New hammy and young children.

[Pompey_Matt]

Hi everyone, it's been a few weeks since we said goodbye to our beloved Beni and the time is now right for us to bring a new hamster into our lives but we have a slight problem in that we promised our four year old niece she could help us pick our next hamster but I'm concerned that it might be better to have a quieter and more peaceful environment for the initial settling in period. This would only be our second hamster so we're a bit inexperienced in this respect but to me it would be a more sensible idea to have a more tranquil setting for what would already be a stressful time for a hamster.

We have yet to get a proper cage as I'm very taken by the Alexander or perhaps the Alaska, but we're looking forward to having a hamster in the house again very soon!

[Millie]

Hey!

So sorry to hear about Beni, may he rest peacefully over rainbow bridge

I've found that hamsters quickly get used to their surroundings, I have two and they are both kept in my lounge and have been since I got them. My lounge is noisy quite often, with the TV, hoover, talking and what not.. So if it's noise you are worried about, they quickly get used to their surroundings and pretty much sleep through it during the day anyway. I think it would only be a problem if your niece was to try and wake them during the day or whilst they are trying to settle. I left my hamsters alone for 3/4 days before having any interactions with them. Maybe if it worries you, you could get the hamster and introduce it to your niece later on when it is more settled

Also, I have alaska cages for both of mine and I can't fault it, great value for money and really big

[SabreRose]

Hi.
As long as you make it clear to your niece that the hamster will be scared and that she can't hold him, I see no reason why she couldn't come with you.

Also, you mentioned thinking of getting the Alexander cage, I got one about a month ago and it's amazing, is would say go for it. You (and more importantly your new hammy) will not be disappointed!!!

Good luck in getttung new hammy

[Pebbles82]

I would also say go for the Alexander cage You won't feel the need to upgrade if you get it and you might feel the need to upgrade if you get the Alaska. The Alexander is a lovely cage and comes with everything you need except a wheel and a few toys (and substrate, food, bowl and water bottle of course). Syrians all seem to really like this cage, particularly the long house. One of the houses has a very small window that Syrians can get stuck in (it has happened) so either that window needs blocking off or that little house taking out.

I think the main thing is that the hamster is left undisturbed in the cage for the first 2 or 3 days (unless it is particularly tame and shows it wants to come out). The placement of the cage isn't quite so important as long as it's not in a draughty place or full sun. Our last cage was in the living room/kitchen and had cooking, TV and all sorts.

They can be a bit scared the first 2 or 3 days and need time to adjust. I'm not quite sure what you mean by a more peaceful setting? Do you mean the four year old niece might be noisy? I think hamsters respond to different voices and recognise them. Ours used to perk up when he heard our then 6 year old's voice. A four year old would need constant supervision for handling a hamster obviously. To tame one can take time and it's hard for little ones to have patience when they want to hold them, but we did bathtub taming with our last one and my stepson used to like getting in the bath (no water) and letting the hamster run all over him during the taming period. Eventually we could pick him up and hold him without him pinging and leaping away. They often don't wake up/come out until children have gone to bed but you can get a hamster in a routine of being woken at say 6pm when putting food out and making a few cage rattling noises at the same time, and get them out then.

One option might be to get a rescue hamster who is already tame

[Pompey_Matt]

Thanks for the advice, I think we'll allow the new hamster to settle in for a bit before our niece gets to meet them, not least because she may well be joined by her sister and brother which all be a bit overwhelming in all probability!

[Pebbles82]

Do keep us updated! Generally they need 2 or 3 days left alone in the cage and a couple of weeks to fully feel at home in the cage, without any clean outs during the first two weeks. They soon get used to family noises But it can take a while to hand tame them so they can be picked up without leaping away.

[Millie]

Do keep us updated I would love to hear how you get on with your new hammy once you get him or her!