Hamsters?

[Kat in Co]

Is this a good or a bad idea? Dd age 10 wants a hamster or other small pet rodent. (I will not allow her to get a pet mouse, "thou shall not have a pet that can escape and breed with the enemy" ) We can afford to buy and keep it, so thats not an issue. We have an abandoned rescue dog that everyone agrees is some sort of terrier mix. His head is very terrier in shape. The groomer, based on his coat, has suggested he may be a soft coated weaten terrier. Hes a good dog, 3 years old. He is very laid back, especially for a terrier, he doesnt even think its necessary to bark at the door! He has twice brought me the head of a rodent that is invading the back yard. Once when we were out for a walk, he found and caught a a baby bird, and when I told him to drop it, he did immediately, and the bird resettled its feathers and walked under a car apparently uninjured. He does nothing that threatens the pet bird we have in a cage in the house. If he wanted to, he could put his paws on the stand that the cage sits on and scare the bird or he could bark at it, but he never does.
All that was to let you know my dog before asking you...is a hamster a bad idea in any house with a terrier, or would he likely be OK? I dont want to terrorize ( or terrierize) the hamster, I would want it to enjoy its life here. Thanks for reading my long winded post!

[KathleenM]

I have had dogs and hamsters at the same time, and never had a problem. One dog was super mellow, and would even let the hamsters walk on him. The other dog was more aggressive, and we had to keep the hamster in a room that he was not allowed in.

I just love hamsters, especailly teddy bears and goldens. They are such sweet, mellow, friendly little guys. We never cease to be amazed that they are not afraid to let the big giants hold them.

[CJ]

We've had a great time with hamsters. Samson just died last month after two wonderful years with my 9yo. We've had 5 other hamsters over the years and no problems with any of them. We did have one get out and our cat tossed him around, but we treated the wounds with antibiotic cream and the hamster recovered just fine.


We are partial to dwarf hamsters or the totally awesome Roborovskis (Phodopus roborovskii) or desert hamster, the smallest of all hamsters. They are so *cute* and love to climb on spoons and slide off them (youtube video).

The internet is full of ideas and tips on caring for them and other foods you can give them.

[CyndiinOKC]

My brother used to call Hamsters "CatSnacks".

In your house I would call the "TerrierSnacks". He has brought you rodent heads already.

Heed the warning.

[Kat in Co]

Cindy yeah, thats what I was afraid of. Youre right, he has given me fair warning and I should heed that. I have been reading about terriers and they were bred to be rodent catchers. No hammies for dd, and no terriersnacks for Benji.
Thanks also to Kathleen and CJ.

[CyndiinOKC]

Yep, we have a dachshund, which is German for Badger Hound. She has a complete come-apart if she even sees/hears badgers on Youtube videos. You can't deny breeding.

[Rachel Jane]

Yep, we have a dachshund, which is German for Badger Hound. She has a complete come-apart if she even sees/hears badgers on Youtube videos. You can't deny breeding.

This cracked me up.
The first time Frazier saw cows on TV, He barked, got his head low and pulled a large half circle trying to herd the TV. Genetics are an amazing thing.

[Kat in Co]

Cindy and RJ

[Rebe]

Hilarious.

What does it mean if your shepherd mix has a thing for buffalo? Driving through a wild animal park where she could see them through the windows, she went absolutely nuts. We're going, "Lucy, what could you possibly do with a buffalo?"

She's also into swallowing chipmunks whole. She was a stray before she was rescued, and I wonder sometimes if that's how she survived on her own.

[Rachel Jane]

Rebe, that depends on what she is mixed with...German Shepherd are technically herding dogs (shepherd), but we have made them much more versatile. I bet she felt she needed to herd them. Genetics can run deep. The German Sheperd's job was to nurture and protect their own. They are still doing it today. As for the chipmunk thing...dogs are predators and chipmunks taste yummy.