Hello from Essex

[Amanda3266]

Hello all

I am a new member looking for information and advice with regard to buying a hamster.
I kept hamsters as a child and have some very fond memories of them - especially Cuddles who lived for 3 years and was so tame - not a dry eye in the house when she died.

I am now a Mum to a 6 year old who wants to have a pet hamster. I have no problem with this as it would be a good way of helping him experience the responsibilities which come with a pet. We already have a cat (who also wants us to get a hamster ) and my son participates with feeding and caring for her.

Last week we stayed with a friend who has a very tame Syrian hamster and I just fell in love with her - beautiful hamster with a really endearing little personality. I am told that Syrians are best for children but have also been warned not to buy from pet shops as often hamsters have not been handled and are not so easily tamed. How easy is it to find a breeder locally?
All the breeders I can find seem to be from the North and while I love a drive I cannot see a hamster enjoying a 4 hour plus car ride.

So - small ads? Pet shops? what's the general advice with this?

Oh and by the way - any hamster would be well protected from Drusilla my georgous "Norty Tortie" cat.

Thanks

Amanda

[Emmurz]

Welcome to the forums!
If it's both you and your child who are wanting to handle the pet hammy then i'd reccomend a Syrian.
I recently bought a hamster who was 9 weeks old from Pets@Home. Now some people have had some bad experiences when buying from this store as the poor little hams usually get wet tail.
However with a bit of patience and love you can easily tame them up to be lovely cuddly little furballs.
Ive had my Chomp since good friday and already in the space of less than a week I can handle him.
However if you'd like something that you know will definately be slightly tame if not completely when you buy him/her then i'd say go for a breeder.
I trust since you've owned a hamster before you know about suitable cages, food etc?

As for advice on where to buy from, It doesnt really matter, just be sure to choose the hamster that looks the healthiest and the most active, the youngest and I'd suggest getting a boy as they're usually easier to handle as the girlies since the tend to bite less.

If you have any more questions then feel free to ask, i'll help you in the best way I can and i'm sure the other members will too!

[Emmurz]

Also as for the difficulty of finding a local breeder, if you cannot find one then you could set up your little hams cage before setting out on the journey so he or she could sleep the way home, my little chomp had a 2 hour+ car ride the other day and he didn't even come out! The little fella slept the whole way there!
Of course this is if you dont mind driving such a long way, but if you do i'm sure you'll feel it'll be all worth it in the end!

[souffle]

Hello and welcome.
Glad to hear you are doing your homework before getting your hammy. I would suggest you contact Sue who is secretary of the Midland Hamster Club and ask her for details of your closest breeder. I really would try and get a breeder hamster who has been handled as they are a lot easier for youngsters and they get more enjoyment from their new pet. Molly and Emma at Alphabet Hamstery may have some babies and are not too far off in Swindon.
Hamsters do travel very well and I am sure there would be no problems with a few hours driving in a travel box. One of our babies just went 5 hrs up to Scotland and slept all the way. It really is worth the effort for a tame and healthy pet for a child. If you cannot get to a breeder then next best is to look on Freeads for people with home reared babies. Some pets shops get babies from Hobby breeders and you should ask before buying if you go down that route.
Good luck in your search.

[Amanda3266]

Many thanks for your replies. I have e-mailed Alphabet Hamstery to see if they have any babies at the moment. I did look in Pets at Home today but the hamsters were sleeping (thankfully NOT being harrassed) so don't know what they have.

[Amanda3266]

... and we are getting a baby hamster in about 9 weeks time. I will be explaining to my little boy that waiting will mean a happier hamster who has been handled and is not stressed by humans.

Having loved hamsters as a child I am actually quite excited about having one as an adult.

Will be buying a cage and all the bits at the end of the month.

[Emmurz]

Originally Posted by Amanda3266

... and we are getting a baby hamster in about 9 weeks time. I will be explaining to my little boy that waiting will mean a happier hamster who has been handled and is not stressed by humans.

Having loved hamsters as a child I am actually quite excited about having one as an adult.

Will be buying a cage and all the bits at the end of the month.

Thats wonderful!
Are you getting a Syrian?
I think for both you and your little boy a hammy that's been handled from a very young age will be better.
I'll look forward to hearing about the little ham.

[souffle]

Fab news Amanda.
Are you getting one from Alphabet?
We have Alliana here from them and she is a super girl and mum to our latest litter. Very placid, calm and so cute

[Amanda3266]

Originally Posted by souffle

Fab news Amanda.
Are you getting one from Alphabet?
We have Alliana here from them and she is a super girl and mum to our latest litter. Very placid, calm and so cute

Yes - from Alphabet - it's a bit of a drive but will be worth it for a happy hamster who has been cared for and loved from birth. My little boy is very excited - I have explained to him why we will wait instead of just buying a hamster from a pet shop and he is happy. In the meantime we are having some fun in looking at hamster homes. I have saved so that we can choose a good sized home for our new baby when he/she arrives.

[Emmurz]

Originally Posted by Amanda3266

Yes - from Alphabet - it's a bit of a drive but will be worth it for a happy hamster who has been cared for and loved from birth. My little boy is very excited - I have explained to him why we will wait instead of just buying a hamster from a pet shop and he is happy. In the meantime we are having some fun in looking at hamster homes. I have saved so that we can choose a good sized home for our new baby when he/she arrives.

I know you will be pleased when your little ham has entered this world (:
I'm glad that your little boy is patient from knowing that I can already tell he will make a great friend to your hammy.
Any ideas on what sort of cages you would like? There is always the review section if you'd like some ideas, gosh I sound like a mod, I hope no one minds!
You thought of any names yet? Or are you gonna leave it till you know his/her colour etc?