- Hamsters make excellent first companions for children.
- They can help teach children responsibility.
- Playing with Hamsters doesn’t have to be complicated.
I grew up in a household of Birds: Pigeons, Ducks, Chickens, Parakeets, and African Lovebirds. At one time, we even fostered a Sparrow and an Oriole.
They were more like family companions rather than companions of my own. My mom and dad took care of them, too.
My dream was to have a huge stable with a lot of Horses and Ponies, but due to my financial situation and the state of our country’s economy, that dream of mine remains a dream for now.
Years later, my first real animal companions were Hamsters – three of them, actually! For those who read my article in the July-August 2025 issue of Animal Scene, you already know how our Hamster kingdom came to be.
One of our first Hamsters, Caramel “Caraballs,” was part of the “Three Stooges.” He was soft and lazy. Whenever my fiancée Ayu cradled him, he would fall asleep in her arms. The three of us shared many afternoon naps together. We even brought him along on our dates. One of the most memorable moments was when he went with us to the restaurant Slice ‘N Dice. He loved eating carrots, peas, and corn, and the staff were always delighted to see him.
7 REASONS THEY MAKE GOOD FIRST COMPANIONS
Hamsters are good first animal companions because they are easy to take care of and are a great way to teach children the responsibility of caring for animals.
AFFORDABLE HAMSTER FOOD MIXED AT HOME
Hamster food can be affordable if you do not buy premium mixes. My personal mix is a grain blend combined with Pigeon seed mix, and I give large sunflower seeds once a month. Hamsters love sunflower seeds, but they are like “lechon” to them, so not too much – just use them as a treat.
SMALL SIZE
Another reason Hamsters make great starter pets is their size. They do not require a huge enclosure like Dogs or Rabbits, and they do not need daily outdoor walks like Dogs.
A properly sized cage with bedding, a wheel, food, and fresh water is enough to keep them happy. Because of this, they are perfect for families living in condominiums or apartments where space is limited.
UNIQUE PERSONALITIES
Hamster personalities are also very special in their own way. Some are shy, some are curious, some are lazy, and some are very brave when exploring new places.
Above all, Hamsters love food! They like seeds and grain, bread, vegetables, and snacks, too!
ENTERTAINING COMPANIONS
Hamsters are also very entertaining animals to watch. They run on their wheels, store food in their cheeks, dig tunnels, rearrange their toys, and sleep in the weirdest positions.
Many Hamster owners say they can spend hours just watching their little companions do Hamster things. I even have a small stool that I use when I spend time in front of my Hamster wall. Funnily enough, whenever I visit some friends of mine who keep Hamsters, too, they have their own versions of that stool in their homes.
I usually pick one up to cuddle and gently squish. If given the chance, I could spend one to two hours a day just watching them. My friends who come over and take care of our Hamsters when we’re out of town do the same thing.
THEY TEACH PATIENCE AND ROUTINE
Another great thing about Hamsters is that they help teach patience and gentle handling. Because they are small, children can easily learn how to handle them properly.
Despite being tiny bundles of energy, they are quite sturdy. In the event that a child accidentally drops a Hamster, it will usually not get seriously hurt. This makes them a good companion for teaching children to be careful, while still having a companion who is relatively resilient.
Children learn routines such as feeding, cleaning cages, and checking if their little companion is healthy. And if they miss a feeding time, it is usually okay, because Hamsters hoard and stash food– they do not tend to overeat.
PORTABLE FOR OUTDOOR MOMENTS
Another great thing about Hamsters is that because of their size, they’re portable. You can bring them with you most of the time. Cafés and restaurants, even those that do not usually allow big Dogs and Cats, often allow small pets like Hamsters, especially if they are inside a proper carrier.
KIDS LEARN ABOUT LOVE (AND GRIEF)
Syrian Hamsters live for around two years, so children can also learn something important early in life: love, and how to take care of that love while it lasts.
Even though their lives are short, the memories they give can stay with us for a very long time. For many of us, a Hamster is not just a starter pet. They are our first lesson in compassion, responsibility, and friendship with animals.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that in the Manila Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), you can bring Hamsters?
As long as they are in a proper hard carrier (not a box), you may approach the guard and ask them for a waiver. In that waiver, you acknowledge that MRT-3 management is not liable for any accidents or problems involving your pet while traveling.
My fiancée and I often travel with our Hamsters whenever we join Hamster competitions in SMX Convention Center Manila or whenever we go on dates.
3 FUN THINGS TO DO WITH YOUR HAMSTER
Here are three fun activities you can do with your Hamster, all simple and Hamster-friendly!
MAKE A HAMSTER “SALAD BOWL”
Prepare a tiny salad for your Hamster using safe vegetables like carrots, cucumber, peas, corn, and boiled eggs. Chop everything into very small pieces and mix them in a shallow dish.
It’s fun to watch your Hamster pick through the bowl and choose their favorite pieces. Hamsters also like mashed potatoes.
Make sure the vegetables are washed thoroughly with potable water. Tap water may contain bacteria or chlorine, depending on where you are, which may upset your hamster’s delicate stomach. Make it a habit as well to give hamsters potable water, too.
Once the Hamster is done eating, remove the salad bowl. Vegetables spoil easier than grains; do not let your Hamster hoard the greens.
MAKE HAMSTER SEED COOKIES
Mix a small amount of unsweetened oatmeal, crushed Hamster pellets, and seed mix with a drop of potable water until it forms a dough. Shape into tiny balls or flat cookies and let them air dry overnight.
No baking needed. These make great occasional treats and enrichment snacks. You can mix and match seeds and grains for your Hamster to have a variety of treats.
BUILD A HAMSTER “FOOD TREASURE HUNT”
Hide small treats like sunflower seeds, oats, or peas around. This turns feeding time into a fun and stimulating game, and you will enjoy watching your Hamster run around and look for their food.
Unless your hamster is lazy. There are times when my Hamsters would not move a muscle. These activities are simple, inexpensive, and a great bonding experience.
OUR FRIENDS AND THEIR FIRST HAMSTER COMPANIONS
The Keens – twins Joseph and Benjamin – won Ratatouille at the Pagaspas Hamster Show raffle in Baguio last September 2025. When Joseph came home with a Rabbit, two Campbell Dwarf Hamsters, and a Syrian Hamster, he definitely had some explaining to do to his mom.
This is our friend Keila and her Hamster, Milkberry Panna Cotta. She won Milkberry in a raffle at the Pagaspas Hamster Show in Baguio last September 2025. Since then, they have been inseparable.
Milkberry Panna Cotta is one lucky Hamster! She has two loving fur moms! Keila and her niece Kali both take very good care of her.
