Your ideal number of hamsters? - Page 2

sushi_78 · 01-09-2020, 11:01 AM

At the moment I only have space for two big cages/tanks and I always intend to have at least one pair of gerbils, so I can only really have one hamster at a time.

If I had unlimited space I still don't think I would want more than 3 hamsters at a time. Beyond that number I think providing each hamster with daily interaction would start to become a chore, which isn't what I want from a hobby.

Obviously in rescue or breeding situations people often have many more animals, but those are situations that require a lot of personal sacrifice anyway, which not everybody is cut out for.

Engel · 01-09-2020, 12:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LunaTheHamster1

I started with one, then had two, now back to one. I have a chronic illness so my absolute limit is 2 hamsters and so I think it depends on everyones personal circumstances. Personally, I also think that each hamster deserves to have quality time spent with it, so I am sorry if I offend anyone, but when people have loads of hamsters I personally do not understand how they get quality time spent with them. For example, when Luna was young she could be out of her cage for a couple of hours each night, if I had multiple hamsters there is no way I could do that for each of my hamsters. I also wouldn't have the room to do that, safely, with each hamster. I do realise it also depends on the hamsters, older hamsters may need less free roaming time, some hamster may not want to free roam.. so all of these are different factors to take into account.

I want to iterate this is my own personal feelings and appreciate that other people will not agree. Not meant to offend anyone with loads of hamsters.

I doubt that you'll offend anyone. They asked for individual opinions so no need to justify anything. I'm sorry to hear you have a chronic illness, I hope that you have some manageable days.

I know how difficult it can be as I have a chronic illness too. I am thinking of extra enrichment to put in the cage when I have these days. I know it will never replace proper free roam time. My 3 new hams are being left with little physical contact for the next couple of days which gives my joints enough time to recover from the journey hopefully.

I don't know about yours but Niko (who I've had the longest) is a very tame and chill. I would let him free roam but he's a roborovski and to be fair he doesn't like to go far and prefers to sit on my shoulder or just chills on my lap while I'm watching TV. Perfect ham imo hopefully the new ones will take a leaf out of his book

LunaTheHamster1 · 01-09-2020, 01:28 PM

I think Fluffagrams raises a very good point, vet fees. I don't think people realise how these can soon escalate even for our little hamsters. Every single one of my hamsters has been at the vets this last year. Thanks goodness I can afford it.

LunaTheHamster1 · 01-09-2020, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Engel

I doubt that you'll offend anyone. They asked for individual opinions so no need to justify anything. I'm sorry to hear you have a chronic illness, I hope that you have some manageable days.

I know how difficult it can be as I have a chronic illness too. I am thinking of extra enrichment to put in the cage when I have these days. I know it will never replace proper free roam time. My 3 new hams are being left with little physical contact for the next couple of days which gives my joints enough time to recover from the journey hopefully.

I don't know about yours but Niko (who I've had the longest) is a very tame and chill. I would let him free roam but he's a roborovski and to be fair he doesn't like to go far and prefers to sit on my shoulder or just chills on my lap while I'm watching TV. Perfect ham imo hopefully the new ones will take a leaf out of his book

Sorry to hear you have health issues too. Hope you recover soon from the journey.
My hamsters have been crazy female syrians... sit still, what's that!!
In the summer I can use the conservatory and I just lay there when they are free roaming.
Winter is a bit harder, I have a huge plastic box on wheels as a run and a section of cardboard that I can make my bedroom safe with and let them roam. It has to be in a contained space, as I cannot be running around after them as I don't have the energy. So there are ways to make it work.

AmityvilleHams · 01-09-2020, 03:07 PM

I think a great idea for out of cage time for those with limited mobility for whatever reason would be some kind of elevated playpen. Of course, a lot of people would have to have them built for them so it could get expensive - but, it would be something that could make pet ownership much easier for a lot of people and it would be a long term investment.

flowerfairy · 01-10-2020, 11:36 AM

I have 2 atm. A roborovski and a syrian. I have had up to 6 before now. Intend to have 1 or 2 in future. Love robos and love long haired syrians!

Pebbles82 · 01-10-2020, 01:13 PM

Lol Luna - time for a lazy male hamster

. Also I think it’s fine to miss a couple of day’s out of cage time - I find every 2 to 3 days is about right - sometimes they just want to stay in and wash their hair

. It must be hard when you have health conditions but hamsters are quite flexible and forgiving - especially if they have a good sized cage and plenty of enrichment. A nice idea would be to have space for a permanent playpen with a tube running from the cage door you could just attach so they can pop in and out whenever you attach the tube. I don’t think many people have the space for that though. I did once set up a playpen around the cage (which was on the floor) so I could leave the cage door open with a ramp to climb down. It was ok but our ham spent most of the time trying to get out of the playpen!

LunaTheHamster1 · 01-10-2020, 02:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Lol Luna - time for a lazy male hamster

. Also I think it’s fine to miss a couple of day’s out of cage time - I find every 2 to 3 days is about right - sometimes they just want to stay in and wash their hair

. It must be hard when you have health conditions but hamsters are quite flexible and forgiving - especially if they have a good sized cage and plenty of enrichment. A nice idea would be to have space for a permanent playpen with a tube running from the cage door you could just attach so they can pop in and out whenever you attach the tube. I don’t think many people have the space for that though. I did once set up a playpen around the cage (which was on the floor) so I could leave the cage door open with a ramp to climb down. It was ok but our ham spent most of the time trying to get out of the playpen!

Serendipity, oh how I am laughing. Star was meant to be a baby boy, but I went with my heart and took Star, as babies go really quickly at the rescue. Then after Luna passed I was determined to stick to my guns and get a baby/younger male...who did I end up with ? Sunny, a 1- 1.5 year old female.!!!
She was rescued with Star and had been at the rescue for 5 months, I just couldn't leave her there any longer. So, next time.. what am I aiming to get.... who knows... my intentions are a baby/younger male, but time will only tell if that happens. At the moment I am not rushing as I am pretty exhausted after losing Sunny.
Also, point taken re getting them out every night, but I feel guilty if I don't. But Star is old now, so not out for as long as she used to be. I am actually finding getting her out in the morning is working better than at night.
I don't have room to do what you suggest re a run, but in the future I am hoping to have a big enough place to turn a whole room into a hamster area.