Q&A: When hamsters can be a wheel mistake
My 4-year-old son is begging for a hamster. Would this be a good "starter pet" for him?
Q: My 4-year-old son is begging for a hamster. Would this be a good "starter pet" for him?
A: My short response is no, and here's why:
* Hamsters are nocturnal. About the time your child is getting ready for bed, a hamster awakens and stays active throughout the night. A child will either sleep through his running on the wheel or be kept awake by it.
* Hamsters are grumpy if they're awakened and handled during the day. They may nip your child when he tries to play with them.
* Hamsters are escape artists. Small and speedy, they can escape a child's grasp and be off to a hiding place in seconds flat.
* Hamsters are solitary. Anyone who wants two hamsters should acquire two young hamsters of the same sex at the same time.
Who should have a hamster? Get one if you're a night owl or would enjoy interacting with one after a long day at work.
For a child who is at least 6 years old - the age at which kids can understand the need to handle hamsters gently - choose a sturdy species, such as a Syrian, amenable to handling when he's awake.
Limit dwarf hamsters and small species such as Chinese hamsters to children 12 or older.