 2

Most 4 year olds do not understand that their action might cause death.
She just got upset and bit it.
I would talk to her but try not to make her feel guilty about what she did. That would too much for a 4 year old to handle.

But remind her she did a great thing by being honest in telling you what happened.


As far as getting another hamster I think it would be fine, maybe put a lock on the cage so she couldn't get into it without you supervising her.

Answer 3

Before you get another pet, make sure you're 4 year old knows that it was wrong to kill the hamster (or any other pet) she may have aggression problems that need to be addressed. Also, check with a doctor to make sure she didn't contract anything for biting into a live rodent.
After that yes I would buy another pet for your son, I'm partial to dogs cause they are so caring an loving.
Good luck.

Answer 4

Hamsters have a generally short life span. Hamsters also require gentle care and little gentle hands. Four year old have not gotten it too well when it comes time for small creatures. Consider a more hardy pet or one they can't get too easily. Fish. Lizards would run from them or crap on them if something is done that they don't like. Or if you want to stick to fuzzy, ferrerts are also nice but they won't tolerate being bit.

Answer 5

No no no no no. You should never give animals to 4 year olds. I hardly think 10 year olds can take care of anomals because they can hardly take care of a plant.
First say that she has to take care of a pretty flower pant and if she can take care of it for a year or maybe 2. that she can have a animal. You can start out on a female fiddler crab, male have a huge claw that snaps. Female can't hurt anyone. And she can hold it in her hand. If she she even gets past the plant and gets to the crab and it dies of starvation(if some sits on it or something, its an accident)then start out with the plants again if she wants another pet.

Answer 6

No. It's not safe. Hamsters bite.

Why did your 4yr old bite? Think about whether it is normal or destructive behaviour.

Buy a new hamster. Keep it away from your 4 year old.

Answer 7

How old is the son first of all. Stick with fish. it's a good lesson for taking care of living beings. Make sure you monitor them when they're taking care of them every now and then. That'll keep 'em disciplined. Siamese fighters are the hardiest. Oh yeah - wouldn't be fair to punish your son by denying him another hamster because of what his little sister did. just keep the little girl away from it.

Answer 8

You need to let your 4 yr old mature and help her understand how things like biting hurt animals just like they do people before you get another animal. It definitely sounds like your 4 yr old does not have the capacity to be around pets yet. She needs some serious explanation of the fact that animals feel pain and you cannot hurt animals, just like you cannot hurt people.

Answer 9

is it safe to have any animals around your four year old? you need to talk to them. find out why they bit the hamster on the back.
that is not a common occurrence. from there, you can access if you should bring more animals into the house.

Answer 10

May want to deal with the hamster biter first, before replacing a pet.