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Old 07-20-2017, 01:33 AM   #1
Star_girl
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Default Hi, I'm new!

Hi,

I'm Lucy, I'm 30, married and have a 5 year old son and 2 year old labrador and we live near Bristol!

We're looking to get a hamster in the near future!
When we looked into getting a puppy we joined forums, read books, spoke to lots of people, researched the best breeder... So getting a hamster for us is the the same!
My husband had a hamster growing up but other than that we are fairly new to this.

Please can I have recommendations on the best hamster book? Thank you!

One thing that I'm not sure about is the dog and hamster situation. I've read quite a few things lately about how the hamster cage should be in a different room and how awful things can happen if a dog barks and the hamster gets scared.
Our dog has free range of the house, there's not many rooms sure doesn't go into. She has a secure pen in the living room but she still is allowed to be almost everywhere in the house.
We have a large living room that used to be a living room and dining room but was knocked through by the landlord, so I'm not sure how we could keep them separate like that... I'd rather not have the hamster in a room upstairs as we don't go up there much so it would be pointless.
I may have to ask this in a different forum category but I just wanted to mention it here.

Sorry for the ramble, and thanks for reading!

Lucy
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Old 07-24-2017, 02:22 AM   #2
Thin Lizzy
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hi Lucy and welcome to HC.
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Old 07-24-2017, 03:07 AM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hi Lucy, welcome to HC

There aren't many good hamster books tbh, those that there are can be hard to get hold of, the most popular & reliable one is Hamster lopaedia some of the info is a bit dated now but it's still worth having.

Ideally you do want your ham to be in a room where your dog can't go, it's not just barking but scent which can be stressful for them but maybe some of the dog owners here will be able to tell you how they manage having both.
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Old 07-24-2017, 03:15 AM   #4
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

It's a very simple and straightforward answer,the hamster and dog absolutely must be kept separate and under no circumstances should they ever be allowed in the same room It's not just for the hamster's sake though,as it can be quite cruel to the dogs as well(who are natural predatory carnivores,even if some people would assume their dogs are innocent creatures who would never hurt a fly!).

Ultimately you might have to make the small sacrifice of keeping the hamster upstairs if necessary,as having its own predator free room is extremely important.
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Old 07-24-2017, 03:32 AM   #5
flowerfairy
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

I have three of my hamsters in my bedroom and the dogs are only allowed in there when I am. They take absolutely no notice of the hamsters and I have not noticed any signs of stress from the hamsters either.

I have my other six (one set of three and two singles) downstairs in the dining room. The dogs are not allowed in there cos there are also two guinea pigs in an open topped c and c cage. The dogs bark at the front door which is just by the dining room but all the hamsters seem fine with it.

Good luck with your new hamster and welcome to the forum.

ps Zooplus for great cages. Alaxander (my fave), barney and alaska. I have all of them and like them for different reasons.
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Old 07-24-2017, 04:07 AM   #6
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hello and welcome to HC
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Old 07-24-2017, 04:40 AM   #7
AprilPearl
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hello! Welcome it's honestly so great to hear that you are doing your research before diving in and getting a hamster as so many people don't bother.

Thought this might be useful in helping you find a breeder near you if you haven't decided on one already:
https://hamsters-uk.org/content/view/108/85/

You could also go to a show as breeders often sell pups there:
https://hamsters-uk.org/content/view/106/84/

I second the Hamsterlopeadia recommendation. I got it before buying my first hamster (all those years ago!) and I still refer back to it now, though I must have read it from cover to cover hundreds of times. Some information in there is a bit dated, but it's generally all good stuff. This forum is also a brilliant resource.

What you've read is correct - the hamster should be in a separate room which the dog cannot access. This is not only because of the dangers the dog might pose in jumping up at the cage etc, or even the obvious issue of barking, but because the scent of a predator can make small animals live in a state of constant low level stress which is not necessarily detectable to you but which can be harmful in the long term, especially to hamsters which are prone to stress caused illnesses. Personally, I have my hamster in a small room upstairs which is not really used for anything else because I don't want my two cats getting to him. I don't go in there except to see my hamster! But, I don't feel that I'm missing out as he is asleep most of the day. You'll get used to going into a separate room in the evenings to see your new ham. I keep the door to the hamster room shut, even when the cage door is closed and I am inside the room, to stop the cats getting in. You might find it helpful to make a sign and stick it onto the door of the hamster room reminding people to keep the door shut. We have one which simply says "Hamster room - No cats allowed! KEEP DOOR SHUT!". That way, you hopefully shouldn't have any unfortunate accidents.

Looking forward to meeting your new guy/girl when you get him/her!
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:09 AM   #8
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hello and Welcome to Hamster Central
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Old 07-24-2017, 07:18 AM   #9
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hi & Welcome, look forward to updates. This forum could be one big book by searching the forum under any section you choose. More up to date info
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Old 07-24-2017, 03:32 PM   #10
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Default Re: Hi, I'm new!

Hi and welcome to HC. I am looking forward to seeing you around on the forum and getting to know your hammy whenever you get them and they are settled in more. I agree with all of the other members' comments. If you have any specific questions, please always feel free to ask because we are all here to help one another out. Good luck finding your new hammy and have fun. Eros waves her paw to you all.
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