I've found myself a new pet!

Originally Posted by 29alfa

Drowned Rat...

its not a rat its a Hamster

29Alfa is right, hamster balls are great for while you're cleaning them out. The type our shop stocked weren't very well made though, and the ends could come open quite easily - again, this is 15 years ago, they might be fine now.

If you get a standard type cage with more than one floor, then just lift the cage off the plastic base while the hamster is on an upper floor, put it on a dolid surface so he's still encaged, and clean out the base at your leisure.
They're not an animal that tend to get stressed, so no need to worry about harming him. (although my niece who refused to leave the hamster alone for basically 24 hours a day did manage to stress one out to the extent that it started losing hair Got her to stop now though.)

Originally Posted by bazza

29Alfa is right, hamster balls are great for while you're cleaning them out. The type our shop stocked weren't very well made though, and the ends could come open quite easily - again, this is 15 years ago, they might be fine now.

If you get a standard type cage with more than one floor, then just lift the cage off the plastic base while the hamster is on an upper floor, put it on a dolid surface so he's still encaged, and clean out the base at your leisure.
They're not an animal that tend to get stressed, so no need to worry about harming him. (although my niece who refused to leave the hamster alone for basically 24 hours a day did manage to stress one out to the extent that it started losing hair Got her to stop now though.)

Thanks fella I know most of the basics of owning a Hamster, been looking into it, but first hand experience/advise is always invaluable

Just been reading through a useful website...

Harry the Hamster|Information about Hamsters and Hamster Care|Harry-Hamster.co.uk

Some info in tehre I knew and didn't know! The Crittertrail cages look fun

Originally Posted by Camp Freddie

Is it possible to freeze to death by eating chocolate? Excuse my hamster ignorance but the two do seem unconnected.

no they were separate incidents. it was choc for animals but the garden centre i got him from got him addicted i think. he was one fat rodent.

That's another point I forgot. Is it a boy?
Don't panic when he grows unfeasibly large testicles!
I nearly took mine to the vet. They're about half the size again of the hamster!
Female hamsters are lucky girls!

Originally Posted by bazza

That's another point I forgot. Is it a boy?
Don't panic when he grows unfeasibly large testicles!
I nearly took mine to the vet. They're about half the size again of the hamster!
Female hamsters are lucky girls!

It's only the balls that are big though So not so lucky

I think you should name him 'Basil the Rat' after Siberian hamster Manuel had in the last ever episode of Faulty Towers.

Haha, that is true!!

Well, I've got the little critter

Welcome Hammy Davis Jr.

I thought I was out, but they put me back in!

Originally Posted by kurzon

I thought I was out, but they put me back in!

I'm sorry???

What's he looking at Hammy, seems to be an escape plan in progress to me

Aaah, That would be him doing his really clever meercat impression - he's a talented bugger

Ever watched the Godfather series of films?

RE: Meercat...Yes, that is exactly what he looks like he's doing... watching, observing, keeping a look out

Enjoy!

I have watched and loved the Godfather films

Hamsters do actually do that to look about for threats, it's really cool