Why won't my parents let me get a hamster?

Question

Ok, so on monday, I had 3 hamsters, 2 are dwarfs that live together...or did live together

Well, one of the dwarf hamsters had a trajic fall on monday, and died, so, now her cagemate is very depressed and lonely, isn't acting like herself at all, I feel SO bad for her because she has never been alone, for more than 30 minutes for her entire life!

My parents won't let me get a new hamster because they are tired of all these animals I have, (ive got 3 dogs, 1 cat, 1 cockatiel, 2 fishtanks, and now, 2 hamsters)

But, the hamsters live in my room, don't smell, don't cost them ANY money, don't make noise...and basically don't affect my parents at all

I just don't understand why my parents are acting like this, my poor hammy is all alone, and so sad

Is it because they are trying to show me that they are the parents, and that I don't always get what I want (im 15 years old, by the way)

I just don't feel like they are being fair, I wouldn't ask for another hamster, if I didn't

think I needed a new hamster, because, its not to make me happy, its for my lonely hamster

And, remember, these are dwarf hamsters, and they CAN live together, and I know how to introduce 2 new hamsters, so don't tell me that they will kill each other, I know what im talking about

Thanks

sorry this is so long...

I do realize that I have a bunch of animals, but I had 3 hamsters on monday, so, whats the big deal?

just to let you know, the hamster fell about 8 inches, from my hand to my lap, but it landed sideways, and thats how it hurt itself

Believe me...I do ALL the cleaning, Im the primary caretaker of the fish, bird, and hamsters...the only time my parents take care of them is when I go to my grandmas house for the weekend, which is like 3 days, and is not often......and I have NO social life, so, no worries about that

Answer 1

Maybe your parents think you have to many pets. They may think that you need to save your money also. i am sorry for you loss. Also have you considered that if you get a new one the old one may not accept it as part of the family

Answer 2

I think all parents are like that. I used to have 29 rabbits + my Husband said no more. Now I have 8 + not getting any to replace the ones I have. Eventually I would like to foster some when all of mine are gone.

questions for you :
1) who cleans up after all the animals ? If you dont take care of all of them, then this may be the reason why they don't want anymore, because they are the ones that take care of pets + they aren't the ones who want them. You taking care of all of the pets shows a lot of responsibility. Take care of meaning : cleaning litterbox, cages, fish tanks, feeding them all, paying them attention. The more pets you have, the less attention they all miss out on. Making 1 pet happy isn't as bad as having none. you could even volunteer at an animal rescue. They are always needing help + you would feel good knowing that you are making a difference in a pets life.

2) have any of your pets been sick + needed veterinary attention ? Vets can be expensive + this is something that some parents don't discuss with their kids. I think they should. It costs me $40.oo just to walk in the door to my rabbit vet, treatment + examinations are added on to this. Its ridiculous how much it can come to. But they need to get paid too.

3) Could be that your parents are in a financial bind, too many vet bills or other bills are swallowing them up. Maybe they can't afford to have any more pets.

4) some people have a hard time dealing with their pets death, maybe your parents are having to deal with how you take your animals death. I'm a big crier lol.

I think the real reason is that they are having to do most of the work taking care of the pets, why not pitch in before you have a social life, they would really appreciate it. Maybe they'd help you. Regardless, you would gain some respect from them by being so responsible. Taking care of all those pets takes alot of time. It took me 3 hrs to thoroughly clean 12 rabbit cages !!

Just be happy that they are letting you keep the ones you have, some people have no problem with just getting rid of their pet, no feelings about it either.

Solution to Lonely Hamster : spend extra time with it, let it bond to you so it wont feel as lonesome. It works ! I did it with my 12 yr old rabbit, he loved all the attention + he didnt' look so depressed anymore. I took him in a carrier everywhere in the house. He didn't get time to be lonely. He died a yr later, old age.

Answer 3

They have probably been waiting for the animal population to begin to decline. Even though the hamsters don't affect your parents, your other animals probably do. Owning alot of pet's is hard and it's alot of responsibility. Maybe your parents have alot going on now and they don't want to stress out about yet another hamster.

But I can understand your concern, because dwarf hamsters, unlike syrian hamsters, are very social and live best with other hamsters. You can try telling your parents that they are very social and for the health of your other dwarf hamster, another dwarf is recommended. If they say no, chances are that they have good reasons and they just don't want any more hamsters.

Answer 4

Does your mother have a good reason for not wanting you to have another hamster? Why did she give the others away? If you were not keeping them clean or paying attention to them, then your mother is right. If they were well cared for, I'm sorry that happened to you. Unfortunately, until we become old enough to pay our own way and be on our own, we have to live under our parents' rules. My suggestion is to research hamsters as much as you can so that one day when your mom sees you are serious and lets you have one, or when you are on your own, you will be prepared to be the best owner possible. As for these idiots who believe that hamsters carry diseases and such-do not listen to that garbage. They are completely misinformed and ignorant and have not bothered to educate themselves before spouting off. Humans carry many more diseases than animals.

Answer 5

I feel for you. It took FOREVER for my mom to allow me to get a guinea pig. Then I had to convince her to get two!
Maybe they think that a new hamster will live a while, so that when you go away to college, they have to take care of it. Try explaining to them that hammies only have a lifespan of 1-3 years, and if it lives, you could maybe give it to someone else.
Show to them that you are a responsible young adult, and don't blow up at them. Keep in mind, you DO have a LOT of pets, so they aren't being COMPLETELY unfair. But i get your point about the fact that you did have 2 on monday.....
well, I hope all goes well. Hope i helped. GOOD LUCK!!!!!

Answer 6

I'm very sorry u are going through that. I understand how you feel. My parents didn't let me have much pets & when they would let me it had to be a big hassle before they finally gave in. Have a talk with them & explain the situation to them. Tell them why you want to get a hamster. If you have the money tell them that you are willing to get the hamster yourself. They don't cost that much. Sometimes parents just want to show their authority. I wish you the best of luck & hopefully you will get a new hamster.

Answer 7

I happen to agree that your parents are being unreasonable. It's not like you are asking for an elephant, you are asking for a cage-mate for your hamster. Perhaps they are concerned they will multiply? I don't know. But if you pay for it, you take care of it, they won't multiply, they won't kill each other, and they're in your room then I think you have a very substantiated argument.

Answer 8

I know your hammie is lonly.:(

Sonlution: Tell her how she will feel if you were the only person in the world. Lonley huh? So telll her that the hammie is feeling like that too. no buddies to play with....

Answer 9

Maybe your parents are tired of all these animals. Also they might now think your have enough responsibility. (since one hamster fell). Just be patient and maybe they will let you have one soon. Hamsters are usually solitary so I don't think it is that lonely.

Answer 10

aww thats to bad.
well can you do the thinkg were you make them feel "giulty"
that could work lol.
sorry about your poor hammy
good luck with you r hamster issues