Hamster Pros and Cons?

Question

Does anyone think a hamster is a good pet?? I will feed it a healthy diet and change it's water every day. Did anyone have anything wrong with one? Tell me the pros and cons about it. Thanks for da best answer.

Answer 1

Every Hamster I have ever owned would bite and was unfriendly. You might want to get a gerbil instead they make much better pets and don't bite.

Answer 2

My son had a hamster and it bit him more than once. As a child, my hamster bit me as well. And I don't mean puppyish cute bites, I mean they draw blood. If you want something you can really hold and play with, a hamster MAY not be the right pet. Maybe a mouse or a guinea pig would be a better choice. But if you plan on a habitrail and a wheel and room to play, then they are great. Just get the safest bedding stuff and plan to clean it's cage often. They will pull the bedding all over the habitrail so if you need to realy clean it, fill the tub with hot water and let all the parts soak in there, dry really, REALLY well and then put it back together. Hamsters do smell, unless you clean their cage every few days, and they can bite (ask the SPCA for a list in order or most biting critters like that size and they will tell you, unlike a store or a lucky owner that is never bitten by their particular pet) if you want to hold it a lot.

Answer 3

I say you may want to bypass with the syrian because they're more effective, more effective common to manage and are not as quick. once you've your heart set on a dwarf, then bypass with the dwarf yet when that's your first hamster, i'd strongly recommend you to get a syrian. My syrian hamster might want to each now and then merely sit down my hand for as a lot as like 1min and a 1/2 and merely have me puppy her. yet when your getting a hamster then you definately might want to be waiting for the responsibility. Even idea hamster are small, they're nevertheless an rather good type of work. there is are sickness that;s immediately ahead for hamsters calld moist Tail it really is often deadly for hamsters <3R.I.P Macy <3

Answer 4

Hamsters are a joy. They are cute, cuddly, and not much bother. My hamster doesn't make any noise, enjoys being held, and doesn't guzzle down food. Most hamsters are like this.

But, they can bite if you try to hold them before they are used to you. Try petting them and get them to know you. It can be very traumatizing if you try to pick them up.

They also can be quite messy. The cage will annoy you, but try to clean it every week. DO NOT use bleach in a hamster cage. In fact, don't use any cleaner. Scrub the cage with water and an old rag. Then dry the cage and put in fresh bedding.

I hope you get a hamster and I hope you enjoy it!

Answer 5

Pros:
-originally from desert, so doesn't pee much (less smell)
-Inexpensive pet
-If you are patient and kind to it, it's a fun pet
-Solitary, so you only need to get one and it's not animal abuse to do so

Cons:
-Nocturnal, so not active until after dark
-Only lives a few years
-Master escape artists
-Not very interested in people

If you get a hamster, don't get one of those crappy colorful plastic cages for it. They are not well ventilated, too small, and hamsters can gnaw through them. The tubes are also a pain in the butt to clean. Instead, get it a wire cage with horizontal bars so it can climb. Also, get the deepest pan (the part you put bedding in) that you can, so the hamster can't kick bedding out.

Answer 6

Pros:
1. Fun to play with
2. Good entertainment
3. Sweet little creatures
4. Builds Resonsibility

Cons:
1. Sucks to clean the cage
2. Stinks easy
3. Poop everywhere

Hope this helps!!!!!

Answer 7

yeah, I think they're good pets. If you're mature enough. They need taken close care of. Change the water, feed them, change the bedding, let them excercise. Look up things on Google, or yahoo or any other search engine.

Answer 8

Pros: Hamster is cute.
Cons: They don't sleep at night! Unless you put them away from your bedroom, you won't get much sleep...zzz You have to listen to the noise of wheels go round and round and round...all night. Seriously!

Answer 9

A hamster is a GREAT pet,but there nocturnal,so if its kept in your room,make sure you can stand the noise.My hamster just died like a hour ago or something.I miss him very much.They make great pets.And there easie to spoil!

For ages: 8 & up, with adult supervision
Pet lifespan: up to 3 years
Pet size: approximately 5"-7" (13-18 cm) long

Traits & behavior
Things to remember
Nutrition
Health
Habitat
PETsMART cares
Supply list

Traits & behavior

Nocturnal
They like to run and play at night and sleep during the day, so be prepared for them to be active and noisy after dark.

Solitary
Hamsters can learn to enjoy human interaction, but they're not crazy about other hamsters, so only one hamster per habitat.

Hoarders
Hamsters have large cheek pouches to carry food, which they'll store in a special hiding place.

Clean
You'll notice your hamster grooming herself a lot while she's awake.

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Things to remember

Easily startled
Be careful, if she gets scared, she may bite. Take extra care when awakening her.

Lifting & handling
Handle your hamster gently -- scoop her up in both hands and hold her with cupped hands so she'll feel safe and secure.

Special needs
Your hamster's front teeth never stop growing -- so she needs lots of healthy things to chew on like treats and chew sticks.

Exercise
Hamsters have tons of energy and need to run on a wheel in their habitat, or in an exercise ball every day.

Safety & cleanliness
Please remember that all pets may bite or scratch, and may transmit disease to humans. Keep your pet's home clean and wash your hands before and after handling your pet or cleaning his home. Infants, young children, pregnant women, people with compromised immune systems, and the infirm or elderly are at greater risk of infections and should use caution when in contact with the pet or its habitat. Consult your doctor for more information.

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Nutrition

Staple diet
Choose a fortified diet appropriate for hamsters. Fill the bowl approximately 3/4 full.

Vegetables*
One teaspoon of chopped carrots and dark green veggies like mustard greens, collard greens or kale may be given daily. Take care not to overfeed these fresh foods. They have a high moisture content and too much can cause an upset stomach.

Fruits*
Treat your hamster to one teaspoon of finely chopped apple or banana twice a week.

Oatmeal
A pinch of plain, uncooked oatmeal added to your pet's food dish every day helps provide the fiber needed in her diet.

Treat sticks & chews
These hard and crunchy treats are yummy and keep your pet's teeth trimmed. Always keep one in the habitat.

Water
Change and fill your hamster's water bottle with clean water every day.

*Remember that fresh food items require their own dish and should be removed from the habitat after four hours to prevent spoilage. Treats should be less than 10% of total food intake.

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Health

Signs of a healthy hamster:

Clean, bright eyes
Soft fur
Full, slightly-rounded body
Curious, active behavior
Eats and drinks normally
Well-formed droppings with no diarrhea
Things to watch for:

Blood in the urine
Overgrown front teeth
Bare patches in the fur
Diarrhea or wetness around the tail area (called "wet tail")
Lethargic behavior
Weight loss; not eating or drinking normally
Sneezing; discharge from the eyes, nose or mouth
If you notice any of the signs described above, please consult a Small Animal Veterinarian as soon as possible.

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Habitat

Housing
Your hamster needs a well-ventilated home, large enough for a food dish and water bottle, a hiding area (if one isn't built in) and an exercise wheel. There should be plenty of room for all cage accessories, and for her to move around freely.

Bedding
Hamsters love to hide and burrow, so lots of clean aspen or other appropriate bedding is a must. Line the home with 1"-2" (3-5 cm) of bedding, and change it weekly or more often if needed.

Cage placement
Place the habitat in a cool, low humidity area, out of direct sunlight.

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PETsMART cares

All small pets purchased at PETsMART receive the VET ASSURED(SM) promise of health and wellness plus a 14-day satisfaction guarantee. VET ASSURED is our exclusive, veterinariandesigned care program that helps to ensure your new pet is healthy. However, if your small pet becomes ill or dies during this initial 14-day period, or if you're not satisfied with your pet for any reason, PETsMART will replace it or refund the purchase price. Keep your sales receipt and return the pet to the store where it was purchased if needed. These programs are examples of the many ways we ensure that you enjoy your experience with your new small pet.

Is a hamster right for you?



Yes No
I have an appropriate location for the habitat.
I will provide daily interaction.
I will house multiple hamsters separately.
I understand that hamsters sleep during the day and are active at night.
I will seek proper veterinary care if needed.
A responsible adult will be the primary caregiver.

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Supply list

Here's a list of the necessities you'll need to take home today to help your new hamster stay healthy and happy. Please ask a PETsMART associate to help you choose these items.



Home
Appropriate size and type of cage
Aspen or other appropriate bedding
Water bottle
Food bowls
Hiding house
Exercise wheel
Food
Fortified hamster diet
Appropriate fresh fruits and veggies
Treat sticks and chews
Mineral wheel
Toys
Exercise ball or similar toy
Extras
Books and magazines
Vitamin drops
Nesting material
Hamster potty and litter
Cage cleaner and disinfectant (read and follow label instructions)

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Answer 10

i have a great hamster, he wakes and comes out to his cage and sits on my hand when i call him. ive lost him in the house because a piece of his cage broke and i just had to call his name and he cane out from under my bed.
not all hamsters are like this though, its actually very rare. if you do get a hamster, its better to only get one because they might fight and kill eachother or have babies (which might cause them to eat their babies, yuck)
essentially, ive had great experiance with hamsters, good luck.