Hamster as a pet?

Question

i have a couple of questions


1.What should i get a hamster or gerbil, if so what type
2.Should i get 1 or 2?
3.What type of cage?
4. What play toys
5. Down side of this pet

Thanks

Answer 1

You should go with a hamster. Get a honey bear hamster, they are very sweet. I hate to break it to you...but you should not get two hamsters and keep them in the same cage. 2 male hamsters in the same cage means fighting...same with 2 females in 1 cage. Also if you get a male and a female...well...you know what that means!!! If you get two hamsters and put a divider in the cage...they can be very determined!!! I would reccomend getting 1 hamster, they can become very costly. Also I would suggest a female. Trust me...you can tell the difference when they get older. As for the cage, if you get a glass aquarium type cage with a net top, you can be allowing your hamster to be at risk for heat stroke. Wire cages are the best...but some hamsters spray...so you might want to but a box inside...just about 2 inches high. I hate to put down Crittertrail products...but they are crap. Trust me, they are pretty but they snap and break very easily. I learned this after 4 cages. I have a 3 story wire cage, you can purchase these from places like PetsMart. (www.petsmart.com) As for play toys, get a wheel, a hut, something to chew on, and one of those roll-about balls. Hamsters don't really play with toys. The down side of this pet is that if they spray (they rarely do) they become smelly...but you can buy stuff to prevent this.

Also, buy from a healthy, trusted store...like PetsMart. Their's are hand-raised (I think) which is very important. Hamsters do bite, so make sure you wear gloves when you first handle it and are getting used to it. Also, it's best to buy from PetsMart.

Tips:

1) Look for signs of Wet Tail, a wet tail. This is a very deadly but common disease. Luckly, some hamsters do not get it.

2) Get a big hamster. Don't get one that is less than 2 inches (I did from a store...not PetsMart...and it died.)

3) Don't put Wet Tail medication in your hamsters water. If they don't like the taste they won't drink it and will die from dehydration.

4) Don't handle your new pet at all before 24 hours is up. Don't let it be near any loud noises during this period. It is getting used to it's surrondings and any stress can cause Wet Tail (Wet Tail is caused by stress.).

5) If your pet is acting or seems ill...take it to the vet!!! Mine had the appearence of Wet Tail, yet it had parasites and has never had anything else!!! A healthy pet can provide a rewarding experience.


~ Good luck!

(I have a hamster and it is a very healthy one!)

Answer 2

1. Gerbils tend to be less agressive (don't bite as much) but hamsters are just cuter. So I would say go with a Syrian Hamster (possibly a teddybear)
2. Just get one.
3.The cage depends on what you like. A simple wire one that has a plastic bottom should suffice.
4. Toys should include: an exercise wheel, an exercise ball to roll around in, somethings to chew on, and treats.
5. They bite in the beggining, and some will throw their bedding all over the place. Also males tend to more cooperative than females.

Answer 3

Both are popular pets. Here is one comparison:
http://www.abcgerbils.com/versus.html

I prefer gerbils because they are social (live in pairs) and really cute to watch play, groom, and sleep together. Their schedule matches ours -- they are active both day and night and always ready to come out and play. Plus gerbils are from the desert so they don't drink or pee much and you only have to clean the cage every two weeks. Gerbils gnaw everything in sight so need lots of cardboard and paper towel tubes and will make cool tunnel structures. Gerbils do not stress out as easily as hamsters.

Gerbils move quicker though so hamsters are easier to hold and may be a better pet if you want a pet to pet.

Get gerbils a wire mesh wheel, a wooden nest box, and plenty of cardboard. They also like to play in a sand box, with hay (like alfalfa or timothy), and take chinchilla dust baths. The love a climbing branch in the tank. A hamster also needs a wheel and hiding spot; they actually are good climbers and like those 10 gallon tank tank toppers.

The big, regular (Syrian) hamsters must be kept alone.
Gerbils need to be bought and kept in pairs.
Dwarf hamsters are kind of in between the two; buy two girl or boy litter mates and get them from a breeder!! Well bred dwarf hamsters are really, sweet and fun. Poorly breed ones from some pet store are awful biters.

Any of the three could live in a 10 gallon tank with a sturdy wire mesh lid with clips. It makes a good and escape-proof home and it is easy to view them in it.

Whatever pet you pick make sure they are tame and friendly from the start. You can get any small animal from a breeder and often these animal have been handled a lot and are bred for temperament.

Answer 4

You should get a Teddy Bear hamster. They are cuddly, and very cute.

Get one. They may turn aggressive with another roommate.

Get a normal hamster cage. You can get one at the pet store for about $25-35. Not that bad.

The best toy for a hammie is a toilet paper roll. They can crawl into them and they can eat them. It won't harm them. Maybe an old sock too. It keeps them warm and they can move it places.

You need to clean the cage once a week, or else they smell. They can stink up a whole room if not regularly cleaned.

You need to handle your pet often so they can get to know you. The best thing to do with a new hamster is to rub your hands in the wood shavings so they can get your scent. Also let them run around on your bed, your scent is there, and don't forget to let them sniff you.

Good Luck with your pet!!

Cheers! xo

Answer 5

Get a hamster they are very cuddly and fun and they do not chew up the cage like gerbils do! Any type of hamster is good but probally the syrain is the best! Start out with 1 and if you like it you can get more.Crittertrail is probally the best cage.they are colorful and are full of tunnel adventures!

Answer 6

Hamster...their nicer. I would get one...they tend to get mean and fight eachother when theres two. I would get those plastic tubing cages because they give the animal something to do. The running wheel,any chewys you can find,the ball that you put them in and they can run around the floor in.Downsides is they are extremely clean animals and require much attention and love.

Answer 7

You should get two hamsters and a cage that has little tubes so that they can play. As for toys you should get them one of those balls they can go in and roll around. The downside is that they are a bit smelly.

Answer 8

Well if you get a hamster you have to watch out for them because they love to fight. You shouldn't get them a big cage but not to small either. You can get them a tunnel playground or get the ball that you can put them in they love that too.