I know this his Cat Cat lol but eek its my daughter's 9th birthday at the end of the month and she's set her heart on a friggin' hampster I've been trying to talk her out of it saying things like they're noturnal so its not a good idea to have the cage in the bedroom, we have 3 cats now so they might kill it and eat it, they are very delicate so you have to be EXTREMELY careful while holding it but she has an answer for everything and what's more my mother in law has promised her one on the condition that she starts listening to mummy and daddy.

I was trying to convince my daughter that a guinea pig would be better as they make ideal first pets and that was working until last weekend when the little girl over the road was left in tears because next door's cat to her managed to somehow open the run and killed the guinea pig and its put my daughter off but now this little girl has a new hampster and my daughter wants one too. Grrrrr

I suppose this is more of a rant than asking for advice as I have no clue how to look after a hampster or a guinea pig as we've always had cats and they are easy to look after!

I spoke to my mother in law just now so she's agreed to phone this evening and so we are going to say No to the hampster at least put her off for another year or so until she really understands where we are coming from with regards to the safetly of the little fellow or girlie.

I know lots of people that have had hamsters and cats (me included) you are right to be slightly concerned BUT aslong as you make sure the cage is secure at all times then it should be fine! If you really cant put her off I suggest a male syrian hamster as these are the easiest to handle generally and the friendliest.

If it turns out that you do end up getting one, pop onto rodent chat on here as they will give you plenty of advice reguarding cages (most cages in places like pets@home are too small for hamsters) Be warned they are as passionate about rodents on there as we are about cats on here and so their advice can seem a little harsh but it is just cos they care so much about the welfare of the little rodents.

Good luck in your decisions

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Tell your daughter that she is not normal!!! She is supposed to want a pony at 9 yrs old and so that is what she will be getting!!!!

I doubt the cats will try to eat that!!!!













Sorry!!! Absolutely NO help at all what-so-ever but it was the first thing that crossed my mind when I read your post......

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I would tell her that she can't have one as a gift, however, if she'd like to earn her right to have her own hamster then that's ok?

Start off by giving her daily chores like feed the cats, clean the litter tray (with gloves on) and make sure she knows that she'd have to do the same with the hamster cage. A few weeks of doing it and she'll probably have decided that a hamster is a bit too much hard work.
Remind her that while a new pet is exciting they need their toilet cleaned daily and their food and water changed daily, it's not all cuddles and cuteness.

IF she's still pestering, keeping up with the care of the cats and has well and truly proven she's responsible enough, then you can add in other little chores for her to do to pay for the cage/food etc.

Most 9 year olds will quickly change their minds about the whole pet idea (either that or they wait until they're 12 and go out and buy a hamster anyway like I did )

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I do like the idea of giving her total 'responsibility' of the cats daily car for a bit (supervised of course) to see if she has the sticking power for her own pet

maybe have a word about how guineas and rabbits if introduced to the cats properly can actually be allowed to interact whilst supervised and are easier to handle, therefore less likely to nip

also do a 'budget' session with her - work out how much of her pocket money it will take for food, sawdust, cage safe cleaner, bedding and so on

I had no pocket money from aged 8-16 cos of my pets but it was a willing sacrifice

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I think hamsters are ideal pets for children (presuming you make sure its fed, watered, cleaned etc if she loses interest), I had hamsters from when I was a year old, and loved them. I still have a hammy now, and 2 cats

It's quite easy to keep them apart, if you make sure she knows never to let the ham out without you being there (to ensure the cats are no where near). You can buy cages without bars so the cats cannot get their claws in to play 'hook a hamster'.

They are very easy to look after, especially compared to cats. They are also a cheap pet, once you get past the initial cost of a cage. A proper hamster cage will set you back anything from £60-90, unless you look on ebay or internet ads.

I don't think guinea pigs make the best pets for children, plus, they are smellier than hamsters, need a lot more space, and you must get two, as they don't do well without company! Plus, as you have seen, they can still be killed by cats.

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I think HKH has the right idea. When I was her age I had a hamster and I really can't say I was the most responsible of owners and it escaped on several occasion and my mum went mental!

We did rabbits, budgies, cockatiels, a parrot and a guineapig growing up and we did look after them but when it came to the hamster I would be easily distracted watching TV or trying to dress it in barbie clothes, putting it in the barbie car and zooming it round the living room it was no surprise it went missing frequently.

I would say give your daughter the responsibility of looking after the cats and see how she gets on.

On another thought do they still have hamsters in classrooms that get to go home with the students anymore?

We had a hamster when I was little but I didn't think it was an amazing pet for kids to be honest, or at least ours wasn't. It was super cute and ours was very good natured but it was really nocturnal and didn't get up most evenings until 9pm or later which limited opportunities for play. Just my tuppence worth!

I would be a bit grumpy with your MIL I think, it's a bit unfair to make promises to your daughter when you aren't keen!

OUr cats ATE our hamsters - even though they were behind a door, in a separate room and a door wedge pushed under the door. They were fascinated by them and ate them one night when we were out. Bad cats!!!!

Also the kids were interested for about 1 week and then all interest tailed off. And they were 8, 10 and 12 years old. Never did they feed, play or clean them out. That ended up as yet another of my chores.

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Hi we have a hammy and 4 cats its my daughters but she 19 not 9 so she has it in her room reading your thread i was wondering if tropical fish may be better just a thought we have those also and so easy to look after good luck with your desision x