Hamsters come in a variety of breeds and kinds, each with its size and behavior. Hamsters can effectively live for up to two years on average, though some can live for even longer. Hamsters are a common first pet for children.
On the other hand, their requirements are pretty complicated. Careless treatment and unnecessary medication can harm them adversely. It can be tempting to buy a hamster on the spur of the moment.
After all, these adorable little creatures are little, spherical, fuzzy, and curious. Isn’t this a terrific first pet? Not in the least! Here are some key aspects to think about before jumping into a relationship with your pet.
Hamsters are lovely if you pet them with love!
Often, when pet stores choose little animals like hamsters to sell it to you, they’re mistreated and put into awful conditions â if you’re thinking about adopting a hamster, check for a local rescue first, and avoid pet stores.
It is essential to keep your small pet healthy and secure your pets during this pandemic. If you are confused about their health and where to start, we are here to help you!
Adapt to your schedule!
Because hamsters are nocturnal, they are most active at night. A creaking wheel at 2 a.m. might not be a good fit if you’re a light sleeper who is startled by even the tiniest sounds.
If you work the graveyard shift and want some fuzzy company during the day, hamsters will most likely disappoint you. However, if you’re a night owl, a hamster could be the ideal buddy when you’re up late!
Hamsters and children
Hamsters are one of the first choices as pets for children who want to play with them during the day due to their small size. However, just as your child is about to fall asleep, a hamster is about to awaken.
An awoken from a daytime snooze may also bite. So, we recommend, children under the age of eight should only handle hamsters under adult supervision. Hamsters require cautious handling and can be easily startled by loud noises or quick movements.
Children under the age of eight frequently lack the fine motor skills required to make a hamster feel at ease when being handled. Young children with poor fine motor skills and self-control may accidentally drop, squeeze, or startle a hamster into biting.
Because of their immature immune systems and their propensity for intimate contact with pets without proper hand washing, young children are more susceptible to zoonotic illnesses (diseases transmitted from animals to humans).
Salmonella, a type of intestinal bacterium that hamsters can carry, is especially dangerous to children under five. Hamsters have been found to carry Lymphocytic choriomeningitis, a virus that can cause significant illness in young children.
Your well-being
Salmonella is an intestinal bacteria that causes short but severe bouts of illness in healthy individuals can be carried by hamsters. A pregnant woman can pass it on to her unborn child, though it might cause much more severe complications.
Salmonella can also cause significant illness in people who are already sick from other diseases.
Lymphocytic choriomeningitis is a virus generally found in hamsters. This virus can adversely cause flu-like symptoms or no symptoms at all in healthy persons. It can, however, be readily passed from a pregnant mother to her unborn child and can cause severe sickness in persons who have weakened immune systems.
The amount of space required
Syrian hamsters are lonely, territorial creatures who require their living environment. If you are pairing up with a hamster together, they will fight and inflict significant harm on one another.
Therefore they must each have their own space. Allowing hamsters to reproduce is not suggested since a female who gives birth may murder and consume her young if disturbed. On the other hand, dwarf hamsters may be able to get along if properly introduced.
Considering the budget!
A hamster’s adoption fee or purchase price is usually low, but there are beginning expenditures and ongoing needs to consider. The following items are likely to be included in the initial equipment and supply purchase:
- A wire cage, an aquarium, or a modular habitat are all options.
- Materials for bedding and nesting
- Exercise wheel in a nesting box
- Water bottle and food dish
- Toys for Hamsters
Are you willing to spend several hundred dollars a year on your new companion, not considering veterinary expenditures, if your hamster develops a chronic illness such as diabetes or requires emergency treatment?
Time constraints
Hamsters are pretty self-sufficient and can keep themselves entertained for long periods if you can appropriately supplement their environment with toys, bedding, and burrowing and climbing chances.
Your hamster should still be handled and interacted with daily to be happy and well-adjusted. Keep in mind that you’ll need to clean your hamster’s cage entirely once a week.
In a nutshell
A hamster’s average lifespan is 2.5 to 3 years, with modest differences across species. This trait may appeal to you if you cannot commit to a pet for an extended time.
However, if you have young children and aren’t ready for them to see the death of a pet, a longer-lived animal may be preferable.
Read more for tips to befriend your pets with us!