Taking on older hamsters?

fluffymunchkins · 02-25-2011, 11:55 AM

I'm sure a few of you have rescued or rehomed older hamsters. But i was wondering what your experiences were with it?

I know I get extremely attached to my hamsters and i want to have as long as I can with them. Porridge was only about 5 months old when I rehomed him. But I love to rehome any hamster in need and I don't think they deserved to be ignored just for being older. But I worry about them finding it stressful or difficult to settle?

I ask as hamsters I've spotted online are often 1 year old +

Thankyou x

wofunny · 02-25-2011, 12:05 PM

This thread would be helpful to me too, as i was thinking about rehoming an older ham in the future

shazzy · 02-25-2011, 12:20 PM

Daisy was a year old - old but not terribly. I just let her settle for a couple of days but to be honest she was gagging for the attention because she hadn't had it at her old home.

I was sad for her being bored in a small cage for a whole year, but so glad I was able to give her a much better home. It's such a lovely feeling seeing them thrive.

Go for it!

debs · 02-25-2011, 12:26 PM

monster was 8months when i got her i know its not old but hammies about a year, i think you should go for it

.

vicky1804 · 02-25-2011, 12:30 PM

My hammy iv just taken on is around 12 months but certainly doesnt look/act it.
Im always worried about how long I have with pets but given i only had 8 months with Kit who was bought as a baby i figured why not, all deserve a home

princess-rhi89 · 02-25-2011, 12:38 PM

Well Im looking after Kizzi who is 2 years old, I already love him to bits, I love to see him thrive, before he couldnt have ant out time, now he has plenty and special treats and cuddles, Id def go for it hun xxx

SnickersTheFirst · 02-25-2011, 12:45 PM

I haven't had any experience myself but I'd love to adopt an older ham in the future as they seem to get overlooked and people go for cute baby hams. The only thing I'm worried about is becoming too attached knowing that their lifespan has already been shortened.

fluffymunchkins · 02-25-2011, 01:24 PM

Thankyou everyone

I will have a think about it, hopefully my mum will come round and let me take on another!

Dora · 02-25-2011, 01:35 PM

hiya fm as you know speckles was a rehomed older hammy of 18 months and not in a very good condition when arrived. unfortunately she only had 2 weeks here with us

i guess larger picture would be would you be able to possibily need to pay out for vet treatment to a extra addition? i had speckles 2 days and then we were at vets.

although only a short period of time she opened my eyes to alot she was a lovely old gil and a wee fighter but wanted to play at the bridge at the end.

any hammy who had a home with you would be very special and have a wonderful life may it be from older or a baby hamster.

good luck x

purple_x · 02-25-2011, 02:19 PM

I've had older rescue hamsters before and I always feel better taking the older ones as I know they are harder to rehome.

The most recent ones I had were 2 females that were about 1 1/2 years old, that was a couple of years ago, I had both for nearly a year.

Then I got a robo from the rspca, he was over 2 years old and I only had him 4 months but he was such a little character and I'm glad I took him otherwise he may have died while still in a rescue centre

And lastly we had little Max, he was a syrian that was advertised on a free-ads site, he was over 2 and looked his age! We had him just over 3 months and then he passed away.

Taking on older rescues is great and I very much recommend it!