I am thinking of getting a hamster to keep me company in Year 2013

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   I will put him in an old aquarium. It is large enough.
   
   I am soliciting all advice as to hamsterdom. For real. Of course, as always, I welcome humor as well.

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      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Do not keep two hamsters in one cage, they will literally tear chunks off each other. Besides, they're solitary creatures. My hamster died a couple of months ago. I was gutted!
      
      You'll need to buy him/her a little wheel so he/she can take a constitutional.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Only one. Should I do male or female?
         
         I feel a youtube hit coming on...

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            Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I'm not sure it makes much difference. My hamster, was in fact, a female which was named little fella because we all believed it was a male (I really *need* new specs) I found her in the street, she was homeless!
            
            Just chose the one that you get along with/like when you go to buy.

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               paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               There are probably tests for such things.
               
               I touch his/her nose with my finger at the pet shop. What response do I want?

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                  Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Even the friendliest of hamsters will probably bite your finger if you stick it too close to it's mouth. How is it to know the difference between your finger and food? Just select one which appears to not mind being handled. Some actually appear to like being handled and stroked.

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   psycheskinnerposted 11 years ago

   IMHO, a pair of rats would be nice.  The may not look as cute but the bond more with people and will look happy to see you when you come home.  They can also be trained to do tricks like little dogs.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      You bring up, what I consider, a salient point. Seriously, what exactly is the difference between a rat and a hamster? I will find the answer to that question before proceeding further.

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         Kathryn LJposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Rats have long tails and hamsters don't. Because they are rodents they don't live that long. 

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            I know I could look it up, but this is more fun. Just how long do hamsters live? I'm not sure I want to go this route if he/she dies before I do.

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               Kathryn LJposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Small rodents only live for a couple of years, I shall Google it and get back to you.

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                  Kathryn LJposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  The bad news is it's between one and half and three and a half years.

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               DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

               What about a parrot? The bird will be alive to play with your grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Just remember to include the bird in the will.

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                  Kathryn LJposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  Oh yes, parrots are wonderful and are with you forever. might be a bit expensive though.  Hamsters are a cheap buy.

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                     DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

                     Isn´t "You get what you pay for" an old and respected expression among the farming folk of Brittany?
                     Hamsters are cheap for a reason.

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                        Kathryn LJposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                          In Brittany they would say "What do you want a hamster for, aren't there enough rodents in the wall already."

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                  paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

                  No, as to parrot. And I reread your other post...

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      A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Like on  "The Green Mile".

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   LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years ago

   Make sure it has enough bedding for it to dig into. Get an old coffee can or flower pot for it to nest in and if you put a male and a female make sure you create a barrier in about 1/4 of the tank for the female to raise its young. Otherwise the male may eat them...................

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      I get the impression you know what you are talking about. They'll only be the one for now. Should I do male or female? What else can you advise?

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         Pearldiverposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I couldn't help but notice that you mentioned putting hamster in an old fish tank!
         
         Surely your concern of which sex to chose would not make a hell of alot of difference if the hamster you decide upon, can't swim!  Would you not be better off having fish in that tank instead... afterall, they are at least natural swimmers, whereas Hamsters.... well they do eventually sink after only 15 hours of treading water mate!     Fish can swim for years! 

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            You just reminded me of something important. Serious and real deal. I am capitalizing for archive visitors so to speak. I am serious about that, too.
            
            NEVER BUY OR USE AN OLD FISH TANK FOR FISH! The seams have dried out and structural integrity is lost. If the tank has been dry for a long time, and then you fill it up with water; you will come home someday and find that water all over your carpet.

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            DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            That could be serious animal abuse. Maybe paradigmsearch will be on the news now that Michael Vick is reformed. Instead of reading about "Dog fighting in Virginia" it will be "Hamster torture in ..." (wherever paradigm search is).

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         LuisEGonzalezposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I had hamsters for most of my high school and college years. Male or female will behave about the same. In order to get them accustomed to you, you need to get them young and gradually pet them so that they can identify your smell. Offering food morsels  from your hand will make the acclimation process quicker. An exercise wheel will keep them busy too. I used to raise and sell the young ones and it's a great joy to see them raise litters.

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   innerspinposted 11 years ago

   Hamsters are mainly nocturnal, so, unless you are too, they won't provide much company. Be prepared for scuttling and chewing sounds during the night. We've had hamsters and gerbils in the past, I'd always go for gerbils  these days as you can keep them in same-sex pairs. The interaction is amusing. They love to burrow, so a tank with peat and straw is great for them. Hamster live for a couple of years, our gerbils made it to about three and a half. It's also fun naming a duo, eg Bubble and Squeak, Hop and Skip, Slash and Burn.....

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you very much for reminding me about gerbils!!! Serious. The name alone cracks me up. I'd love to have on my life resume that I'm a gerbil keeper.
      
      This thread expands to both gerbils and hamsters.
      
      I am soliciting all advice as to both gerbils and hamsters.

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   paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

   And, a new thought, do gerbils and hamsters get along?

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      Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Gerbils will drive you crazy. They're nocturnal and just love to stamp the floor of their cage, when you want to go to sleep. I wouldn't chance putting a gerbil and hamster together. Although, I'm sure there are exceptions and some get along.

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         paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I believe you. Gerbils removed from list. Thanks, you may very well have saved me from some aggravation.

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            Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Hamsters are nocturnal but mine used to wake up at about 4.30 pm. Pity you don't live closer as I have still have her huge cage and all her little toys.

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               paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

               Posting here has really paid off!!!
               
               Information given has given me to conclude:
               
               No Hamsters!
               
               No Gerbils!
               
               Lizards are front runner.

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   DrMark1961posted 11 years ago

   You really should consider getting a lizard. Be sure to see Nettlemere´s hub about convincing your parents to let you have a lizard, as you wouldn´t want to get in trouble for doing this.
   Speaking from personal experience, hamsters bite, smell up the room, and run around all night long when you are trying to sleep. Unless you post during the night and sleep during the day, consider an alternative.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      This is unbelievable. Lizards were also an option for me. I'd just plain forgotten.

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   A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years ago

   Hamsters aren't good company and they can't hold their liquor.

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      DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Actually they can you just need to serve them in very small shot glasses, or preferably their water bottle.

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         A Driveby Quipperposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         I have one in my shot glass right now.

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            DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

            Drink quickly. According to research conducted in New Zealand they are not able to tread water longer than 15 hours.

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   WriteAngledposted 11 years ago

   Must say I am happier with cats. Have four, aged from about 7 to about 17 years. Each has a completely unique personality.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      
      .
      I like cats. We've got enumerable of them wandering outside. I see them everyday through the sliding glass doors. Cracks me up, actually. Otherwise, a cat would be it. 

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   Hollie Thomasposted 11 years ago

   I just have one dog now, but I'm thinking about getting another one. Just don't know how Tilly would react if I were to take on another. I actually wouldn't mind another cat, they're so independent (and lovable) but I'd be afraid of leaving one alone with my dog.

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      DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Get a Ragdoll, Maine Coon, or Siberian. They are all great with dogs (well, most dogs.)

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         Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         It's the dog that I'm worried about. I'm worried she'd become really jealous. She *hated* the hamster but knew she wasn't allowed to eat it.

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      paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

      Now that is the real deal!
      
      A dog is my first choice!!!
      
      However, ethics demand not.
      
      The dog must be walked twice a day.
      
      I would fail to accomplish that. Simple as that. No dog.

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         DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Why? Getting out and walking your dog everyday is good for you. (It beats sitting on your couch and watching your fish.)

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            paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

            And just what do you have against my fish?

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               DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

               I like fish. Some of my best friends are fish.

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         Hollie Thomasposted 11 years agoin reply to this

         Cat or hamster?

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    paradigmsearchposted 11 years ago

    
    "Honey, I'm home...!"

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    DrMark1961posted 11 years ago

    
    This is actually the best choice. He is only about 4 feet long, eats whatever I have left over, and is not venemous.

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       paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       My heavens!!!

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          DrMark1961posted 11 years agoin reply to this

          He loves omlettes. When I make a green banana omlette I usually give him half and he gets so excited that he bites the skillet.

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    wildernessposted 11 years ago

    No hamster for me.  I've been asking my wife for the gift of a nice French Maid for 36 years, every birthday and Christmas but haven't gotten one yet.  I have a birthday, though, in just 6 months - maybe this time my pleas will work. 

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       paradigmsearchposted 11 years agoin reply to this

       
       Your wish is my command...

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    abbyw1989posted 11 years ago

    I've had my little girl hamster Floyd for a year and a half now. Wasn't planning on buying a new pet (I prefer to adopt), but saw her in the store and fell in love. She was the only one who wasn't snoozing, she was doing obsessive pull ups and running like a crazy woman on her wheel. She's a Roborovski dwarf hamster. She prefers to live alone, but some prefer partners - it really depends on the individual animal I wouldn't swap her for anything. She gets along well with the rest of the animals in the house. Unlike others, she gets up during the day for a few hours. She's incredibly affectionate and has never bitten anyone (apart from the vet, once. But who hasn't wanted to bite a vet? haha)
    The key to a happy, non bite-y hamster is plenty of love and affection from an early age. Get them used to your scent and be gentle with them. Keep them entertained with plenty of toys and new things to do. They may be small but they get bored too! Don't try and wake them up before they're ready, or it'll put them in a bad mood (I am exactly the same myself. Who likes being disturbed from an awesome dream about running and burying yourself in sawdust?!) Dry food is fine but add a bit of variety in there, the only thing they can't eat is citrus fruit.
    Good luck with getting a pet - you'll get hours of fun and company from him/her if you treat them right

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    lorlie6posted 11 years ago

    Didn't I hear something about Jodie Foster and hamsters at the Golden Globes this year??
    
    Perhaps ya should ask her, ps!!!

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