Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 10-02-2019, 12:43 PM   #1
hollyblossom
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Default Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Hi! I'm new to the forum, though I have a 9-month-old Syrian called Waffle.

She lives in the "Large" Pets at Home cage (something like 60 x 40cm) and when I just got her, I genuinely thought this cage was quite big (compared to all the other ones I saw). But then I did more research and found out that Waffle (especially since she's a female Syrian) needs much more space, though my parents disagreed and (I'm directing quoting them) said that 'hamsters have no brain' and 'she understands absolutely nothing'. This really upset me because little Waffle is the cutest hammie with such a sweet personality, and she deserves much better. So I went ahead and ordered the Savic Plaza (100 x 50 cm) online for her - granted, it wasn't the best choice to go behind my parents' back but they would never allow me to upgrade and I couldn't bear the thought of Waffle forever living in her current cage.

I told them this evening that I ordered a new cage, and they were extremely angry and pretty much said that hamsters aren't worth spending money on (it was my own money I bought the cage with). I'm extremely upset at their attitude towards my pet, and they know how much my hammie means to me. We have the space and the money for the cage, the only issue is that my parents see no value in her.

I really don't know how to handle this. I've quoted studies, made Powerpoints, etc. but they still seem to think that hamsters only eat and sleep.
It's so frustrating that they won't educate themselves on proper pet care, nor will they listen to me. Has anyone else gone through something similar?
hollyblossom is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 12:41 PM   #2
RJS
Hamster Pup
 
RJS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2018
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 96
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Hi Hollyblossom .. as I'm an old fart who is probably older than your parents I have little advice to offer. But I did want to commend you on your gumption to stick up for what is right. Hang in there .. I'm sure Waffle will appreciate it even if your parents don't!
RJS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 01:17 PM   #3
Ria P
House of Hamsters
 
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Wiltshire, UK
Posts: 7,103
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Hi and welcome!

I'm pretty sure that i'm old enough to be your granny and in a way understand the ignorance or disinterest rather regarding hamsters amongst the older generation.
They simply don't know any better and hamsters must be the most underrated and underappreciated pet around.
I didn't know any better when i was young in the 60's and hamsters lived in tiny cages to get played with when it suited the humans not the hamsters.
Even fairly recently, when i got my first hamster, i bought the pets@home xl cage in good faith believing that i had purchased a really big cage. You are not alone.

You know the true value, beauty and charm of these little creatures and now you are amongst people who share this enthusiasm. Now you can talk hamster and people will understand what you're on about.

Don't feel bad about your parents because they don't take the time to find out what hamsters are all about, not everyone likes rodents or snakes or tarantulas etc.

Enjoy your hamster, share your stories and we would love to see a photo of Waffle. Waffle will absolutely love the Savic Plaza. She's a lucky hamster to have you as a friend.
Ria P is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 02:16 PM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
Cosmic Hamsters
 
LunaTheHamster1's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 2,593
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Well done you, especially as sometimes it is so hard to go against what our parents believe. I say this as a woman in her 40's!!!!! I know it can't be easy for you right now, but know that you have done the very best you can for your hamster, even going against what your parents believe in, that just shows courage in what you believe in.

Obviously as I am an adult and have my own place I have not had to go through what you have, but I know my friends and family think I am nuts for having cages the size of 100 x 50cm (I too have the Savic Plaza) They call it hamster disney land and in all honesty one day I would love to have 2 cages even bigger, I can only imagine what the comments would be then Well done for sticking to your beliefs, I hope your parents anger dies down soon. I know these situations aren't nice to experience. Just also know that not everyone thinks the same, so don't be too hard on your parents either, if they don't get it they don't get it.
__________________
Cosmic Hamsters YouTube Channel
LunaTheHamster1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 02:23 PM   #5
flowerfairy
Fluffy Hamsters
 
flowerfairy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Hampshire
Posts: 4,231
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

My Mother always thought me rather eccentric for keeping hamsters (and other small pets). I am in my 50s and was a carer for my Mother, living with her and all my pets.

She could appreciate their sweetness but didnt really value them in the way that she valued dogs and cats.

It takes all sorts.

Lucky Waffle to have such a caring owner who is willing to learn.
__________________
flowerfairy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 05:02 PM   #6
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

I am so sorry they are angry. But agree - well done. Stand your ground, stay calm and just keep repeating - it is animal welfare. And - I don't wish to argue but have done my research - it is my responsibility and I want to do things properly. Surely they can't argue with that. But sometimes you have to wait for people to cool off. They will see the difference in your hamster when she has settled into the cage. If you need any tips on setting up, or ideas, a few people have that cage .
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 07:37 PM   #7
10Minutes
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Posts: 187
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Hi Hollyblossom, welcome to the forum.

I'm sorry to hear about your parents and understand you have tried your best. Please try to avoid arguing with them or being too upset with them, because they just have a different viewpoint and they may not be able to understand.

Serendipity has a good line of reasoning that you can use, do emphasise to your parents that you wish to learn and take up responsibilities. They can think of it as a good avenue for you to shape your character to be a more responsible person, and you may try to explain it is a form of entertainment for you, much like how people splurge on clothes/makeup/movies/food. The money is well spent as it is money for your wellbeing (it makes you happy and it also motivates you to earn more, and it helps you to learn how to manage your finances and manage the care of a little creature etc.) I'm sure your parents care about you, so focus your reasons on YOU and what she does for YOU, instead of what you can do for her.

Of course, in reality we focus on what we can do for our hamsters instead of the other way round, but you may need to resort to such arguments to convince your parents to let you do as you wish.

My husband said something to me that really struck me very, very deeply. "It's a life". However small she may be, she is still a life. So kudos for making a difference to another life. Plus, they are in fact very intelligent creatures with their own feelings and thoughts. They have very strong, distinctive personalities! I feel that it is absolutely cruel if someone is aware about the feelings and needs of their pet but does not provide for them although they are able to.

Of course, I don't think your parents are cruel, it's just that they are unaware. Again, just try to avoid conflict with them, but at the same time, stay firm and work subtly on getting them to understand.

And you are not cruel either because you really have tried your best but sometimes, you are just not able to, because your parents don't understand her needs.

I've heard of people training their hamsters to do tricks like stand on command, etc. Maybe you could watch Youtube videos and try to train her, then your parents will realise she does have a brain, enough to understand commands.

Last edited by 10Minutes; 10-03-2019 at 07:42 PM.
10Minutes is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2019, 11:25 PM   #8
AprilPearl
Hamster Hugger
 
Join Date: Apr 2017
Location: London
Posts: 2,327
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

They might come around. At first my mum didn’t understand why hamsters would need a cage larger than the tiny things you get in pet shops. She went so far as to tell me not to buy a bigger cage (I also had the large P@H cage at the time). She was also quite angry when I went ahead and purchased a larger cage anyway - at the time she considered it a waste of money and space.

But, I shared information that I had found on the forum with her and now she agrees so whole heartedly that she was appalled to see the class hamster at the school she works for in a tiny cage and insisted that the hamster be rehoused in my spare Alaska hamster cage complete with a silent runner hamster wheel.

Oh and good choice on the Slavic Plaza. My current hamster also lives in that cage and it’s great.
__________________
Over the Rainbow:
Alfie, Kevin, Pip, Jordy, Scamp, Sooty, Mushu, Quigley
AprilPearl is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-04-2019, 04:13 PM   #9
Osboz
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 3
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

If you think your parents might be genuinely open to being shown that hamsters do more than just eat and sleep, maybe try looking for videos that show a hamster's full range of behaviour. People don't like to be wrong so something short that doesn't require too much patience might help. The real trick is to get them to fall in love with the hamster.

Otherwise, if they don't want to believe hamsters matter, you could try reminding them that it matters to you even if they don't believe it matters to your hamster. They don't have to believe the hamster cares, they just have to believe you do. If you had a hobby that sounded no fun to them, would they try to tell you it's a waste of time or do what they could to help you enjoy it?
Osboz is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2019, 07:28 AM   #10
hollyblossom
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Posts: 2
Default Re: Parents upset that I got new cage for hamster

Thanks everyone for your help, really appreciate it. I've just set up Waffle's new cage and she is exploring it right now - plus the base is much deeper so now she can burrow!
I think my parents might be coming round a bit, so hopefully they'll realize how much better this is for Waffle Thanks again!
hollyblossom is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
cage, waffle, parents, money, hamsters, upset, ordered, space, hammie, extremely, syrian, pet, thought, bear, forever, upgrade, worth, spending, told, angry, evening, current, bought, living, attitude

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 05:24 AM.