Caring for Hamsters with Kids

Hamsters can make great pets for kids, but there are a few things to be aware of before enjoying the benefits of having a pet hamster. Hamsters are perfect for busy families since they do not require a lot of human interaction and can thrive with just some basic pet care. Having your child care for a pet gives them a sense of responsibility which is important as they grow up.

Benefits for Children

Hamsters as pets are ideal children for a number of reasons:

They are small and do not need a lot of space. Hampsters are ideal for apartments or small spaces and are great indoor pets.
Kids can easily take care of them and parents will love that it only costs about $50 a year to properly care for a hamster.
Only about 30 minutes a day is necessary to properly take care of a hamster, so they fit nicely into a busy schedule. Creating a hamster care chart with your kids is a great way to teach kids how to care for their new pet.

Prepare to Get a Hamster

A good place to get a hamster is a pet store or animal shelter. Many people unfortunately abandon these creatures when they no longer have the time to care for them properly. Find a veterinarian who specializes in the care of rodents. It is a good idea to take them to a vet at least once a month for a check up to make sure everything is alright.

When preparing for a hamster there are a few things to consider:

Get a cage that has enough room for the hamster to run around in. They like to keep active, so put some tunnels or a wheel inside of the cage.
Sticks, paper towel rolls, bird ladders and small cardboard boxes can also be added to the cage for your hamster to play.
An aquarium (with a lid) can also be a good home.; Hamsters are solitary animals. You can only have one per cage. If they are put together they will fight and possibly harm each other.
You may not want to keep the cage in a child's bedroom at night (unless they are heavy sleepers) since hamsters are nocturnal and are more active at night.
Some type of bedding will have to be placed at the bottom of the cage. Cedar shavings may cause breathing problems, so corn cob shavings, pine shavings or recycled newspapers cut into pieces are recommended.

Care for your Hamster

Hamsters do not mind being picked up, as long as you do it right. Gently pick them up by placing your fingers around their middle. Carefully place the hamster in the palm of your hand and continue to hold onto the hamster as you place your other hand above the animal since hamsters can jump. Do not squeeze the hamster as they may bite if frightened or threatened.

Hamster care tips for parents and kids:

Keep your hamster's home clean. This includes cleaning their tunnels and wheels.
Hamsters have fresh water and food everyday. You can buy food especially made for hamsters. They also like small amounts of vegetables and fruits (one tablespoon per animal is suggested) such as bananas, apples, green beans and peas. Make sure you remove any food they don't eat so it doesn't spoil.
Give your hamster some time outside of its cage. Make sure it is an area where they won't run off or get lost. A bathroom is one suggestion.
Clean out the cage and change the bedding at least once a week. Dish detergent and water should be fine for cleaning the cage.
Check your hamster at least once a month for any missing fur, lumps or anything unusual. Hamsters can make good pets for kids and require minimal care. Remember to change their water and food daily and keep their cage clean and your hamster should be a fun pet.