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Hamster emergency! Please help me!?

I've really wanted a pet lately. I wanted a dog but since I live in an apartment, I cant have one. So I decided to get a hamster. I have done loads of research and I have really fallen in love with hamsters.
I want to get a Syrian hamster by the way.
Ok here is the question:
Yesterday, I asked my dad if he would buy me one when we return from our trip and he laughed and said no.
When we got home, my mum looked at what I was doing on the computer and said: Why do want a hamster now? so I said because I want a pet, a friend.
They aid no because they smell and I could not clean it.
Im 13 and I am completely sure I will do whatever I have to do when I get a hamster.
Please help me convince my parent to let me get my hamster!
Thank youand please no rude comments.
Thanks for your answer too Silver!
Thank you Penguin fo your good answer lol.
I WILL show my dad his page.
Thank you Emily for the long and informative answer!

Thank you too sportybr!
Thank you Lala<3 and U-neaksd.
Thank you.
thanks evie balla boo.
Im just getting prof from here that hamsters dont stink.
Thank you Smiles, Jessica and Sid(loves)dogs.
Jessica, your answer really help and I will try to do this.
Thank you.
Thank you Taylor.
I hope I get one too.
lol

Public Comments

1. I'm 13 too and I have a hamster.

Hamsters, Only smell if you don't clean there cage and if they are nervous they release this odor that stinks.

You Can indeed clean it there it this powder stuff you put on them and then brush it away.

That is about the best I can give you so Good Luck !

2. Im also 13 :)
Hamsters make nice pets. They are little, cute and fun to play with. Place hamster toys in their cage, and sit back and watch them play. They are also easy to care for, although it is important to remember, that their cage has to be cleaned, and papers on the floor of the cage be replaced.

1. Research hamsters. Are you sure you want one? They live up to 2-3 years! And they are nocturnal, so they can only be kept in your room if you sleep heavily. They also are sensitive to light, heat, and many other things such as pets and small children. If you have cats that will try to eat it, think twice. Same goes for younger siblings that might squish them by mistake. They can't be kept in direct sunlight or in drafty areas. They need a pretty stable temperature. They also need to be handled every day to stay friendly and to have their cage cleaned once a week to stay healthy.
2. Ask your parents nicely if you would be able to get a hamster. If they say no, tell them you have looked up hamsters and pet stores, shelters, breeders around the area. (If your parents say yes, to have a hamster you would need a wheel without bars [solid surface so they don't get stuck], cage bedding, hamster food, a cage, a hamster, and a cage water bottle)
3. Be persistent without being annoying. If they say maybe, you may be lucky! Show them pictures of hamsters and give them details of your research of hamsters. Get them interested in the process and you may be able to change their minds.
4. Be patient. After a few weeks (or days), they might say yes. If not, ask for the reason. There are lots of reasons for and against getting a pet. If you know why they refused, you can either make peace with the decision, or plan how to convince them in the future.
5. Plan financially for your hamster's care. Showing your parents the plan can help convince them you are responsible enough for a pet!
6. Tell your parents that hamsters are very cheap to buy and look after.
7. Go to the library and get books on hamsters. Every pet requires research!
8. If you have a goldfish or betta fish, show your parents that if you can look after a fish, you can look after a hamster.

* Be sure to take care of your hamster and clean out its cage so your parents will see they made the right decision and will not regret it later on.
* Make sure that your parents want it too. If someone in your household is allergic to hamsters, it's not the best choice, and you should try something else.
* Hamsters are living things! Make sure you get it across that you do not just want a pet, but a companion that you will treat with kindness and respect. Your parents need to know that you are responsible enough to get one!
* Don't whine or beg. It just aggravates your parents!
* Try asking your mom when she is in a good mood. If she says maybe,convince your dad to convince your mom
* Of course, parents will say no because they think they will end up taking care of it, BUT if you have another pet at home, prove to you parents you can take care of an animal by walking, feeding, amusing, etc.If you don't have a pet, you're out of luck and just keep asking.
* save up for it,parents normal say no because they have to pay for:food,bedding,toys ect.
* ask them when they are happiest :)
Be sure to be able to answer any question they throw at you :)

* Even after following these steps it is possible that your parents will not allow you to get a hamster.
* If you cry they might think you are not ready for having a pet.
* Better not ask them when they are busy,frustrated or sleepy.They might not know what they are saying and they might answer NO immeditely

I hope this helped :)

Also, a funny way to say it is by saying : If i get a pet, i think it will keep my mind off drugs. That worked for my brother.
Or When im older, i want to be a vet, and i think a hamster would be the first step to learning about animals.
Or I feel lonely and i would like a hamster to keep me company.

Good luck :)

3. im in the same sticky situation i want a rabbit more than any thing else ...i suggest you save your money so YOU can pay for the vet bills food and all the other needs... don't nag cuz i found that will get you no where except a broken heart and show them with a stuffed animal hor responcible you are ...what ever the hamster needs, the stuffed animal needs ... i hope this helps GOOD LUCK!! =D

4. i have three syrain hamsters and they are the greatest lil' guys in the world =] hamsters don't stink as long as you have the right bedding, feed them the correct foods, and have a good sized cage and clean it weekly. just tell your parents that you're ready for this kind of responsibility and ask them if they can try it out. how i got mine when i was younger was just talking with my parents and i said that the first time i don't take care of him, or complain about having him, they can get rid of him. i've had hamsters ever since =p also tell your parents that syrain hamsters are VERY friendly and stay friendly after you get them tamed. it doesn't take much to tame them. if you get them from a personal breeder they'll most likely already be tamed :) hah.. you could also show them a bunch of pictures of cute hamsters online =]
good luck =P

5. Try doing chores, writing a care sheet to present to them, agreeiing to put part of your allowance (if you get one) to expenses, and try not to bug them about it. Assure them that you will clean the hamster often enough for it not to smell, and keep it in your room. I wrote a care sheet and payed for the expenses of my chickens and my parents are totally fine with it.

-Hope this helps!!

6. You tell your parents to read this. It is a terrible misconception that hamsters stink! Male mice stink. Guinea pigs can potentially stink. Hamsters DO NOT stink.

The only way your hamster is going to smell bad is if you neglect your cleaning duties. All you have to do is clean the cage and change the bedding once a week. Furthermore, use Carefresh bedding. It's great for odor control. Another thing you can do to control odor is use a hamster potty. These are not marketing gimmicks--they work! Then you can scoop out the litter with waste in it each day. I swear to you, the only time a hamster will begin to stink is if you do not clean the cage out each week. I've had hamsters, I work at a store that sells hamsters, and I know people who have hamsters, and they will all tell you the same thing. In fact, I had a friend over and I got my hamster out, and my friend said, "I thought hamsters were supposed to be smelly and ratty, but he's so cute and clean and soft!" So I am telling you, if you get a proper cage (wire siding for ventilation--I love the critter trail 2 for a single hammy) and clean it each week, you WILL NOT have to worry about smell! Scout's honor!

7. hamsters are great pets. they're pretty easy to take care of too. i have one named lia and she is very easy to take care of. she's fun to watch too. they don't smell it's probably just the bedding or improper care. i don't know why some people don't like hamsters. just because they're rodents doesn't make them gross. for christmas i really wanted a hamster but i didn't think my parents were going to get me one. but that was when i got my first hamster. :] so even if you really think your parents won't get you one they might surprise you.

8. Firstly hamsters don't smell, even if you leave their cage for a week before cleaning it out (although you should clean it out each week) so the smell will not be a problem at all. Also there is little cost or time actually involved in looking after the hamster, the time comes in when you are taming and playing with your hamster, but you should find this enjoyable.
Tell your parents that hamsters live for 1-2 years (3 at the longest) so you could have a hamster and if you look after it well etc then you could get another one, if not then don't but at least you have one to start with and I'm sure as you said you will look after the hamster.
Also try saying that you can't get a dog for the reasons you said so you've made a compromise on the hamster and they should make a compromise to let you have a hamster. Plus tell them you've done loads of research so will be able to look after your new pet really well - that way they'll be able to trust you to look after the hamster.

9. Hamsters do not smell.
I own 2.
I can see wanting a pet!
I really wanted a guinea pig... but they really do smell...
And my dad used to have a hamster, so he was ok with me getting one!
Yes, a Syrian Hamster is better... I was expecting to get a Syrian hamster, but they didn't have any at the pet store so I got Russian Dwarf Hamsters.

Im around your age, and love them with all my heart!
They are like children to me!

I'd just keep doing research, there's always more stuff to know! I wouldn't beg your parents... hmmm... this is a hard question... ;)

but I think this might work!
go ask your parents if you can help around your apartment, like cleaning, and just doing stuff that needs to be done!
After a week, ask your parents for a small amount of money, for doing the chores, work as hard as you can without complaining... and after about 2 months when you have enough money to buy the hamster with all your own money, ask your parents again!

Tell them the reasons you want one.
Tell them the 2 months of working hard proves you can get one.
Show them you have enough money, now.
Tell them all you already know about hamsters.
And that it will keep you more occupied, and your parents can have more time on the computer... ;) ;)

If your parents don't change their minds with that, then I think you'll just have to wait a little longer...
Make them really happy, and ask them about it when their in a great happy mood!

Maybe for your b-day, say you don't want any presents, but you can buy a hamster with your own money, and that will make you happier than anything!
Same for any holiday...

10. Well, i had this similar problem.
I wanted a hamster but when we got to the petshop, I got a gerbil instead.
Gerbils are WAY better then hamsters because they're nicer, they don't bite as NEARLY much as hamsters do, they're more active, and I just like them more.

The only difference is gerbils have tails and they're slightly smaller, so I reccomend getting the gerbil because they also don't smell as bad as hamsters !

11. I have had a few hamsters when i was younger and they do smell when you don't clean there cadges but they are good pets to have i love the one i had. Just make sure you keep there cadge clean and play with them and feed them. Try to tell your parents this would show you that im responsible to take care of one if you get me it. I think you old enough to have one i had one at your age and i love him. I hope you get one.