Getting to Know your New Pet

Virtually all animals are born untamed, and no matter how cute they seem, it is usually necessary to win their trust before they will become tame enough to handle.

Hamsters are very entertaining creatures but they can give you a nasty bite if they get scared, so approach them very calmly during the first few weeks in order not to frighten them. You should also remember that if you put two hamsters together, they are almost certain to fight.

Another point about hamsters is that they are nocturnal creatures – that means that they sleep by day and are active by night. However, it is possible to train them to come out in the daytime, if you handle them properly. (See section of Making friends with your pet)

Hamsters are probably most famous for gathering up lots of items of food in the pouches inside their cheeks. They then take the contents home to their nests and unload them, storing them up for later feeds. You may be surprised the first time that you see your pet with its cheeks full, but it’s quite normal.

Hamsters usually live for two or three years.

Gerbils, on the other hand, are not nocturnal and are generally active during the day. They are easy to tame, they are happy living in pairs and they rarely, if ever, bite. Another particular advantage with this species is that they pass very little urine. (This is because they are desert animals which need to conserve liquids.) Consequently, they don’t smell as much and need very little cleaning out.

You can expect your gerbil to live for three to four years.

Rabbits have always been traditional pets for children but they are not natives of this country. They were probably introduced from mainland Europe in the twelfth century. Most rabbits have a very even temperament, have clean habits and are friendly towards their owners.

You can keep rabbits singly, or in groups, but remember that they will need a bit more room for exercise than smaller animals do. They will also need a larger hutch.

The life span of a rabbit is very variable and depends on the breed; some breeds live up to seven years, while others will carry on to as much as fifteen.

Guinea pigs originate from South America and have been kept as pets in Europe for hundreds of years. They are smaller than rabbits and tend to be a bit more nervous and jumpy. Like rabbits, they are easy-going, clean and friendly. They are social animals and it is kinder to keep them in a small group rather than as an individual pet. You can keep guinea pigs and rabbits together in the same cage or hutch.

You can expect your guinea pig to live for three to five years.