When you finally give into the demands of the kids who have been harping on about getting a pet for the past who knows how many months, you’re probably thinking to yourself that a dog or a cat is just far too much responsibility when little Jake or Jennifer can’t remember to put their laundry in the basket yet. The best pet you can possibly buy them as a starter is a cute, fluffy hamster! Inexpensive, easily tamed and mostly kept alone, hamsters are  low maintenance animals that make ideal first time pets for young or older children.

To begin: housing

Hamsters aren’t very sociable animals. Most breeds like to be kept alone, otherwise they will fight. There are, however, one or two breeds that enjoy eachothers company, usually the smaller breeds like roborovski hamsters and dwarf hamsters. Check with the breeder first! Regardless of number, hamsters need an ideally sized cage to sleep and play in, one large enough for a bed, a wheel, a toy or two and a food bowl. There are plenty of hamster cages out there to choose from!

Feeding

Unlike cats, dogs, rabbit or other larger pets, hamsters don’t require any jabs, rarely require vet treatment and only require feeding once a day – sometimes not even that! Hamsters are very good at regulating the amount the eat and will only ever nom on some nibbles when they feel hungry. That’s not to say you can’t give them a treat or two here and there, because some fresh carrot, brocolli or a couple of nuts offers an additional element of nutrition to their diet as well as providing ideal, healthy treats along with store sold hamster food. Be careful not to give your ham too much wet food though (cucumber, for instance), as this can lead to a nasty stomach ache!

Playtime!

If you have a safe environment for your little hamster to run around in, let him or her explore! Though they will likely have a hamster wheel in their cage, they like to get out and about and enjoy an adventure from time to time. If you can’t let them run around on the floor, there’s no harm in letting them crawl and climb all over you – it still counts as exercise! You can also find a selection of hamster toys to keep them occupied in their cage.

Maintenance

Some longer haired hamsters will need a minimal but additional level of maintenance. From time-to-time they do need a little haircut, but this is easily performed with a pair of curved nail scissors. Of course, you must clean out any hamster cage once a week, especially during the warmer months. Your hamster wants to live in a clean, sweet smelling home just as much as you do! Don’t use fine sawdust though, as it can effect their breathing. Hamsters will rarely need to go to the vet for any reason, perhaps never in the course of its whole life, but you should still be aware of any health conditions or problems a hamster can develop.

Take a look at some hamster care guide books for more information!

Pet ferrets are becoming more and more popular pets, so if you’ve been thinking about getting one of these strange little slinky critters then you should probably get to know everything about them first. Bear in mind that in some countries outside of the United Kingdom, ferrets are ilegal to own, so do your research!

The word ‘ferret’ actually means ‘little thief’ in Latin. This might give you an indication of the personality of a ferret. They like to steal little bits and bobs, a bit like a magpie, so understand that ferrets are very curious creatures and like to get into anything and everything they can. They love to explore! As very active creatures, ferrets need a lot of time free of the confines of a cage as well as some time socialising either with you or with another ferret. They are a lot like dogs, cats and rats – they love attention from their owners.

There are plenty of ferret accessories to keep your bendy pet entertained. Ferret toys are an excellent way to keep them active and their mind stimulated – these can also be tossed into the ferret cage afterwards! Of course, you’re going to need plenty of ferret food and other ferret bits and pieces.

If you’re going to have a ferret running around, you have to make sure your home is ferret-proofed. They can get into almost any little niche and hole. Think about all of the places you would want to get into if you were that size! Even if you have a ferret-safe home though, you must keep an eye out to make sure they don’t find anything new!

If you have other animals running around, make sure you introduce them slowly and carefully. You don’t want any fights to go on between your pets. Ferrets won’t get along with smaller animals like birds, rodents or rabbits though, so either ensure they’re kept separate or don’t get a ferret! They have a nasty nip.

For more information on ferrets, check out some ferret care and ferret guide books!

Have you ever been desperate to know exactly what your darling little Precious or Perdy is thinking when she looks up at you doe-eyed like butter wouldn’t melt? No doubt we have all at one stage or another wanted to discover what our pets are thinking at a particular moment, whether they are simply  hankering for a slice of that ham you’re putting on your sandwich or whether they are yearning for a bit of fuss and attention.

Like all animals, cats and kittens communicate in a very special way, be it by rubbing their chin up against your leg, the door or anything else in range, or be it gently pawing you while you’re trying to watch the lastest episode of Coronation Street. Cats are a temperamental species, so it can be very difficult to know 100% what it is they want or need, but by and large, it’s not difficult to guess.

Does she need to use the litter tray? Does she want to play with the catnip toy? Or does she simply want to curl up in her bed while you dotingly brush her with her very own cat brush? One cat owner tells a story of her cat making herself comfortable on top of their turtle tank, meowing incessantly and pawing the lid. They had no idea what she was doing this for until the owner realised the bulb in the tank had gone and their little kitty was demanding its replacement so she could continue to be comfy and warm on her special spot atop the turtles! Very clever!

Another owner complains of their cat pouncing on their head in the early hours of the morning, wondering if an imaginary mouse has scuttled into his ear. We think that one just wanted a bit of attention from their lazybones human! One owner in particular tells of her cat Squeaky, who spends hours and hours sitting perfectly still, staring into space. Contemplating the mysteries of the universe? Philosophising? Calculating complicated mathematical problems? Meditating? Who can say for sure. Maybe she’s just thinking about the best way to get the cat treats down from the top shelf.