Yes, hamsters are a great pet for 8 year olds.
Hamsters are small and easy to care for, which makes them ideal for kids who want to have a pet but aren’t old enough to take on the responsibility of larger animals like cats or dogs. They’re also inexpensive and require little space—so you won’t have to worry about any out-of-pocket expenses or building modifications. Hamsters can be trained to do tricks, like roll over and dance on their back legs!
Here are some more reasons why hamsters make great pets for kids:
They’re quiet—hamsters don’t make much noise at all unless they’re being handled or played with by their owners.
They’re very clean—hamsters groom themselves every day, so there’s no need for daily baths or frequent cage cleaning like there would be with other rodents such as rats or mice.
They don’t smell—hamsters have very little odor compared to many other types of animals (including dogs), so they won’t stink up your house when they’re in it!
They don’t need much exercise—you don’t need to walk your hamster every day like you would with a dog because they get plenty of exercise on their own running around inside their cage.
Are Hamsters Good Pets For 8 Year Olds
What is a hamster?
What is a hamster?
Hamsters are small, often cute rodents that are often kept as pets. They’re generally from the genus Phodopus and subfamily Cricetinae of the rodent family Muridae. In other words: they’re related to mice—just smaller! The best-known species of hamster is probably the golden or Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus), but there are many different kinds of hamsters out there. Hamsters have been kept as pets since they were first domesticated thousands of years ago in China and Mesopotamia. In both places, they were found to be useful for their meat and fur; they’ve been bred in captivity since at least 1700 B.C., when ancient Egyptians began keeping them as pets—probably because they were so darn cute!
What Age Is Appropriate for a Hamster?
Hamsters are not suitable for very young children. Children under the age of eight should not be given a hamster because they may not be able to handle it properly. They may mishandle or drop the hamster, which can cause injuries to either the animal or their younger sibling.
Children also need to have patience in order to wait while a hamster comes out from its hiding place and is comfortable around them. Hamsters don’t like sudden movements, so even if your child is excited about playing with this new pet, she needs to be patient until her new friend feels comfortable enough with her presence that she will come out from under something like an old shoe or blanket where she’s been hiding.
Finally, children need help cleaning out their cages on occasion (more frequently than older kids who would be more independent). This chore requires some adult supervision (which can also keep younger siblings’ hands away from the cage) so that dangerous items aren’t ingested by your furry friend or found by curious fingers digging through bedding material underneath where they shouldn’t go!
What Kind of Hamster Should I Get?
When considering whether hamsters are the right pet for you, it’s important to think about what kind of hamster you want. There are many different varieties of hamsters available on the market today, each with their own unique characteristics. Let’s take a look at some popular choices:
- Golden Hamster – The golden hamster is known for its beautiful coloration and gentle nature. They make excellent pets for beginners, but they may be difficult to find in certain areas due to their popularity as exotic pets.
- Syrian Hamster – The Syrian hamster is one of the largest members of the species, growing up to 10 inches long when fully grown. They’re also easygoing and sociable creatures who make great companions once they get used to being handled by humans! However, because they can grow somewhat large over time (and might even bite if provoked), this breed should only be considered if your child has had previous experience with other small animals like mice or guinea pigs before adopting one here instead!
Hamsters are nocturnal.
Hamsters are nocturnal, which means they’re active at night. They like to sleep during the day and are most active in the evening and at night. If you have a hamster as a pet, you need to be prepared for their nighttime habits. Your hamster will get used to its new home over time but it might take awhile for your hamster to settle down into daily routines such as sleeping or playing with toys during the daytime hours.
- Hamsters sleep more than they play—they can be up to 18 hours a day! This means that they don’t need toys that blink lights or make noise every few minutes because your child won’t really see them much anyway when he’s awake (and even if he does see them often then this isn’t necessarily something good). A cool wheel is great because it helps keep their metabolism high so they’ll stay healthy; however, other kinds of toys just aren’t necessary unless you want something fun for yourself!
If possible try keeping your hamster cage away from noise sources like televisions; this way your furry friend won’t startle easily when startled by sudden noises coming from nearby rooms through walls or floors.”
Getting rid of a pet is difficult and requires careful planning.
It may be tempting to give your hamster away when you want to get rid of it, but there are many reasons why this is not the best option. Getting rid of a pet is difficult and requires careful planning.
Try adopting your hamster instead. There are plenty of people who would love to take home an adorable animal- especially if they’re younger than 8 years old! If you can’t find anyone willing to adopt your hamster through social media or word-of-mouth, consider contacting local shelters and rescue groups in order to give them a second chance at life. Many shelters will not take in hamsters because their small size makes it easier for them to hide from staff members during inspections; however, if you explain that your hamster has been treated well since birth and won’t cause any problems once he’s inside his new home (e.g., escape attempts), then perhaps they’ll reconsider taking him off your hands!
What to Look For in a Hamster Food
Hamsters are omnivores, but they have a lot of fur and long whiskers so it’s important to make sure that the food you give them is good for their health. Hamsters need a well-balanced diet with plenty of protein, fat, carbohydrates and fiber. It’s also important that your hamster has access to fresh water at all times and hay for them to chew on. Access to fresh vegetables and fruits is another great way for your child’s hamster to get the nutrients it needs in its diet!
Hamsters can live 2-3 years.
A hamster’s average life span is 2-3 years. It depends on their breed, gender, and conditions. In the wild, they can live up to 3 years old. Hamsters who are bred in captivity have a longer life expectancy because they are not exposed to diseases that other hamsters might be carrying with them.
Hamsters make good pets for 8 year olds because they are easy to keep and will not get too big or noisy with time.
Caring for Your Hamster
A hamster is a great pet for children, especially if they are at least 8 years old. Hamsters are very cute and fun to play with. They also make good pets because they live 2-3 years and don’t need an expensive cage or toys like dogs or cats do.
Hamsters should be kept in cages that have exercise wheels, tunnels and tubes so that they can run around and explore their surroundings. Hamsters also need fresh water every day so be sure to always have fresh water available for your new friend!
Don’t forget that hamsters are chewers–so they’ll need lots of chew toys
- Don’t forget that hamsters are chewers–so they’ll need lots of chew toys.
They love cardboard, plastic, wood and fabric! Make sure to buy a bunch of different toys for your new friend. Hamsters love to explore so get them some tunnels and nests as well as chew toys made out of the above materials.