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Do Hamsters Make Good Pets?

Many folks have owned small pets, such as hamsters, throughout their childhood years. However, do they make good pets, in general? Maybe you are considering getting one for yourself or your family. Yet if you’re questioning whether or not they make good companions, look no further.

They’re relatively simple

One reason that people tend to like hamsters is because of how they are relatively simple and inexpensive to house and take care of. For example, hamsters are small pets that live within a cage and usually require low upkeep. They don’t require walks outside or having a litter-box scooped. Ease of care is a big reason many folks are quick to take on hamsters as pets.

An added bonus is that they require very little space, which makes them good for apartment living. While you must check with your specific landlord for your specific circumstances, many are more willing to allow a hamster than they are a larger pet like cats or dogs.

However, they’re escape artists

Hamsters are fairly known for escaping their enclosures. Once that occurs, it can be very hard to recover them. What makes things worse is knowing that an escaped hamster is likely in danger, and may not be found before it is hurt. If you are going to take on owning a hamster, make sure you are prepared to keep it contained within its’ enclosure so that traumatic escapes do not occur.

Quiet and clean

An upside to owning hamsters is that they don’t make a lot of noise and they are relatively clean. Basically, they usually toilet in the same corner of their cage which helps to keep any messes contained. Plus, they are nocturnal which means that their most active period is usually at night. This means that while they are fun and entertaining, they don’t take up most of your day.

Unfortunately, they don’t live long

Hamsters have a relatively short lifespan, usually only living up to two years or so. This might be disheartening for someone who’s looking for a pet that lives much longer, in order to sustain a longer bond and more years of fun.

May bite on occasion

Hamsters are small, prey animals and if they feel threatened, they may bite. These bites may be severe on occasion and require antibiotics or other medical attention. Take special care to handle them gently, and do not allow any children to grab them in a rough manner, squeeze them, or shake them around. These things may not only provoke a bite, but they may be dangerous to your hamster’s general well-being.

The decision is personal

At the end of the day, whether or not hamsters make good pets is up to each individual person. What may be right for some folks may not be right for others.