We're thinking of buying our 7 year old son a pet hampster for Christmas. What should we know about them? Do you think this is a good pet for a boy this age?
2007-12-21 12:06:05 · 13 answers · asked by laura 4 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
That's a great gift - he'll love it! I recommend you get some books on taking care of a hamster - something straight forward with lots of pictures. Maybe also a fun story about a hamster to go with him. This pet will help teach him responsibility (as long as he helps with the feeding and cleaning).
And yes, eventually the hamster will pass away. It doesn't hurt for him to learn about loss, either.
2007-12-21 12:16:26 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good God, christmas is only days away and you haven't even BEGUN to do your homework!
NO - do NOT get a living being as a present. This is not an object we are talking about or a toy. This is a LIVING BEING with wants, needs, and preferences of his or her own. And a 7-year old is far too young for such a delicate creature. Are YOU going to provide constant supervision? Will YOU be standing right there each and every time the boy has contact in any form with the hamster? Of course not. You can't even be bothered to do your homework ahead of time! How much less effort will you make to care for a little creature?! Do NOT expect a 7-year old to take over those duties. YOU as the adult are legally and morally responsible for the welfare of all living beings in your household. It is also the hamster's RIGHT by law to receive proper care including medical care. Are you financially prepared for vet bills? Not just food and water and a cage or toys. Vet bills WILL happen since all living creature eventually need health care. Don't suddenly get cheap and come on Yahoo Answers whining for free medical advice because you are too lazy or too cheap to do the right thing and take the hamster to the vet.
Hamsters are nocturnal. I'm sure you will enjoy hearing the constant squeak of the wheel as the hamster goes round and round and round on it all night long. Being awake all night certainly won't bother you!
You haven't a clue. Don't do that to an innocent and defenseless animal. This should not be a decision done lightly, but one done with some thought and planning and research done ahead of time - not a burst of whimsy. And just because you can do something doesn't mean it's the right TIME to do it. Your boy is far too young yet.
2007-12-21 12:41:12 · answer #2 · answered by D 6 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Be careful they bite!! Also, don't get a boy and a girl b/c the pair i had, had babies and the dad ate 2 of the babies while we were at school. Also, make sure u change the cage frequently b/c it gets really smelly and the hamster can get "wet tail" and die. Finally, have plenty of chewing toys b/c if their teeth get too long they can grow into its brain and kill it. For the cage i suggest not getting a metal wire one b/c they chew and pull on the metal bars causing a lot of noize. As, for the wheel if you get a metal one try putting tape or PAM on the part that goes into the hole in the middle or it will squeak all night long. A hamster ball is good for excercise tho. Hope this helps.
2007-12-21 12:12:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Lisa C.
you have lost your probably all ready small mind!
the have tiny legs and fat bodies so they can go that fast that far! they do have a back bone! and a skeletal system also (in case you thought otherwise!) every animal bites too! and just because your son had ADD doesn't mean all children do!
a 7 y.o. is a perfect candidate for a hamster. and by all means will make him a better, more responsible, child-young adult, then a normal adult. they also teach children that everything dies one day, and its a lot easier for a child to learn that from a hamster then a friend/ relative.
2007-12-21 12:19:49 · answer #4 · answered by wonder girl 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I don't thank it is a good pet to get a 7 year old. You sould go with some thing that bites less like pet rats.
2007-12-21 13:28:47 · answer #5 · answered by none503 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
not a good pet for a boy his age.hamsters bite !i had a hamster less then 2 years ago and im 19.that hamster bite me my fourteen and 7year old sisters all the time.buy him a toy robot or remote control car.if you still decide to get him a pet,maybe a small dog or puppy would do.
2007-12-21 12:13:16 · answer #6 · answered by ~txjewel~ 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Rats are very nice pets. People freak out because of the tail, but you get used to it. Males tend to have large balls that are unsightly, but are more calm than the females. They are extremely smart and friendly as long as you handle the rat often. Afterall, RATS spelled backwards is STAR
2016-05-25 08:48:34 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
yes, its good. children who have pets grow up to be more responsible adults and hamsters re one of the best pets a boy that age to have. you just have to feed it everyday and give it water and thats already ok.
2007-12-21 12:10:20 · answer #8 · answered by mad_scientist 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
hamsters bite you should always know that, and until it gets a lot of handling it will. But if you are commited to making it happy it will be.
2007-12-21 12:10:04 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
my son is 12 , and he loses interest fast. Does he seem responsible? the cage needs cleaned once a week, they bite and draw blood,is he a scared to handle it ,they are fast?They are known to get out especially, at night when u are in bed. They have no backbone.They need handled alot or they are more harder to hold or play with..Lot of work...
2007-12-21 12:11:49 · answer #10 · answered by Lisa C 3 · 1⤊ 2⤋