Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78
It's difficult to answer a few of those questions. Sometimes my answer would be somewhere in the middle of yes and no.
E.g are hamsters good pets for children? My answer would be, it depends. It depends on the age and maturity of the child, on the expectations and involvement of the parents, and on the hamster itself. I've a feeling it's currently considered correct in some hamster groups to just say that children shouldn't have hamsters full stop but I wouldn't agree with that. I know some children who (with the help of their parents) are brilliant hamster owners.
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Yes I also found this. Yes, No or depends would be good with a box under for explanation
I ticked yes - but wanted to say - only if the child is supervised at all times if under aged 10 and only a mature 10 year old or over after reading a welfare book!
Our hamsters have always perked up when my stepson is here and behave differently when he's around - in a better way. They seem to sense the family atmosphere and somehow relate to a child - a safe child! But children can feel nervous handling hamsters and squeeze them too hard - they need constant supervision. In other words the adult has to be prepared to be the carer. And teach a child that a hamster is not a toy.
It can be good for the child and hamster to create a fun interesting set up as long as it's a safe set up. I also adapted a lot of childrens toys for out of cage time in a playpen which both had fun with. (Octonauts Octopod was very popular with the hamster!)