by Leanne Coffman

Created on: October 10, 2009   Last Updated: November 25, 2009

Are you considering a pet for your child? Hamsters are a great kid-friendly choice. These playful and engaging animals are relatively easy to care for and make a perfect first pet. As a parent, you'll want to teach your child the basics, as well as be certain kids are ready for ownership responsibilities. What are some pointers for kids (and parents) to know about hamster care?

Is your child ready?

Before leaving the pet store armed with a fuzzy new friend, do a mental test of your child's hamster care abilities. While most experts recommend a child be at least six to have their own pet, you can determine readiness by considering the following:

Does the child listen to instructions well?

Is your child old enough to understand serious consequences, such as not feeding or watering an animal?

Is your child demonstrating responsibility?

Does your schedule allow for supervision?

If the answer to all of these is, "Yes", then happily take home the newest member of the family. Be prepared to enjoy him, right along with your child. Brush up a little on the basics of hamster personality and care, so you can guide your child.

What to Know About Hamsters:

Hamsters are nocturnal mammals, most playful at night. This is important to tell your child. Like anyone disturbed from slumber, hamsters aren't happy about being poked and prodded at bedtime. They may nip or bite to show disapproval.

Certain types of hamsters are livelier and not always a suitable choice for young hands. Golden hamsters, the most common pet shop variety, are probably a better kid-friendly option, than wiggly dwarf breeds.

Holding Hamsters:

Teach your child how to pick hamsters up by cupping their hands and letting the hamster walk into them. Children should sit down while holding their hamster. A sudden drop might seriously injure their pet.

Your child should be warned to never corner territorial hamsters. It's better to wait until the hamster's curiosity gets the best of it and will crawl into cupped hands freely. Never squeeze a hamster. Always have children wash hands after handing any pet.

Caring for Hamsters:

Cleaning Duties:

Chose paper or aspen wood shavings, (not pine or cedar which can make hamsters sick). Your child should keep bedding clean, by changing shavings weekly. Hamsters enjoy places to hide, so your child might want to add a cardboard paper towel tube or a small box.

Feeding:

Give daily bowls of hamster food, supplemented with tiny slices of apple or celery. Provide sticks for chewing. Check with the pet shop for a full list of "hamster-friendly" foods.

Water:

Make sure fresh water is provided daily in the form of a hamster sip-bottle. Have your child check to make sure the bottle doesn't leak, as hamsters get sick from wet bedding.

Exercise:

Provide a hamster ball for them to roll around the house, an exercise wheel or interesting cage formation with cubbyholes. Be aware most activity is at night. Place cage in a spot where activity won't disturb family bedtime.

Even though hamster life expectancy is a short few years, they provide miles of pleasure in that time. Your child will learn enhanced responsibility as they care for and befriend their enjoyable pet hamster.

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