42 replies to this topic

[Melodie]

Ok, why isn't this article pinned anywhere yet?! It needs to be somewhere where people can find it easily! I have it saved in my favourites list in a folder specifically designated for HH articles I link to frequently (such as The Case For Large Cages, and How To Make a BIn Cage)when helping people.

[Iloveboo]

THANKYOU soo much!! I will definitely show my parents this in hope that they will finally understand why a hamster needs the best care it can get. I am very thankful though because I eventually pursuaded my mum and dad to: Get carefresh instead of softwood shavings, build a bin cage, get Harry hamster food/hazel hamster food and let me get rid of all the unsafe toys (sadly most of them were expensive so they were not very happy about getting rid of them). I am VERY thankful for that but the sad thing is, they still do not think my hamster needed it. They just think I did it because it's cool or something so THANKYOU!! I will show them this

[matty]

THIS, people, THIS is a perfect example of what there should be more of. ~Grammy2Hammies~, I need to email this to my parents. Your hamster is VERY lucky to have you. (Oh, and beautiful cage, btw.)

 

 

EDIT: Mods, could we maybe pin this? This isn't something, I think, anyone wants buried a few months from now.

Edited by ~Solace~, 01 July 2015 - 08:28 PM.

[Jacy]

Being an only parent with two kids under 6, and I rent from my parents..we live seperate. I would not
Buy the hamster for a child, I am doing for myself if they want to help I guess it is okay, but I am
Not going to hand a hamster over, I will just tell the girls they can touch but no grabbing.

[matty]

I LOVE THIS POST It convinced my dad to make Claire a bigger cage!

[Graceshamsters]

This will be so helpful thank you I have the trouble of convincing my parents to understand that my hammy needs a bigger cage I will show them this and hopefully they will understand

[matty]

YASS IT GOT PINNED!

[Foreverhammy]

Can some one show this to my mom?  LOL except for # 7...

[FragileMind]

My parents never let me have a pet. They think that animals are dirty and could bring diseases. Not to mentioned that they wanted me to concentrate on my education rather than wasting time on those animals. When i was old enough, i bought a small rabbit for my young sister, and had a big fight with my dad over this. He even took the rabbit and threw it in a rubbish bin (of course i rescue it and eventually gave it away to my friend) They never knew how much they hurt me because of this ( disclaimer: I know my parents still love me in their own way, and i love them very much as well)

Now that i am a father to 2 beautiful kids, I tried to give them what I couldn't have. My daughter wanted a small pet very much. But unfortunately my wife doesn't agree to the idea of a 6 years old having a pet.

In the end we get it anyway and of course my wife is not happy. But my daughter was estastic and so happy!

We had the little Robos for a week, but i see how lovely my daughter actually was. She cares for the little animals so much... Making sure that they have enough food and drinks. She even ask us to lower down the tv volume because her hamsters are sleeping. She is so patient in handling them and trying to tame them. The first few days didn't go well and they robos keep running away or try to jump off from her little hands. But she never gave up and keep trying her best. And finally she succeeded. I think the robos can feel the care and love she had for them as well.



Of course as a parent we always want something good from the kids in return. ";) Grins evilly". She used to take ages to finish her meal... Don't really want to do her homework and revision. We set some rules for her so that she can play with her little friends. Now she finished her meals in 30 mins instead of 1 hour. She make sure she finished her homework and revision so that she can play with them. I call this positive reinforcement hehehe.

Now my wife thinks that this is not a bad idea at all. And she as well start playing with the little hamsters and wanted to hold them. And guess what, my daughter is now teaching her how to do it.

I sincerely think that having a pet is great for children. It teaches them to be caring... To be responsible... To prioritize and to grow up to be a better person.

And i am very glad that i make the right decision and grateful that these little animals actually give us more in return.

Edited by FragileMind, 11 July 2015 - 06:55 PM.

[Jacy]

My parents let us have small goldfish when we were kids, but I don't think they knew much about fish care and unfortunately due to over feeding they died. My younger sister cried, and after that my parents did not go through the trouble of it. When we were young teens we had Betta fish, and at that time I became more aware about pet care, and my dad still help change the water. But I read books about fish and mine lived two years. I am not sure how long my sisters lived, but they were too busy with school to pay attention. I got a surprise hamster cage( critter trail) from my parents after my younger sister bought a rabbit when i went to to pet shop with her. I really Wanted a hamster, but like most teens I was to focused on how I was feeling, I did not think about the care of the animal so I ask my dad to buy the hamster book he agreed. Before my fifteen birthday I found a present in my room it was a hamster cage.

During that time Most people didn't know much about small animal care, and I used cedar bedding and I bought a low quality hamster food.

I believe my hamster Teddy was at least over 6 months when I got him, after a few months he started having a wet bottom, my parents Did not believe In wasting money on small animals to go to the vet. But they know at least that cats and dogs are required to go. I felt bad in having the sick hamster, eventally I had a little bit of allowance money and I called the closest vet clinic I can go to. I kind of lied About where I was going but if I knew I was taking my hamster there I would not know. So he got seen, and they prescribed me some medicine, and I put it in his water. It saved him from passing away but he was not healthy and vet say there is not much to do.. And he Passed close to 2 years. His nails were long and apparently he had trouble eating, but I didn't know hamsters need to chew on stuff.

The second hamster I had didn't even live Pass 2 months. I took a break from having animals, when I was living with my ex in the states later on I did not tell my parents that I spend some money they gave me on pets, since I still enjoy animals. I picked up two Syrians from the store, I had a glass tank provided for them and a small cage. Two weeks later I noticed that one hamster was acting strange and aggressive, so I removed one of them, luckily I had the critter trail to put it in. I feed the hamsters bread with milk not knowing that one is pregnant. I had to clean her cage and I figure she might have them soon so I put a towel over the lid on the tank, so it is dark. I made sure she had enough food, and egg. She had 8 babies, and i did not touch them until I learned I to figure out the gender..nobody taught my how to care for them I had to figure it out. I soaked hamster pellets in water to make it soft to feed the babies when they were 3weeks, I gradually added the seed mix. They were more friendly then the mother, and I was sad to see them go after I sold them back to the pet store. At least I figure they might have homes, even if they did not live long. I was bit a lot by her, and I handled the babies often at 4 weeks. It was more stressful hand rearing sick kittens, since my father in law was a animal hoarder and he refused to give up the cats. They constantly had babies, and I had to help some cats when they had babies. I had to bury some kittens, those first few weeks are really hard, but the more viable kittens had a better chance when they are ready to be weaned.

But I hope to learn more about hamster care so I can provide for rainbow, even if my parents don't agree.
They wouldn't rent out there townhouse to people with pets, unless they have no choice.

Edited by Jacy, 12 July 2015 - 02:28 AM.

[Jacy]

I am a single parent of two girls, and I rent from my parents. My dad thinks hamsters don't need much space. I showed him a bin cage on the Internet, and I told him I am interested in making one, but I might need help. He said maybe we can attach it to one of the other ones...but in the end he said just do what I need to.

[Norman]

I am gonna show this to my parents.

[Vanillax]

I would like to add to this, maybe some things have been said already, but this is my view on it.

Though I currently do not have children yet, I guide children that become 'students' at our local shelter and have quite the experience with both children and parents.

There are a few questions I often here, so I thought this might be the place to answer them.

 

Why should I let my child have a pet?

First of all, having a pet, wether their own or a family pet, is very good for the development of your child. You can make this a GREAT learning experience, if you're on board with them. You can teach them about responsibilities, cleaning, animal care, punctuality, sharing, crafting, planning and so much more. At the shelter I work at we suggest parents who are not sure if they should buy a hamster (or any other pet, but let's target at hamsters here), to make a 'project' out of it. Let some time go over it and keep them busy with hamster themed chores. For example, ask them to make a small presentation about hamsters. What do they need, where do they come from, how old do they get, etc etc. Give them access to the internet or give them some old fashioned books or printed out info sheets. You could even combine this with math exercises. Give them some exercises that involve hamster food, toys etc. Make them clean their rooms to make room for a future hamster cage, or let them help you clean the room the hamster is going to be in. Want to see if they can be responsible enough to feed their hamster every day, on time? Make a little game out of it. Use an old shoe box and a stuffed animal and see if they can manage to 'feed' the stuffed animal every day. Want to do something creative? Craft a hamster house out of popsicle sticks or make toys out of toilet paper rolls. The possibilities are endless. Getting a pet, and even the weeks before it, can be a great way to bond with your child and teach them a lot.

 

Why a hamster?

Hamsters are relatively easy to keep. They don't need to be walked, they don't require as much space as a cat or rabbit and they don't require as much attention as a dog. With a hamster, you could be at work all day and your kid could be at school all day and it will be fine as long as you give it some attention at night. I personally like that dwarf hamsters become 'wild' again if you don't give them enough attention. It takes a bit to tame them, and if you leave them alone for a couple of weeks they won't be as friendly and need to be tamed again. Another great responsibility lesson without doing any damage to the pet. (If you give it it's basic needs, of course.) 

 

When would you not recommend a hamster?

Pets cost money. Research a bit on the prices of hamster accessories and food before you make any decisions. I'd also not recommend hamsters (or any pet) for children with a lot of hobbies or after school activities. The number one reason we receive hamsters at the shelter is 'My kid is too busy to care for it.' And don't forget that you, as a parent, should always be the main person responsible for the animal. A child is a child and needs parental supervision in some form. You need to be willing to do it as well. 

Edited by Vanillax, 26 February 2016 - 08:46 PM.

[Trixie]

Well written! Great job   

[Trixie]

I would like to add to this, maybe some things have been said already, but this is my view on it.

Though I currently do not have children yet, I guide children that become 'students' at our local shelter and have quite the experience with both children and parents.

There are a few questions I often here, so I thought this might be the place to answer them.

 

Why should I let my child have a pet?

First of all, having a pet, wether their own or a family pet, is very good for the development of your child. You can make this a GREAT learning experience, if you're on board with them. You can teach them about responsibilities, cleaning, animal care, punctuality, sharing, crafting, planning and so much more. At the shelter I work at we suggest parents who are not sure if they should buy a hamster (or any other pet, but let's target at hamsters here), to make a 'project' out of it. Let some time go over it and keep them busy with hamster themed chores. For example, ask them to make a small presentation about hamsters. What do they need, where do they come from, how old do they get, etc etc. Give them access to the internet or give them some old fashioned books or printed out info sheets. You could even combine this with math exercises. Give them some exercises that involve hamster food, toys etc. Make them clean their rooms to make room for a future hamster cage, or let them help you clean the room the hamster is going to be in. Want to see if they can be responsible enough to feed their hamster every day, on time? Make a little game out of it. Use an old shoe box and a stuffed animal and see if they can manage to 'feed' the stuffed animal every day. Want to do something creative? Craft a hamster house out of popsicle sticks or make toys out of toilet paper rolls. The possibilities are endless. Getting a pet, and even the weeks before it, can be a great way to bond with your child and teach them a lot.

 

Why a hamster?

Hamsters are relatively easy to keep. They don't need to be walked, they don't require as much space as a cat or rabbit and they don't require as much attention as a dog. With a hamster, you could be at work all day and your kid could be at school all day and it will be fine as long as you give it some attention at night. I personally like that dwarf hamsters become 'wild' again if you don't give them enough attention. It takes a bit to tame them, and if you leave them alone for a couple of weeks they won't be as friendly and need to be tamed again. Another great responsibility lesson without doing any damage to the pet. (If you give it it's basic needs, of course.) 

 

When would you not recommend a hamster?

Pets cost money. Research a bit on the prices of hamster accessories and food before you make any decisions. I'd also not recommend hamsters (or any pet) for children with a lot of hobbies or after school activities. The number one reason we receive hamsters at the shelter is 'My kid is too busy to care for it.' And don't forget that you, as a parent, should always be the main person responsible for the animal. A child is a child and needs parental supervision in some form. You need to be willing to do it as well. 

Good information!