Owning A Hamster: Housing And Care

First off, let's just put the title of this article straight. As my hamster Molly will tell you, a hamster does not get owned, it is a very independent creature that will happily live with you, if you provide it with the ideal environment and lots of treats. Ok, now we have got that important matter out of the way, let's continue.

Hamsters really do make great pets for both adults and children alike. They are easy to handle, being somewhat slower and with less of a tendency to dart about than other small rodents such as mice and gerbils. As long as they are handled from when they are young, hamsters are very friendly and will happily spend time with their owners.

It is important to have the proper housing, with a cage that provides plenty of space, with a wheel for exercise and some opportunity for climbing. Sawdust and bedding should be cleaned out on at least a weekly basis and fresh food and water provided daily. Hamster housing really does come in a variety of forms which ranges from cages, to modular units right through to stately home affairs. There is something to suit any budget and if you really want to go to town, the permutations are endless. Molly has her abode in a fairly standard cage, however that isn't to say that I am not tempted by the fabulous housing that I have seen, and may one day purchase. We'll just keep quiet about that though for the moment, I don't want to raise Molly's expectations just yet.

It is also good to have an exercise ball so that your pet can come out daily and really have an opportunity to go for a good run, without running any risk of them gnawing through any cables or furniture. Apart from fresh vegetables and dry hamster food, which should be the daily staples, there are also a wide variety of treats available specifically made for hamsters. These are fairly low priced at children's pocket money levels.

So if you are being plagued by your child for a pet and want one that is clean, small and fairly easy to take care of, with no real need for very much space, then a hamster is ideal. You don't need a garden, you don't have lots of long walks to make, and you don't need to break the bank. Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a mansion it makes no difference. Child or adult alike can enjoy the company of this cute animal, and even Molly would agree to that.