How cute!!

Facts about Syrian Hamsters:

• Syrian Hamsters make a good family pet!

• They are easy to look after!

• With plenty of care and attention, they become very tame!

• They are nocturnal and spend most of the day sleeping but become very active in the evening and at night! (Will not be lonely during the day, when at school/work)

• Happy Alone! (don’t need to pay much money to look after the hamster)

• Live on average for 2 – 2.5 years!

• Male hamsters tend to live longer than females!

• Hamsters can carry half their body weight in their cheek pouches!

• They have four toes on their front feet and five toes on their back feet!

Reasons why:• They are cute!

• They are easy to care for!

• They are entertaining! (fun to watch)

• They are affordable!

• They teach responsibility!

• Not much space is required!

• They can clean themselves! (saves us some time)

• They are safe and fun!

• They are naturally odourless!

• They are low-maintenance!

• They would be a COMPAINSHIP!

Now all the key points have been made!

Why cant we own a Hamster??

Items Needed:• Some bedding

• Wheel

• Food

• Hut/Hidey house

• Treats

• Water bottle and Food dish

• Cage

• Chew toys

These are the main items necessary for the hamster !

The amount that this would roughly cost:

• The hamster from pets at home = £10• Back to Nature small animal bedding (30L) = £17• Colortone hamster bottle by classic = £2• Stainless steel Hamster Dish by rosewood = £2• Harry Hamster complete muesli (700g) = £2• Woodlands Twig mix = £3• Apple drops (75gm) = £2• Small animal exercise ball (small) = £1.50• Woodlands grass house (small) = £0.75• Trio of play balls by woodlands = £4• Woodlands oblong grass nest = £8.50

Hamster cage- pink, 3 storey,3 tier (eBay) = £29.99

Allergies• Hamsters are in the top 10 for being the best pet, for allergy sufferers. Syrian hamsters, the most common pet hamster, are an excellent choice simply because they are generally confined to a small living space. As long as, they do not have constant interaction with the home environment. (If you do have a dander allergy, you still may be allergic to the hamster.)

• The main causes of allergies to hamsters are from their skin (dander) and hair. However this may be due to the bedding in which they live in, as all bedding contains dust and therefore may be the underlying cause of your allergy to hamsters. In which case it may be better to use other types of bedding (like the one, I gave an example on) such as shredded newspaper which doesn't produce dust however it will need to be changed more often than other types of bedding.

• Hamsters are generally not too bad for people with allergies. Long-haired Syrian hamsters tend to affect allergy sufferers more than the short-haired varieties. (this info is from the: http://vectishams.webs.com/gettingahamster.htm website)

General InformationEvery day, you need to check your hamster's food and water supply, top it up as necessary, and remove any stored fresh food. You could add hamster food every 2-3 days to prevent the hamsters only picking out the yummy bits from the mix and leaving all the parts that are good for them but less tasty. Every few days it is a good idea to 'spot clean' by removing any obviously soiled substrate. Your hamster's cage will need cleaning every one to two weeks when everything is removed, the cage and toys are cleaned with pet-safe disinfectant, and fresh bedding and substrate is provided.Hamsters are not complicated to look after: they need regular handling, good food and a safe suitable environment. Providing your hamster with an appropriate environment helps keep him happy and healthy. It can also make it easier to look after your hamster.Before getting the hamster, have the cage set up so he can go straight into it as soon as you get home.  When you first get the hamster, allow him to settle into the cage for 24 hours before starting handling.Substrate is the material covering the base of the cage. This is important in giving the hamster something to burrow and forage in, and in absorbing urine. The cage should have at least a 3-5cm layer at the base, the thicker the better. Newspaper or magazines should not be used in a hamster's cage as the inks can be harmful to the animal. 

MAIN rules/points:• Provide fresh food and water• Provide an appropriate environment  which avoids discomfort to the hamster• A suitable cage for the species which allows ‘growing room’ and stimuli to keep him/her occupied • Protect him/ her from fear and distress e.g. excessive noise, unsupervised young children, other pets etc..

All agree to these points:• I promise to give this hamster a good home.• I accept full responsibility for the care of this hamster and will supply him or her with all that they need throughout their life.• I will never abandon this hamster; should I become unable to keep him or her myself, I promise to find them a good home.

When buying a hamster, check that it is healthy with clean fur, bright eyes and upright ears. Make sure there are no scabs and that there is no sign of diarrhoea. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=obaqtBpxgBM