Owning a Hamster: Housing and Care
Author: Alison Wood

First off, let's just put the title of this article
straight. As my hamster Molly will tell you, a hamster does
not get owned, it is a very independent creature that will
happily live with you, if you provide it with the ideal
environment and lots of treats. Ok, now we have got that
important matter out of the way, let's continue.

Hamsters really do make great pets for both adults and
children alike. They are easy to handle, being somewhat
slower and with less of a tendency to dart about than other
small rodents such as mice and gerbils. As long as they are
handled from when they are young, hamsters are very
friendly and will happily spend time with their owners.

It is important to have the proper housing, with a cage
that provides plenty of space, with a wheel for exercise
and some opportunity for climbing. Sawdust and bedding
should be cleaned out on at least a weekly basis and fresh
food and water provided daily. Hamster housing really does
come in a variety of forms which ranges from cages, to
modular units right through to stately home affairs. There
is something to suit any budget and if you really want to
go to town, the permutations are endless. Molly has her
abode in a fairly standard cage, however that isn't to say
that I am not tempted by the fabulous housing that I have
seen, and may one day purchase. We'll just keep quiet about
that though for the moment, I don't want to raise Molly's
expectations just yet.

It is also good to have an exercise ball so that your pet
can come out daily and really have an opportunity to go for
a good run, without running any risk of them gnawing
through any cables or furniture. Apart from fresh
vegetables and dry hamster food, which should be the daily
staples, there are also a wide variety of treats available
specifically made for hamsters. These are fairly low priced
at children's pocket money levels.

So if you are being plagued by your child for a pet and
want one that is clean, small and fairly easy to take care
of, with no real need for very much space, then a hamster
is ideal. You don't need a garden, you don't have lots of
long walks to make, and you don't need to break the bank.
Whether you live in a tiny apartment or a mansion it makes
no difference. Child or adult alike can enjoy the company
of this cute animal, and even Molly would agree to that.


About the Author:

Alison Wood shares her tips for living with all different
types of pets over at the aptly named Pet Hooligans. To
find out more about all your favorite little hooligans and
how to increase their health and happiness, take a look at
the website today ==> http://www.pethooligans.com/