Either people exagerate or I'm lucky.

arfey · 07-30-2015, 11:31 AM

Before adopting two Syrians a couple of weeks ago (they live separately of course), I kind of believed the stuff you generally hear. Hamsters are nocturnal, they aren't that active etc. I've heard so many stories of people who had a hamster that did nothing.

Within two weeks both Syrians are playing in their cages, using their wheels a lot, one doesn't gnaw the bars at all, one does a little, still need to find gnaw blocks she likes. They are very active and like to be up with us in the evening, they come to the edge of the cage when talked to, one can be picked up with no fuss the other will literally crawl onto me.

So are these tales of lazy hamsters just through misinformed owners who haven't researched their hammys needs? Although these are my first hamsters, I previously had 3 sets of gerbils, not all at the same time and passed on now sadly, and now have rats too (a good distance from hammys naturally), and am yet to have a lazy rodent.

I also note an alarming rate of unwanted hammys, possibly because parents think it's a good childs pet, the child just wants to touch the fluffy and gets nipped.

I think I've started ranting a little, and possibly preaching to the converted, but it just seems there should be more pressure on hamster retailers to educate their customers.

Maybe the stories about inactive customers and the belief they are a lower maintenance pet than they actually are (although still quite low maintenance compared to rats, cats or dogs) is to blame.

Perhaps I'm overthinking it, I just feel bad that rodents don't seem to be viewed as important by some. Anyway would love to hear your thoughts and if your involved in any rescue or education of hamsters needs, good on you and keep up the good work.

BluerayDarkes · 07-30-2015, 11:46 AM

When I first kept Syrians I mostly kept males, they all tended to end up being lazy. They would go to sleep on my lap, in a bathrobe pocket, or in their ball rather than running around, the few females that I had were a lot more active in running about. Males tended to run around more when I was in bed.

I now currently have two male dwarf hybrids, one female dwarf hybrid and one female Syrian. Out of all four one male hybrid, the female hybrid and the syrian are all pretty active while the other male is just lazy.

Shannonmcn · 07-30-2015, 02:15 PM

If a hamster has nothing to do then the hamster will probably seem to be doing nothing. A nice enriched cage with plenty of toys should see even a lazy hamster up and about for a forage, a run on the wheel and maybe a quick dig about most nights I think.

You're definitely preaching to the choir here but sure if you can't have a chat/rant about these things here then where can you do it?

Pebbles82 · 07-31-2015, 02:10 AM

We have a lazy male Syrian! He has his moments - usually when I want to go to bed - but between 9pm and 10pm he will just curl up and go to sleep on you like Darkray says. I got him a big guinea pig house and put a tunnel over the front so it was nice and dark inside and his potty tray fits in there too - so that didn't help - he really likes it in there! I think when people say they never see their hamster it's because they don't bother to try and get them out. They can get into a routine of being woken and coming out at some point in the evening. And as Shannon says - they need something to do. Ours is more active in the Summer but a bit of a Dormouse in the winter.

racinghamster · 07-31-2015, 02:25 AM

Hamsters can be different depending on the species, but generally, most do sleep a lot during the day (if allowed to that is) and are generally very active when the lights go out! I`ve always believed that hamsters are not a first choice as a child`s pet purely because of this nocturnal behaviour and the fact that kids are noisy, impulsive and many can`t take `no` for an answer. Hence hamster dangling with clenched teeth to a finger!

Parents fall for the `can I have a hamster` squawks and the poor hammie ends up on gumtree a few months later. To date, I`ve rehomed a male Syrian, a female Chinese hamster, two male robos (ended up separated), a Russian dwarf male, another two single robos and now my Russian hybrid male. Loved having all of them and gave them a second chance at a better life.

I always evaluate every hamster I have and decide whether to rehome another if I lose the one I have, but I usually end up on Gumtree looking for another one. And I`m usually guaranteed to find one because of the number of small animals on there.

But yes, hamsters will sleep a lot or stay hidden if their owner leaves them to do so. Although some do have a wander about during the day! x

Pebbles82 · 08-01-2015, 01:18 AM

I think that can be it sometimes RH - if the hammy doesn't form a bond with the owner or is scared by a lot of noise or something, it might hide more. I would never get one for a child again lol! Unless they are 10 maybe - and are prepared to clean it and take care of it, which helps them interact. Children can be a bit heavy-handed with hammies too. Depends on the child really though. Our little boy was good with Charlie for a while but lost interest and has to be very carefully supervised over handling. He still likes Charlie but doesn't see him that often! He even got a bit jealous of Charlie getting attention lol!

peasypea · 08-01-2015, 02:00 AM

My hamster never stops! She is constantly on the go, she has a huge cage which she makes the most of and she gets let out for a run around our living room too most evenings. She is the kind of hamster that would end up on gumtree if a child had her, she would go nuts in a tiny little cage and needed quite a long while to become properly hand tame. I don't think hamsters are a good pet for children at all, I find her to be quite a big commitment to keep entertained. I see hamsters almost every day on the facebook 'for sale' type groups I'm on, its so sad

Jen250 · 08-01-2015, 02:34 AM

I think most people just don't realize or do the research and assume that hamsters are low maintenance. Pet shops don't help with this. (Though I will say the man who helped me at P@H was very detailed and informed, which I didn't expect.) I think the general view is that hamsters can go into small cages with a wheel and food and be totally fine, and I even kind of thought that until I did loads of research (which was thankfully before I got my own hamster!). You kind of have to be proactive and go in search of the right information, and I just don't think most people do that before dropping into the pet shop to get a hamster.

Personally, I don't find hamsters at all low maintenance. They take time, effort, love, and patience. In fact, I find them much more high maintenance than cats, for example. While both of my cats (RIP Kiki and Kali) were very needy and affection addicts, I didn't have to tame or train them or patiently and gently convince them that I was their friend. And they weren't going to go running into bathroom walls!

BexieID · 08-01-2015, 03:27 PM

Deffo what society leads you to believe. I've had; Hamsters don't do anything, they sleep all the time; they don't need a big cage; it's only a Hamster.

I feel bad that the Ham I had as teen was in a small cage. But am making it right with Fluffy. My kids are 9 and 5. Tom (9) will just stroke Fluffy. Erin on the other hand is animal daft. She has no fear, even after being bitten by Fluffy. But he is so laid back and very tolerant. And is even more so since we were away on hols and my in laws looked after him. Even they enjoyed having him and playing with him. They do have a dog and a canary! Luckily the dog didn't stress Fluffy, but he did come from a home with 3 greyhounds, so maybe that helped.

My only gripe is that we haven't seen him go around in his silent spinner, lol. I've heard him and waited up till almost 2 the other night trying to film him. He stopped everytime, lol. Camera shy!