10 Reasons Why Hamsters Make Great Pets

Deciding to welcome any new animal into your home should require careful thought and consideration. Dogs and cats of course, make great pets, but require a massive amount of responsibility and training. If you’ve got a pet shaped hole in your heart and don’t have the time or energy to train a dog, why not consider adopting a pet hamster?

Hamsters are one of Ireland’s most popular small pets, and it’s easy to see why. They are cute, cuddly, and make great first pets for families with children. Read below our top 10 reasons why you should welcome a furry little friend into your home!

1.Easy to Care For

Compared to dogs and cats, hamsters are low maintenance. They require suitable hamster pellets, vegetables, hay and fresh fruit. They don’t require excessive training like a dog would; just a regular amount of cuddling, handling, and socialising! Along with a nice cage to live in and plenty of suitable toys, hamsters make for the perfect, easy-to-look-after pet.

2. They are Cute

Have you seen a hamster’s face? Need we say more?

3. They are Entertaining

From watching your hamster running around in his wheel to exploring supervised out-of-cage time, these furry little creatures are extremely fun to play with and can provide endless hours of entertainment.

4. They are Clean

Hamsters like to relieve themselves in one spot in their cage, making it easy to clean out. They also like to clean themselves and are generally quite fussy about personal hygiene, constantly making sure their fur is clean and tidy. These habits mean you have one less thing on your to-do list as a hamster parent!

5. They are Small

Hamsters are one of the smallest pets you could have, so no need to have a big house or garden for them to run around in! Just make room for a decent sized cage and lots of toys, which should keep them entertained.

6. No Shedding

Unlike many pets, hamsters don’t shed, so no need to get out the hoover to clean up the fur from the carpet!

7. They are Quiet

No barking or meowing in the middle of the night; hamsters are ideal pets if you want some peace and quiet.

8. Perfect for Night Owls

Hamsters are nocturnal creatures, meaning they like to explore at night. If you’re more of a night owl yourself and enjoy late nights, hamsters are the perfect company for you.

9. They are Smart

Hamsters can easily learn some tricks when playing on the floor. Once you’ve established a good bond with your hamster, why not teach it to follow a few commands, such as how to stand, jump, and do circles? Their natural desire to run around and release some energy also means they will benefit from an obstacle course, another fun trick for your hamster to do.

10. They are Friendly

Hamsters are friendly creatures that will love to cuddle with you once you have gained their trust. Depending on your species of hamster, building a bond may take longer.