Some Newbie, Potential Hamster-Homing, Questions

Molly_Moo · 11-10-2015, 01:31 PM

Hi everyone! I'm hoping to home my first hamster in years soon, but I have a couple of questions to ask of you guys (if you can help of course).

Firstly, do you know of any reputable Syrian breeders/rescues in Kent? I've emailed the Southern Hamster Club to request a list, and I've also reached out to Austin's Hamster Haven as they don't mind travelling to new homes. If you also know of any breeders or rescues that don't mind driving to me in Rochester as I don't drive myself, that would also be amazing.

My second question, and probably most important, is if you know of a rescue that might allow me to look after a hamster for a weekend or longer, to see if my boyfriend has a reaction? We babysat 2 rats over the weekend and he had a chesty and foggy-headed reaction to them. I am hoping that one little hammy, that's well cleaned, and kept in a larger plastic cage (I was looking at the Ferplast Maxi Duna Multy) might not spread as many allergens, but that could be my wishful thinking. Also, I know hammies are prone to stress and I understand if that kind of babysitting isn't appropriate for them.

I'm desperate for a gorgeous little hamster to spoil, I just need to convince/show my boyfriend that he'll be fine with one.

Thanks in advance everyone!

Molly x

Bertiebobbins · 11-12-2015, 06:21 AM

Honestly I'd be surprised if someone would lend you their hamster, they're not good with change generally.

Are you sure he reacted to the rat? Maybe it was their bedding or substrate?

Molly_Moo · 11-12-2015, 06:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertiebobbins

Honestly I'd be surprised if someone would lend you their hamster, they're not good with change generally.

Are you sure he reacted to the rat? Maybe it was their bedding or substrate?

That's what I thought too.

I'm pretty sure, because the substrate was just shredded cardboard. The urine was quite potent in the cage, I assumed it could've been that?

Tildauk · 11-12-2015, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Molly_Moo

Austin's Hamster Haven

I recently got a hamster from this rescue and they (and their hamsters) are utterly amazing.

I would have thought it was more likely to be the bedding too but even if it wasn't being allergic to a rat isn't the same as being allergic to a hamster anyway.

Molly_Moo · 11-12-2015, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tildauk

I recently got a hamster from this rescue and they (and their hamsters) are utterly amazing.

I would have thought it was more likely to be the bedding too but even if it wasn't being allergic to a rat isn't the same as being allergic to a hamster anyway.

I've spoken to that rescue, she said I'm a little too far from her, but I would love to rehome one from her. I've heard excellent things about them, and how much she does for them.

I've heard that hamsters tend to be better allergy-wise, so I'm really hoping he won't have a reaction to them. I just have a bad feeling that because he has allergies to Cats, dogs, and now rats, that he's going to have some kind of reaction to a hamster too

flowerfairy · 11-12-2015, 08:17 AM

My friend has a reaction to rats but is fine with hamsters. She is ok with cats as well so it may not be the same for your boyfriend. Hope it is though.

Molly_Moo · 11-12-2015, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flowerfairy

My friend has a reaction to rats but is fine with hamsters. She is ok with cats as well so it may not be the same for your boyfriend. Hope it is though.

Thank you! I'm just hoping that it means he might not be allergic to them even if he is allergic to rats. I need one in my life!

Bertiebobbins · 11-12-2015, 08:28 AM

Allergies are so unpredictable. I'm allergic to lots of things - I'm not allergic to cats but cats make me sneeze, and I'm apparently mortally allergic to dogs and never had a problem with them!

I think you should ask your boyfriend if he would put up with potentially being allergic to a hamster before you get one and let that guide you. You don't want to be in the position where you have to urgently rehome a ham.

Molly_Moo · 11-12-2015, 08:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bertiebobbins

Allergies are so unpredictable. I'm allergic to lots of things - I'm not allergic to cats but cats make me sneeze, and I'm apparently mortally allergic to dogs and never had a problem with them!

I think you should ask your boyfriend if he would put up with potentially being allergic to a hamster before you get one and let that guide you. You don't want to be in the position where you have to urgently rehome a ham.

They really are, it's one of the reasons I'm so nervous. He also has asthma too, so I don't think I could risk just getting one and hoping for the best, especially if he was somehow deathly allergic!

I'll speak to him about whether we have to try living with one, or if just handling one for a while might be enough of a test. It probably sounds terrible, but not having a furry pet to look after has really taken a toll on me, I'll be pretty devastated if I can't get one little hamster to spoil

herbi7 · 11-12-2015, 02:56 PM

Maybe he could stay over at someone's who has a hamster and try handling it and breathing close to the bedding or something to be absolutely sure. I think the type of bedding is going to be important, I'm allergic to random things, I'm fine with pine woodshavings if they have been aired for a bit, aspen makes me sneeze and so does aubiose but I think that may be high dust content of the last two. But I'm allergic to recycled paper cat litter and I've no idea why that is. I'm best with fitch. My friend's nephew has bad asthma and managed to keep gerbils despite that but it did affect him and made things harder for him. Do you have a garden? Maybe a bunny or guinea pigs would work if nothing else does as you could keep them outside. Or if he does turn out to be allergic to the hamster, keeping it in a room which is shut away form the rest of the house with an air purifier, I find those really effective with allergies.