Complete Newbie

[Danul]

Hello,
I'm new to hamsters and also to Internet forums, so please forgive any howling errors...

My 7 year old daughter has decided that she wants a couple of hamsters for her birthday, which will be lovely but I have no idea about hamsters or hamster care (I had cats as a boy)

I've read a lot of posts and the wiki here (as well as some other Internet research), but I'm hoping you'll be able to help me with a couple of things:

Firstly, we'd like to get a same sex pair of winter whites, if we can find them. I'm considering a Savic Cambridge cage for them and put it in the conservatory. However, our conservatory is unheated or airconditioned, so can get quite hot or cold. Are hamsters at all vulnerable to extremes of temperature? Also, the tumble dryer is in there, so the air can get quite damp at times: I imagine that's not ideal?

Secondly, would I be correct in preferring to go direct to a breeder? I'm just not comfortable going to a pet superstore, but I imagine breeders might get offended if I start blundering about amongst their prize pedigree show animals "just" for a household pet. Also, while I naturally would like the happiest and healthiest pet, would I be wasting money? (perhaps my experience with cats is colouring this, my mother took me to pick out a new kitten and then had to extricate herself from a sulky 9 year old and a proposed two hundred pounds worth of kitten!)

Many thanks for reading this far, I look forward to reading your thoughts

[souffle]

You are in the right place for WW - Lisa at Pick n Mix (lisab on the forum)is in your area and may be able to help you out there so I would contact her. website: http://picknmixhams.moonfruit.com/
She would welcome a pet home I'm sure and help choose the right hamsters for you that are already paired up and correctly sexed!
They are better really in a tank type cage however I'd check with the breeder for recommendations.
Hope that helps and welcome

[HollyHamster]

Hamsters don't do well with extreme hot or cold.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I agree that the conservatory doesn't sound like a great place for them, ideally you'd be better putting them somewhere with a fairly consistent temperature.

I'd definetly recommend going to a breeder, and I believe most breeders welcome pet owners interested in buying from them (they also don't charge £200 per animal so thats better than the kitten experience for a start lol, most seem to be fairly close to pet shop prices and you have a much better chance of a tame and healthy pet when it comes from a breeder).

Good luck with both your research and your new pets when you get them

[Danul]

Thank you, everyone. That's very helpful and you've put my mind at ease. Will sort out a site for the cage today and then get in contact with pick 'n' mix

[Danul]

Just a quick note to thank everyone for their expertise and advice... my daughter is now the proud carer for two beautiful winter whites, which she has called Raggles and Stanley. They are in a quiet corner inside the house, just off the living room. Particular thanks to lisab at Pick n Mix - just brilliant

[CPalmer]

Brilliant! I'm late to the thread but so happy that you're daughter has a successful time. Tell her that they are amazing names

[BrainGirl]

Congratulations!

[Hekomi]

Congrats!!!