To get a hamster, you must be determined first and then come up with a full-proof plan to convince your parents.
Convincing your parents won’t be challenging if you can make them understand that hamsters are great pets; they need only a small space, are low-maintenance, and don’t shed on the couch.
So, how to convince your parents to get a hamster? You need to do it with lots of research, and preparation. Once you learn as much as possible about hamsters and are ready to answer your parents’ questions, prepare your presentation explaining why hamsters are perfect pets and how you would make a great hamster owner.
Keep reading this article to get more tips on getting your parents on board for a hamster mission.
How to Convince Your Parents to Get a Hamster?
To make your case strong and get your hamster mission successful, follow the below steps and tips.
Step 1: Study Hamsters and Their Habits
- You should find out what hamsters eat, what cage is a suitable size, how their habitat should be, what they like to do, where to buy them, and other relevant information. You will get a lot of information online.
You should look into several sources but make sure the sources are reliable such as RSPCA.
- If any of your friends have a hamster, ask for their advice and thoughts on getting a hamster.
- You can collect information on hamster costs, what type of food they eat, what they like to play with, and so on from local pet stores.
Did you know keeping Hamsters is illegal in Hawaii and Australia? So if you live there, you should consider other pet options.
Step 2: Decide What Types of Hamster You Want
Among many hamster species, there are five most popular species that people love to keep as pets. They are Campbell’s, Syrian, Winter White, Chinese, and Roborovski hamsters.
Roboroski, Winter White, and Campbell’s are dwarf hamsters; their length range is between 3 to 5 inches, while Syrian hamsters are larger, growing up to 5 to 9 inches.
Roboroski has the longest lifespan and can live up to 4 years. On the other hand, the remaining four species of hamster live around 2 to 3 years.
So see which hamster attracts you and is suitable for you to handle.
Step 3: If you Have A Cat, Rethink Your new Pet Wish
It’s very important to learn about hamster cohabitation. If you have a pet, especially a cat or a dog, it might try to eat your hamster. You either need to think of getting another pet or find a separate room where other pets can’t access and keep your hamster there.
Step 4: Budget for a Hamster and Start Savings
Try to save money for all of the partial amounts of hamster expenses. It will help to convince your parents as they won’t need to pay for the whole thing. Don’t worry; hamsters aren’t too expensive, and their maintenance is also low.
So, first, find out the cost of a hamster. A hamster, on average, can cost between $5 and $20. And a hamster cage can cost you from $30 to $50. Other hamster expenses, like bedding, hamster food, cage accessories (toys, exercise balls), and shavings for their cage bottoms, can cost anywhere between $25 and $50 in total.
You can save money from your allowance or offer to help with chores for money. This is a great way to show your parents you’re really dedicated to getting a hamster.
Step 5: Prepare to Answer Questions About Hamsters
It’s normal that your parents will ask some basic questions regarding hamsters, such as how long hamsters live, are they messy, what they eat, whether or not they smell, and other practical things.
So keep your answers ready depending on your research so you can answer the questions your parents have.
Step 6: Prepare a Presentation
Make a presentation telling fun facts about hamsters, why you want a hamster, how you would spend time with it, and how you will take care of it. Include any important and interesting information about the hamster to make your parents curious about it. Your time and effort in making the presentation will reflect your seriousness.
You can do this on Powerpoint or on a poster board using visuals.
Step 7: Demonstrate Responsibility
Before requesting a hamster from your parents, show them you are responsible. For example, help your parents with small household chores like laundry or dishwasher loading. If you have another pet, assist your parents with feeding, walking, and cleaning them.
Related Article: How Much Does a Hamster Cost
Step 8: Talk to Your Parents
Don’t randomly start talking to your parents. First, plan a meeting. Ask your parents to pick a date and time that works for them. Make sure to choose a time when your parents will be in a good mood and well rested. Don’t pick any high-stress time for the meeting; rather, try to set the meeting on the weekends or after dinner.
When you talk to your parents, let them know you have researched enough about hamsters and you know where to get one. While discussing, you should mention an estimated total cost for a hamster. Also, remember to explain how you intend to spend time with your hamster and take care of it.
Planning a meeting will let your parents know how important a hamster is to you, so they will listen to you carefully.
Step 9: Answer Any Questions Your Parents Might Have
Confidently answer any of your parents’ questions. And if you don’t know the answer, think about the question carefully and come up with a response that will show how much you want to get a hamster. And if you can’t come up with an answer, then ask for some more time to research so that you can answer all the questions next time.
Tip :
If you have a pet already, your parents are likely to ask you if a hamster can coexist with other pets. Be prepared for this question with a good answer.
Step 10: Be Persistent and Don’t Whine
If your parents say maybe, it’s a positive signal. Take them to a pet store and show them the hamster you want to get, how cute it is, and share some interesting facts about hamsters. This way, you can change their mind and be able to complete your hamster mission.
However, your parents also can say no. Then instead of whining, try to find a way to get a hamster later. You can show them how responsible you can be, get good grades, or anything that will impress them and increase your chances!
Remember, persistence is the key.
Step 11: Be Patient
Your patience will show your parents how dedicated you are to getting a hamster! Simply remind them you still want a hamster, and maybe after a few days or weeks, they might give you the permission. And if they still say no, don’t throw any fit. Rather ask for the reason so either you can give up or make a new plan to try to convince them again.
Giving them the time to think will help you. Don’t keep mentioning it all the time and annoy them. Be patient and impress your parents.
Are Hamsters Good Pets for Kids?
Hamsters are a popular pet among children. Although a hamster can seem like the ideal pet for your little kid, there are some facts that you need to consider.
As hamsters need sensitive handling and gentle touch, and they can even bite when disturbed, children younger than six might be unable to handle hamsters properly. However, hamsters can be a great pet for school-aged children since they require little maintenance and are a ton of fun to play with and observe.
However, since hamsters are nocturnal, they will stay up all night, and your children may want to stay awake longer to spend time with their hamsters.
Tips
🐹 Syrian hamsters are better suited for children. They are bigger, sturdy, and easier for children to pet. They are more docile and friendlier.
🐹 Dwarf species are typically more ideal for children over 10 because they move very quickly, are challenging to tame, and can be snappy.
🐹 If a hamster suddenly wakes up from his nap during the day, it may bite. So children under 8 should only handle hamsters under adult supervision.
How to Take Care of a Hamster?
- Provide your hamster with at least a 15-20 gallon cage. The floor space of the cage should be at least 150 square inches of solid (not wire). However, a bigger cage is always better.
- Make sure your hamster’s housing is well-ventilated. It will allow enough fresh air for the hamster and prevent the buildup of odor from feces, urine, and spoiled food.
- It’s always a good idea to house hamsters alone if you have more than one hamster because hamsters are territorial and can fight each other, causing great damage.
- Your hamster’s bedding should have enough depth to burrow and dig, particularly under hides. Remember to change the bedding 1-2 times a week.
- Put their habitat in a semi-active area.
- You should maintain the cage temperatures around 65 to 80 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s recommended to keep the humidity around 40-70%. Remember that if the temperature is below 40 degrees F, hamsters can go into a state of torpor and feel lethargic.
- Give your new friend some time to get comfortable with you before you start picking him up. Don’t worry. It won’t take much time. They will start trusting you after a few days of feeding them.
- Like humans, your beloved pet will also love it when you offer him a varied diet. So, in addition to their regular foods such as pellets, and blocks, you should supplement them with fruits and vegetables like carrots, broccoli, greens, seeds, raisins, cucumbers, squash, and apples, pears, peas, or berries.
However, always give them treats in moderation if you don’t want to upset their stomach.
- Always keep your hamster’s housing clean. You should clean the toilet area daily, change the water daily, and wash their food dish weekly. Also, remember to empty their habitat weekly or twice a week.
- You should allow your pet to spend plenty of time outside his cage.
- Be a good pet owner. Give your pet love and care, and invest time to bond with him.
You may also like: Is a Hamster a Rat?
FAQ
Are Hamsters Good Pets?
Hamsters make excellent pets for many people. Hamsters don’t need constant attention or extensive training. They are inexpensive, cute and, entertaining, pleasant to hold. They require minimal space, they are clean, easy to care for, and they form bonds with their owners. So you can tell why hamsters are good pets to keep.
Are Hamsters Nocturnal?
Pet hamsters are nocturnal. In general, hamsters sleep during the day and stay awake at night to avoid predators. So if you have a hamster, you will mostly see him only before going to your bed. However, hamsters make great pets for night owls; owners who sleep late.
Bottom Line
Convincing your parents to get a Hamster involves multiple steps. Before telling your wish to your parents, gather enough information, and demonstrate to them you are responsible and can take care of your pet.
Your every step and action should reflect that you are serious about getting a hamster. But even after doing all the possible things to persuade them, if they still say no, try to understand their concerns.
I wish you all the best for your hamster mission!
As an animal lover since childhood, Paul has an excessive amount of kindness for animals and really feels about them. Feeding stray dogs and passing time with them is one of the things Paul loves to do in his free time.
Paul studied Veterinary Medicine at Murdoch University. He is a Speaker who talks about animal welfare at various events. You will find him sharing here his valuable knowledge as well as experience.
Currently, Paul is working on his first book to publish where you will see the reflection of his 10 years of experience with animals and pet psychology.