Are Pet Hamsters Good Pets For Small Children?

NO.

Let's face it. If you've ever owned a hamster you already know that they are "cute" but unfriendly. Grouchy, even.

Responsible pet shops in the UK advise that pet hamsters are only suitable for children age 8 and over.

Hamsters just aren't tolerant of rough handling, they do have a propensity to bite. They easily escape and can be hard to find having snuck off. They can't cope with falls. They are nocturnal whereas most children under 6 sleep long hours, mostly at night.

Better rodent pets for children under 8 years old are rats and guinea pigs. Guinea pigs are diurnal: awake when we are. They can take a lot of effort to socialise to being calm around people, but they almost never bite or scratch, and are large enough to take some slightly rough treatment. However guinea pigs cannot handle falls of more than about 4 inches.

Rats are naturally inquisitive, fairly tolerant, and can cope with being dropped. Although nocturnal in the wild, pet rats adjust to the family hours. A rat, if well socialised, likes people, can learn its name and will come when called. It can even be taught to do simple tricks. But rats have a risk of biting if handled roughly too often.

With rats or guinea pigs some supervision of children under 6 handling these animals is therefore still required.

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I got my cousin a hamster when he was about 4. I bought the little ball for it to roll around in the house so he could watch it and play with it. The thing bit me when i tried to touch it. So i can vouch they are the nicest animal. His parents ended up giving it to another family member who had a kid that was about 10. When my cousin got a little older they said he wanted another one.

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