I'm an old newbie

NanaBeaver · 10-04-2022, 06:59 AM

Hi, I am 73 and this year I bought a hamster for the first time. As a child I had hamsters but now I know I did all the wrong things,

this time I want to be sure my Coco is happy and well cared for.
I got her in March when she was about 8 weeks old, she is now fully grown and even for a syrian female she is big! She is blonde and adorable. She doesn't like to be handled but she does allow me to cuddle and stroke her for a few minutes each evening when she has woken up.

I have had three cages, the first one was way too small and she started bar chewing. The second one was quite good, 800 sq inches of floor space but still she was bar chewing from habit, so now I have an Ikea Detolf and she seems much happier.

She is great company in the evenings and when I get up for a pee in the night (as old ladies do), there she is to have a chat to. I spoil her with lots of toys and tons of substrate to burrow in.

cloudy · 10-04-2022, 07:09 AM

Hello NanaBeaver. It is so lovely to read your post about Coco. I love that you chat to her when you wake in the night.

Ria P · 10-04-2022, 07:29 AM

Hello from another oldie (i'm nearing 65). I had no idea that hamsters are such captivating little creature. It really took me by surprise. What i love about our age is the fact that we are slowing down ourselves and value time more, especially the time spent with our hamsters. Your Coco is a very lucky girl.

Ria P · 10-04-2022, 07:33 AM

For some reason unknown to me i can't reply to your other thread. I don't know if you do social media, i don't, but if you do you can advertise your cage on fb market place. Gumtree, freeads, preloved and freecycle are more sites to try or contact a rescue and offer to donate it.

NanaBeaver · 10-04-2022, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ria P

Hello from another oldie (i'm nearing 65). I had no idea that hamsters are such captivating little creature. It really took me by surprise. What i love about our age is the fact that we are slowing down ourselves and value time more, especially the time spent with our hamsters. Your Coco is a very lucky girl.

Yes, I do believe that hamsters are the ideal pet for the older generation. They aren't toys but lovely creatures who demand only care and love. And don't they all have adorable little faces? They are funny and mischieivous but can be forgiven anything. ( you should see my carpet!) I love Coco to bits and I'm so glad I joined this forum.

Stanza · 10-04-2022, 01:21 PM

Hello Nanabeaver, welcome to the forum. I joined after buying a hamster for my daughter and the wealth of knowledge on here has been fantastic! Our hamster definitely has a more enriched cage, varied diet and fun times out roaming from all the tips I’ve picked up here. Look forward to hearing all about Coco, she sounds great, so sweet you have your little chats in the night

flowerfairy · 10-05-2022, 02:14 AM

Good to see another older hamster connoisseur on here. I am 61 and have had hamsters as a child, briefly in my 20s and again now.

I had six at one point (2015) which was quite something. Just one roborovski atm but adopting a male syrian very soon.

NanaBeaver · 10-06-2022, 04:43 AM

I only have room for one hamster in a Detolf as I live in a bedsit. But she is a special friend to me.

Pebbles82 · 10-06-2022, 05:12 AM

Hello and welcome! They are great pets aren't they?! Also in my sixties

Looking forward to seeing photos of Coco. Taming can evolve gradually. Some hamsters never really do like being handled but they learn to trust you which is important, and bond with you. I find they get a bit more mellow after age 1 and accept more!