Are you thinking of getting a hamster? There are lots of good reasons to keep these cute pets, and very few downsides! Getting your parents to get you one shouldn't be difficult once they realize these puppies make perfect pets. They don't need a lot of space, they don't cost too much, and they don't mess on the sofa. After researching and pleading your cause, your parents should be convinced without too much trouble.
Steps
Step 1. Research hamsters and their habits
You will learn that they live up to 3 years, sometimes even 5. They are sensitive to light, heat, and many other things like other pets and small children. If you have cats, they may try to eat them, so think twice. They cannot be kept in direct sunlight or in areas with drafts, and they need a fairly stable temperature. They also need to be looked after every day to stay friendly, and they need to have their cage cleaned once a week to stay healthy. You shouldn't get a hamster just because it's cute
Step 2. Talk to your parents
Tell them you've learned about hamsters and looked at pet stores, and local breeders. Explain how you plan to take care of the hamster. If your parents agree, you will need a wheel without bars (with a solid surface to run on so the pet doesn't get stuck), some bedding, specific hamster food, a cage., and a bottle of water.
Step 3. Insist on your parents but don't be annoying
If they tell you "maybe", you can be lucky! Go to the pet shop together, show them a hamster and tell them all the interesting things you have learned about this little rodent. Make them curious about the subject and maybe you will be able to change their minds.
Step 4. Be patient
After a few weeks or days, they may accept. If not, ask for the reason without being petulant and give them more time to think about it if they need to. There can be many reasons to keep a pet, as many as not to keep them. For example, if you have other pets in the house they might say something like, "We don't need a hamster" or "We have cats!" If you know why they don't want it, you can give up or think about how to convince them in the future. If they say no, don't insist, you can ask again after a month or two.
Step 5. Organize the economic aspect for the care of your hamster
You will need at least a hundred euros, which you can get yourself with some work or by trying to sell some of your items that you have kept in your cellar for some time.
Step 6. Write a letter to your parents indicating, gently but clearly, why you would like a hamster
Also, show them that you can understand the reasons if they don't want to. Your parents will be more likely to give in to a valid and constructive argument.
Step 7. Your parents probably won't get you a hamster if you're not behaving responsibly or if you have bad grades
Try doing chores around the house without them asking you, or try to get better grades in school. If your parents see that you are responsible enough to be able to care for a hamster, they might let you keep one!
Step 8. Make a blueprint for the cage
Keep in mind everything your pet needs, and add the prices of each component (cage included).
Step 9. Find a place to keep your little rodent
If you have other pets, put them in a separate place, but make sure it is an area you visit often, such as the living room or kitchen.
Step 10. Don't keep talking about the hamster all the time
It doesn't do any good, except making your parents feel even more pressured.
Step 11. Be willing to pay for the hamster yourself
It won't be a big issue, but it will likely help convince your parents. Plus, it's not too expensive.
Advice
- If you can get yourself a hamster, treat it well! If you don't treat him properly, he could harm himself.
- Parents can deny you permission because they think they will end up taking care of the hamster. If you have another pet in the house, show your parents that you can look after the hamster by taking care of this animal. If you don't have any other pets, you can do housework to show when you are responsible and how dedicated you can be to one thing.
- Ask your parents politely, but not every second, otherwise you will drive them crazy.
- When you want a hamster, make sure you have enough space and time to follow him. The hamster takes up a good chunk of your time and is challenging to care for.
- Offer to your parents when they're in a good mood!
- You may not have known yet, but this is important! Know that hamsters are nocturnal animals and that they sleep most of the day, so if you want a cuddly and playful animal during the day, consider getting a rabbit or a guinea pig. Most pet stores have both, and they're fairly easy to care for.
- Hamsters are better off alone, and be aware that dwarf hamsters may end up fighting each other too.
- If you know you will get bored easily with your hamster, don't get it, you may end up neglecting it and forgetting it.
- Make sure you motivate your parents with fair and clear reasoning.
- Check the prices in the pet shop and see how much the fabrics for his bed and food can cost you.
- Tell your parents that you don't just want a pet, but company and that you will treat them with kindness and respect. Your parents need to know that you are responsible enough to be able to have one!
- DO NOT bathe a hamster in water. It could cause pneumonia and kill him.
- Make it clear to your parents how much you want this hamster. If they think you want it just because your friend has one, they probably won't let you keep it.
- Don't whine or beg. It would weigh even more on your parents, and would show that you are unable to control yourself or mature enough to handle a living creature.
- Check that no one in your family is allergic to hamsters; if anyone was, the hamster is not the best choice.
- Be responsible. Keep the house tidy, clean your room, rake the leaves, do the laundry, etc… This will show that you are ready to take care of a living being.
- If your parents are still unsure, try keeping some of your friends' pets in custody to show that you can take care of the hamsters.
- Make a list of all the pros and cons and show it to your parents. Also, do some research, write it down, and show them this too. So they will understand that you have really thought about it a lot and that you have dedicated yourself to the subject.
- Make sure you have your parents' consent before buying one.
Warnings
- If you have found the Syrian hamster, or are looking to procure it, then DO NOT keep hamsters of this breed together. They fight!
- Roborovski hamsters are not good for beginners. They are more suitable for more experienced people. A good breed to start with is Siberian hamsters.
- Don't beg your parents - this will make you look immature.
- Don't think about getting a hamster if you're not ready. This is a great responsibility. A hamster is a living being, not a toy that you can ignore or throw away.
