Pets Information
Google
 

The Humble Hamster: A Great First Pet for Your Child


Thinking of getting a pet for your little ones? How about a hamster? They're cute, inexpensive, easy to care for, and a great first pet that will teach your child how to be more responsible. Here are some things I learned during my experience as a hamster owner. I hope they aid you in your pet-purchasing decision.

- Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, so expect minimal activity during the day and a fair amount of noisemaking from the hamster cage after hours. Place the cage in a warm, draft-free, secluded spot in the house, where potential activity won't cause a disturbance in the night. Be sure that the lid or door of the cage is securely latched tight, as hamsters are fond of making the occasional midnight escape. As a little girl I awakened many a morning to find my hamster missing, having jimmied the lock on his cage somehow. On several occasions I found him vacationing in a mouse hole behind our kitchen stove and had to coax him out with his water bottle (I'm not kidding about this). It always amazed me that he never injured himself on these wild adventures.

- Unlike guinea pigs, hamsters are solitary dwellers. Doubling or tripling up is definitely not a good idea, as hamster roommates will fight and may seriously injure each other. Your hamster will be quite content to live his adult life in his 'single room apartment.' Be sure to provide him with a sturdy cage of either the plastic and metal store-bought variety, or a roomy fish tank with a secure top. Hamster housing essentials: a water bottle that doesn't leak, dry cedar or pine bedding to line the bottom of the cage, an exercise wheel, and a steady supply of hamster food, all of which you can purchase at the pet store. You may also want to buy him a salt lick and a little box of hamster treats.

- Once your hamster settles into his new home, the first thing he'll do is build himself a cozy nest. Hamsters are quite funny with their housekeeping ways. You can watch yours fill up his cheek pouches with cedar bedding until he looks just like a blowfish; it's really quite amusing to see. Then he'll run to the corner of the cage and unload the contents of his cheeks. He'll do this over and over until he has a nice, big hill of bedding, and then he'll tuck himself right into the middle and drift off to sleep. He'll likely not want to be disturbed until the sun goes down, upon which you'll see him venture out of his nest, have a nibble of his food and then maybe go for a spin on his hamster wheel. Your hamster will even establish a specific spot in the cage that he uses for a bathroom!

- Wet tail is a common hamster ailment that can easily be cured with medicine that you can purchase at the pet store. If your hamster has wet tail, you'll notice his stools will be watery and he may also have a bit of a runny nose, too. Wet tail is the hamster version of a cold and should be treated promptly, as hamsters are not hearty creatures. To keep your hamster healthy and well, make sure his cage is kept in a warm, draft-free area in the house. Hamsters originate from a warm climate and therefore should not be exposed to a chill.

- Your hamster cage should be thoroughly cleaned out at least once a week. It's best to tackle this task outside or near a slop sink in a basement or garage, as it does get messy. Empty all the bedding into the garbage, wipe down any remaining soiled parts, and then use hot, soapy water to wash out the cage. Do not clean your hamster cage with bleach, as a residue can remain that will harm your hamster if he ingests it.

- If you've taken your hamster out for a little fun, never leave him unattended on a tabletop or high counter, even for a second. Hamsters do not have depth perception and will no doubt make a sudden dash for the edge of the table. You wouldn't want your hamster to break his leg, would you? On the other hand, he will enjoy a safe romp in his enclosed hamster ball. You can buy one at any pet store.

If you or your children aren't ready for the committment that having a dog brings, try a hamster on for size. Unlike a fish, you can give your hamster a kiss. Unlike a dog or cat, you don't need to feed him every single day or take your hamster outside. He will pretty much enjoy living a quiet hamster life in his hamster house. Sounds like the ideal pet to me!

Dina Giolitto is a New-Jersey based Copywriting Consultant with ten years of industry experience. Her current focus is web content and web marketing for a multitude of products and services although the bulk of her experience lies in retail for big-name companies like Toys"R"Us. Visit http://www.wordfeeder.com for rates and samples.


MORE RESOURCES:

Longer Living, Healthier Pets Boost the $5 Billion Market for Pet ...
MarketWatch - 4 hours ago
NEW YORK, NY, Oct 10, 2008 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- At the center of robust global animal health product growth, the US market for pet medications is ...
Longer Living, Healthier Pets Boost the $5 Billion Market for Pet ... International Business Times
Controversial Stevia May Be Wild Card in $3 Billion Sweetener Market MarketWatch
Controversial Stevia May Be Wild Card in $3 Billion Sweetener Market International Business Times
all 15 news articles


Purina ONE(R) Launches 'Petcentric Cafe' Radio Program on SIRIUS ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
How do your pets feel when you use them as date bait? These are just some of the questions that will be answered on Petcentric Cafe, a paws-itively new ...


Hard times trigger more pet abandonments
MLive.com, MI - 3 hours ago
Such drop offs are evidence that the economic woes in Michigan are hurting not only its residents, but also their pets. The number of pets abandoned or ...


Pets, Children, Speeders on NPH
SitNews, AK - 9 hours ago
By Suzan Thompson The writers of recent letters addressing the pet, child, traffic problems on North Point Higgins all make excellent points. ...


Regional Effort on Exotic Pets Still Waiting to Gel
Sun Gazette, DC - 8 hours ago
But board members stopped short of enacting a more sweeping ban on “dangerous” snakes and other pets, saying that there should be some regional discussion ...


Stuff.co.nz

Exotic pets pose health risks
Globe and Mail, Canada - Oct 7, 2008
So your son is begging for a pet turtle. Before you cave in, consider the salmonella it packs along with it. Reptiles, monkeys, rodents and other exotic ...
8 Pets That Pose Major Health Threats to Kids U.S. News & World Report
Exotic animals, domestic pets pose risk for children: study AFP
Kids want an exotic pet? Ask your doctor first Reuters South Africa
The Press Association - KOAA
all 421 news articles


Pets of the Week
Salt Lake Tribune, United States - Oct 9, 2008
Visit the Utah Animal Adoption Center, 1955 N. Redwood Road, or consult the web at www.utahanimaladoptioncenter.org. For information, call 801-355-PETS.


Bonfire night advice for owners of pets
Okehampton Times, UK - 16 minutes ago
PET owners throughout Okehampton are being urged by local vets to prepare early for fireworks night. Although it is only October, Kirstin Phippard from ...


Halloween Can Be a Scary Holiday ... for Pets
MarketWatch - Oct 9, 2008
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) cautions people about keeping their pets safe and preventing dog bite injuries this Halloween. ...
Veterinarians Say Good Hygiene, Common Sense Key To Healthy Pets ... Medical News Today (press release)
all 7 news articles


Church celebrates blessing of the pets
Marco Island Sun Times, Fl - 2 hours ago
By Daniel Winningham / daniel@misuntimes.com Members of San Marco Catholic Church brought animals of all sizes - mostly dogs - to the annual pet blessing ...

Pets - Google News

Français Español 日本語 [أربيك] Italiano Deutsch 汉语 漢語 Nederlands 한국어 PortРусско
Ελληνικά Swedish Indo Romanian Polish Norwegian Hindi Finnish Danish Czech Croatian Bulgarian English - Original language website translator

home | site map
Directory Seo Supreme
© 2006