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Old 10-07-2020, 06:00 PM   #21
Picket
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
Why are you now a little hesitant to share more?
I feel like I was told everything I had given my hamster was "unsuitable", "extremely inappropriate", that my choice of Carefresh bedding was so bad I should change it immediately, and the 800+ square inch habitat I am building doesn't have enough floor space. This was the first response I received to my first ever post on the board. It didn't feel especially accepting.

While I did ask for advice and guidance, I mostly felt shamed instead.
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Old 10-08-2020, 02:41 AM   #22
Ria P
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Quote:
Originally Posted by Picket View Post
I feel like I was told everything I had given my hamster was "unsuitable", "extremely inappropriate", that my choice of Carefresh bedding was so bad I should change it immediately, and the 800+ square inch habitat I am building doesn't have enough floor space. This was the first response I received to my first ever post on the board. It didn't feel especially accepting.

While I did ask for advice and guidance, I mostly felt shamed instead.
I am very sorry that you feel that way and i'm going to read your first post again. I hope that you will continue to share and post a photo of the habitat you're building. 800+ square inches is a very good size. I don't think my hamsters have that much space. I use Carefresh for a splash of colour and used it before i found out about Kaytee clean and cozy which i prefer plus its more economical. Never had any issues with Carefresh though.
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Old 10-08-2020, 06:46 AM   #23
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Quote:
Originally Posted by Picket View Post
I feel like I was told everything I had given my hamster was "unsuitable", "extremely inappropriate", that my choice of Carefresh bedding was so bad I should change it immediately, and the 800+ square inch habitat I am building doesn't have enough floor space. This was the first response I received to my first ever post on the board. It didn't feel especially accepting.

While I did ask for advice and guidance, I mostly felt shamed instead.
Just had a browse of your thread. I don't think any of the members were shaming or being negative, I think there was an overload of information thrown your way and the positives of your research and plans and current set up as a new owner got lost amongst that. Please don't ever feel that way on HC. We thrive for constructive advice and suggestions in a healthy and safe environment here. Your daughter looks very happy and many new owners don't join a forum for extra advice.

As discussions often go, the thread has derailed slightly to my original intensions- I don't really class forums as social media, I was thinking more IG where it's more image based than discussion.

Some very interesting points raised though and I think the underlying message is that many owners who have done their research know their individual hamster and their own needs and find a fair compromise for them both.

I am quite interested to see a "lived in" large natural tank set up as many of the images I see seem to be after clean outs. I know I have had many hamsters in the past who have upturned the entire cage after cleaning, and why not, it is their space after all
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Old 10-08-2020, 01:50 PM   #24
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Totally agree. I'm my eyes as long as the permenant cage meets the minimum, youre using safe bedding and toys, big enough wheel who cares?

For god's sake Niko started off in a bin cage with mostly cardboard boxes, tubes and multicoloured bits and bobs. In fact he still has those now.

I always recommend the cheapest option for anyone, you can't beat cardboard boxes and tubes.

I'd like to know who spends £20-£30 per month? I'd understand if you have a lot of hamsters or run a rescue but at one point I had 4 hamsters and didn't even spend £10 a month.
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Old 10-08-2020, 03:39 PM   #25
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Quote:
Originally Posted by Picket View Post
I feel like I was told everything I had given my hamster was "unsuitable", "extremely inappropriate", that my choice of Carefresh bedding was so bad I should change it immediately, and the 800+ square inch habitat I am building doesn't have enough floor space. This was the first response I received to my first ever post on the board. It didn't feel especially accepting.

While I did ask for advice and guidance, I mostly felt shamed instead.
So sorry your first post on the forum gave that impression Picket. I have just caught up with your thread - I hadn't seen it before. I think we all need to be more careful when giving advice, not to sound critical.
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Old 10-09-2020, 07:30 AM   #26
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

I personally found it a little bit ironic that the same people recommending 450+ square inches are very happy about plastic bins. A bit confusing.

That said, the Ikea Detolf that a lot of people recommend is about <$60 before shipping right now, though it is quite large and you need a lot of space for it.
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Old 02-09-2021, 05:40 AM   #27
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Hi all,

How is everyone getting on with this topic. Ive noticed far more hamster accounts on IG. I do wonder if it is the lockdown effect?! ?

I am feeling rather old if I'm honest. My sister has a a large following currently and a has set up a small forage business too, it is strange having always been the "hamster" one in the family and for years being mocked or jibed about it. My advice is never publically acknowledged either which is a bit frustrating but I should rise above it.

I do occassionally chime in on a photo with some advice and am finding it increasingly frustrating that as I have no youtube account or make videos or have a large following, my advice is questioned.

I don't feel the need to name drop but many of these accounts throw certain names at me if they have counter views and I am feeling quite disgruntled and old!

Perhaps I better stick to HC eh!
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Old 02-09-2021, 06:24 AM   #28
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Aww bless you Amethyst.

I love the phrase 'keep your eyes on your own Yoga mat'. Helps me a lot.
I also try to lead by example and if people want to follow that's all good and if they don't that's good too.

I do get what you mean though, I was following someone with a guinea pig channel and they had bumble foot and were fighting each other etc and she wouldn't listen to quite a few of us, so I asked Scotty from Scotty Animals to step in as he had a bigger YouTube following and she listened to him.

The other funny thing is I follow someone that doesn't like the information provided on hamster forums (thinks we are outdated and don't back up our advice/claims with research etc). I like her posts, I think they are well researched, I don't necessarily agree with everything she says though. But I just want to say to her I think the forums are great and help so many people and at times when they and their hamsters are in need. Think of how many hamsters out there are having abetter life because of advice given on here.

To be honest, having a large following on social media comes with issues too. You can get bombarded with hate and people questioning everything you do even if what you do is right. I don't think it is ever a win win for everyone.

I like seeing your rat pics, so please don't stop posting them.
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Old 02-09-2021, 06:33 AM   #29
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

Ah I'm fully comfortable in rat world! "ratagram" doesn't seem to have taken off as much as "hamstergram", the only current "trend" in rat world seems to be bio set ups but there doesnt seem to be as much cage showing off or "this is the best way" type pressure in rat world so that doesn't bother me.

I understand people equate a large following to trust and knowledge (however right or wrong those assumptions must be)...but I can't help feel labeled as an old fashioned, out dated hamster owner!

All these accounts will have googled hamster issues and found HC threads so I am glad we exist. I met many friends in HC, some now known over 10 years and haven't met!

Perhaps the social media world is just changing and I can't keep up with the faced paced nature of IG and instant media!

I'll sit back with my cuppa and browse the forum in my dressing gown lol
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Old 02-09-2021, 07:55 AM   #30
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Default Re: Cage/Peer pressure on social media

i think we should start using the phrase ratagram and see if we can get it to take off big time

I think there is a lot of cage showing off in hamstergram. Which is fine, each to their own. But boy some of those cages must be a hassle to clean - or they don't get cleaned (if big enough not a problem) but people that then copy with smaller versions won't necessarily know that.

I did a post the other day about my hamster care just 2-3 years ago v now and I got so much feedback from that. Everyone was like thanks for sharing and being honest. It was a reminder to me to always try and see things from/with a beginners mind. If someone just looked at my hamster cage setup now, they wouldn't know it took me 2-3 years to get to this stage. People forget everyone has to start somewhere, plus not everyone has money to buy every single thing for their hamsters. Which is why I love recycling. You can give your hamster a great life with just recycled products. I am sure my cage care/setup will progress in the next 2-3 years. In my opinion you just can't expect people starting out with hamsters to know everything and have massive fantastical setups straight away.

Sadly large accounts don't equate to good hamster care. But then that's where things go toxic in the hamster world, people will then go after them and that's just going to get peoples backs up and doesn't help the hamsters.

I can't keep up with Tic Tok that's for sure- left that one alone. I went on for about 1 sec and came off. I just plod away on IG and do my own thing
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