A hamster is a absolute delight to have around for a kid. They are fantastic furry companions for kids, especially. Whether you are considering getting one for your little one or not, this article will point you in the right direction.
Why you should Get Your Kid a Hamster Friend
Unlike dogs and cats, hamsters are not your everyday pets for kids. But while these tiny and adorable creatures may not win a popularity contest, they make great pets for kids and adults alike. A hamster companion can give your kids valuable life lessons and skills, including empathy, responsibility, and social competency.
There are tons of benefits to be derived from a hamster friendship, and your little one deserves all the good stuff that comes with it. Need more convincing? Read on!
The Benefits of Getting a Hamster Friend for Your Kids
Instills a Sense of Responsibility and Accountability in Children
Hamsters are more than just cute and cuddly companions for children. They also help kids develop a sense of responsibility and accountability through everyday interaction. Hamsters need to be taken care of, and children who own hamsters naturally assume this role. In addition, they must satisfy basic needs such as feeding, grooming, and environmental hygiene.
In ensuring their hamster has everything they need to lead a healthy and happy life, your little one will pick up constructive lessons on responsibility and accountability. They will learn and understand that the upkeep of their pet friend lies on their shoulders, and doing anything that contradicts this obligation will breed severe consequences. As such, they will do everything they can to uphold this commitment.
Also, taking care of a hamster involves sticking to a routine. Your child will understand the importance of consistency and reliability by following a consistent feeding and cleaning schedule. They will also learn to pay rapt attention to their pet’s needs and respond accordingly. They will learn to recognize when their pet is hungry, thirsty, or moody and address the cues.
Establishes Empathy and Compassion in Children
Empathy and compassion are core human emotions and behavioral characteristics that are essential to growth and development. Having empathy is the ability to identify with others and demonstrate kindness emotionally. Schools and parents often strive to instill this fundamental human trait in young children so they can grow up to be empathetic and compassionate adults.
Getting your kid a hamster friend is one of the proven ways to teach your youngster the beauty and benefits of empathy and compassion. Your child will bond emotionally with their cuddly friend and become attuned to their needs. They will comprehend their emotional compulsions, such as pain, distress, hunger, and thirst, and learn to respond with kindness.
If their pet is hurt or distressed, they will become saddened or disturbed and take proactive measures to solve the problem. In due time, your little one will learn to act the same way toward other living beings — humans and animals alike. By taking care of a hamster, they will appreciate the value of humanity and understand that their actions profoundly impact the well-being of others.
Facilitates the Development of Social Skills
Childcare advocates and experts often stress the importance of social development in children and encourage measures promoting social competence and adaptability in children. One such step is adopting a social pet such as a hamster. Hamsters are social creatures, and their upbeat personalities tend to rub off on their owners.
You can encourage social participation by delegating pet care amongst the children or between your kid and their house service caregiver. This way, they must work together to ensure the hamster is well cared for. As a result, they will learn to communicate effectively, negotiate tasks and collaborate to achieve goals.
This will help them develop social skills such as cooperation, effective communication, teamwork, and conflict resolution. Moreover, owning a hamster means your little one will interact with other hamster owners or enthusiasts. They may meet and engage with a diverse range of people when they take their hamster to the vet, park, pet store, and other external environments.
Encourages Physical Activity and Exercise
Caring for a hamster demands a level of physical exertion. From cleaning the cage to preparing food and water, your kid will get enough exercise from attending to their furry friend. These activities, as simple as they may appear, can help children develop physical habits that are beneficial to the body and mental development — such as fine motor skills and coordination.
For one, playing with a hamster entails several physical activities that equate to body-strengthening exercise. Hamsters are naturally active and love to climb, run and explore places. This complements the playful nature of children, and your little ones will climb and run around more than they would on any other day. They may even devise games such as hide and seek or hurdles to make it more fun and engaging.
In addition, children can get a lot of exercise from taking their hamsters outdoors. For example, they may take their hamster out for a stroll, walk to the park or jog to the beach. These activities not only improve physical fitness but are mentally stimulating.
Provides Emotional Support and Companionship
The company of a loving pet can provide substantial emotional support for children. However, playing with toys can get boring, and parents may only be available to offer emotional assistance sometimes (especially if they work busy jobs). A house service nanny may come and go, but hamsters are forever. Other times, children crave non-judgmental companionship outside of their comfort zone, and a hamster is more than adequate.
Developing a solid emotional bond with their hamster can give your little one a sense of security and comfort. In addition, hamsters appreciate the company of people and actively demonstrate this through several gestures. As such, they can be an excellent source of companionship and a support system for children possibly experiencing stress, anxiety, and loneliness.
Additionally, owning a hamster can give children a sense of purpose and meaning. Caring for a hamster demands considerable time and effort, and children can feel a sense of pride and accomplishment when they successfully complete these tasks. It will also keep them busy and focused, thereby eliminating avenues of mischief and misbehavior.
How to Choose the Right Hamster for Your Kids
Parents and home service caregivers must consider certain factors when choosing a hamster for children. These include:
Breed
Like most pets, there are various breeds of hamsters, including Roborovski, Chinese, Dwarf, and Syrian hamsters. Each of these hamsters has unique characteristics and temperaments. For instance, Syrian hamsters are not as active as other breeds and, as such, aren’t the ideal choice for a kid that wants a socially active pet. On the other hand, Chinese hamsters are highly interactive and will be a more fitting choice for children looking to actively engage with their pets.
Temperament
Different pets have different dispositions, and hamsters are no different. Some hamsters are gentle and compliant, while others are energetic and boisterous. If your child is sensitive, a lively hamster may not be in their best interest. But if your child is outgoing, they will prefer a playful and high-spirited hamster like the Chinese hamster.
Age
Parents and caregivers should also consider the hamster’s age before making a purchase. Older hamsters may not be as active as younger hamsters and have a shorter life expectancy. More youthful hamsters, on the other hand, may also need more attention and care because of their delicate nature. Hence, it is crucial to consider the age of the hamster and its life span and ensure that it is the best fit for your child.
Hamster Rules for Parents, Caregivers, and Children
Do not house male and female hamsters together
keeping male and female species in the same space can result in fights and unplanned breeding. Hamsters breed super quickly, and the babies could be attacked by the father. If they do breed, keep the father far away from the mother and children to avoid quarrels and accidents.
Do not house Syrians together
Most same-sex hamsters can coexist peacefully, except for Syrians. However, these breeds of hamsters can get highly aggressive when others are in their territory ( even if it’s a fellow breed of hamster). Therefore, do not keep two or more Syrian hamsters in the same space to avoid injuries and fatalities.
Keep it Quite
Hamsters are generally averse to loud noises. Sounds from the vacuum cleaner, TV, or loud music can frighten the little “fluff balls.” So house them in a white enclosure and try to keep the noise volume minimal. Speak gently when talking to them, and don’t bang on their cage.
Get a House Service Pet Sitter
Do not leave hamsters by themselves! If you are traveling or going on a long trip, enlist the services of a home service pet sitter from the House Service App to take care of your hamster in your absence. These professionals are specially trained to handle and take care of hamsters.
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