Adopting a Hamster

This is a guest article by Ashley.

Hamsters are fuzzy and adorable. They make excellent first time pets for children, as they are easy to care for, quiet, and generally very docile creatures. Many hamsters that end up in rescue centers are there because their previous owners said that they were mean, due to biting them or their children. In most cases, the biting was due to inappropriate handling. If you know what signs to look for, and the proper way to handle these fuzzy little fellows, you can prevent biting behaviors easily.

Creamsicle is one of many hamsters currently available for adoption at petfinder.com.

Adopting a hamster is a great way to teach your children about responsibility. Involve them in the selection process. Teach them how pet adoption saves the life of an animal, and reduces the population of unwanted animals that are put to sleep each year. They will be proud of themselves for helping out, and feel a sense of accomplishment in rehabilitating their new pet.

It’s very important to teach them proper handling techniques. Young children often become excited, and squeeze or shake their hamster. This can cause physical harm to the hamster, and is very frightening. It’s this squeezing or shaking that leads to most hamster bites. If your child is bitten, let them know why they were bitten and how to avoid it. The hamster is not mean, it’s just hurt or scared. Children have a tendency to overreact to a hamster bite out of fear, throwing the hamster, or smacking it. This can lead to physical injury and, in severe cases, death.

When you bring your new hamster home, don’t let your child handle it unless you are there to supervise. Instruct them to hold the hamster gently. Tell them that it’s okay to pet their hamster, but to do so lightly, and to avoid pressing down hard or “smacking” the hamster.

Teach them how to care for their new pet. Show your child how much food the hamster should have, and how often. Have them help you clean the cage and replace the shavings. Show them how to fill the water bottle. Stress the importance of a clean environment, food, and water. Hamsters also need exercise. Most hamster cages come with an exercise wheel. These treadmill-like toys are an endless source of entertainment, for both the hamster and your family. Even after your child gets into the habit of caring for his or her hamster, make sure that you check behind them. Children can be very forgetful, and a leading cause of death in pet hamsters is dehydration, starvation, or disease due to unclean living arrangements.

t’s also essential that you regularly check your hamster, looking for any signs of common health issues. Hamsters are prone to parasites like mites and ringworms. Often, signs of illness or injury can go undetected due to their small size, so careful observation is needed. If you suspect that your hamster is sick, take them in to see a veterinarian immediately. Signs of illness include, but are not limited to, sneezing, unkempt coat, loss of appetite, hair loss, and diarrhea.

Hamsters may be small, but they require the same level of care and love as any other pet. Hamsters are indeed excellent pets for children, but adult supervision should always be practiced to make sure that they are getting proper care. Watching your child play with their new hamster, and knowing that you’re teaching them compassion for animals, is a very rewarding experience.

“Life is as dear to a mute creature as it is to man. Just as one wants happiness and fears pain, just as one wants to live and not die, so do other creatures.” ~ His Holiness The Dalai Lama