https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 04 Apr 2026 22:49:50 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917064 Wed, 08 Jul 2020 09:26:28 +0000 honeybear 2917064@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Do you have a garden/yard? Or a patio/balcony/window box? I think the lowest-maintenance way to introduce new animals to your children is to put in native plant species that your local animals/birds/insects like. You have to do some minor research, as the stuff labeled "native" at the big box stores and even some locally-owned nurseries frequently isn't, but it's not hard to figure out what plants the local butterflies especially like. Then all you have to do is keep the plants alive (way less work than a pet) and the animals/birds/insects come to you. </p> <p>I know this approach isn't a pet-in-your-room solution, but it has lots of benefits, I think. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917063 Wed, 08 Jul 2020 07:33:10 +0000 Cait1 2917063@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Seconding the lizard recommendations. We just got a leopard gecko for our four year old. His tank is super, duper low maintenance and clean -no weird smells which I was afraid of. My son can hold him (supervised obviously) for short periods of time and gets such a kick out of it. The only higher maintenance aspect is feeding - the pet store told us that he needs to eat live crickets. My husband signed us up for an ongoing live cricket subscription though so they get mailed to our house every week. Not so bad. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917038 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 19:41:23 +0000 erinbaderin 2917038@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Agreeing about hamsters - I remember having one and it was cute but I had to put the cage in the bathroom at night because it kept me awake. Also it was a biter.</p> <p>What about some kind of lizard? We currently have some caterpillars that we found in the garden and are trying to get into butterflies and I’m enjoying them and was thinking similarly about low maintenance pets, and those occurred to me. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917027 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:40:10 +0000 Lahela017 2917027@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Just want to say that guinea pigs are not low maintenance either. They are more involved then a hamster. They require daily food, fresh food, daily cage cleaning, and interaction. You have to deep clean the cage at least once a week. Also, you need at least two because they are social animals, and you need a large cage. The ones they sell at pet stores are too small.</p> <p>I've at a lot of hamsters and guinea pigs, so let me know if you have any questions. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917026 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 13:02:52 +0000 RKitty 2917026@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hermit crabs aren't a low maintenance pet. They need heat and humidity some species need salt water and fresh water pools. They need a varied fresh diet.... they are also nocturnal and escape pros.</p> <p>Hamsters and other rodents arent good choices because they're nocturnal and small - easy for kids to harm.</p> <p>A larger critter like a guinea pig (you need more then one they're very social animals) or rabbit or rat might be a good choice if you think they'll be safe with your dogs. But they all do need larger cages but once set up are some what lower maintenance.</p> <p> Bettas are good and there are other fish that don't need water heaters if you keep your home a decent tempature. If you have a established fish tank you shouldn't change all the water at once just 10-50%. (Like most weeks 10%) you can actually get tanks where you just need to add water.</p> <p>If you want a pet that's looks only you could look into some reptiles. Most are low maintence as long as you set up their cage/tank properly for their species. Though you have to deal with their food (ie mice for snakes) . Crested Geckos are pretty low maintenance once you set up a tank. (Mist once a day, give fresh water, mix up their powdered food, only need to feed bugs as a treat). But again most are nocturnal and the kids wouldn't be able to handle. (The 6 year old could supervised).</p> <p>It all really comes down to what you ( or your spouse) is willing to devote. I'd highly recommend googling care sheets for any animal your thinking of getting and avoiding care directions from most major pet stores as they're often wrong. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917024 Mon, 06 Jul 2020 11:54:00 +0000 nana87 2917024@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Chuckles: that's a really good point! the dogs had zero interest in the fish but they'd prob notice the hamster...and they're herding dogs, so putting a hamster in a ball that moves around is just asking for them to get all riled up! we literally cannot have balls in our home without it being play time for them lol</p> <p>@muffinsmuffins: lol I remember my hamster cage being really smelly...</p> <p>@Lahela017: this is really helpful, thanks!</p> <p>@PinkElephant: omg hermit crabs scare me lol! the beta fish was a lot more work than we were expecting (though it was dh's job so who cares lol), and a tank full of water than has to be changed is a lot heavier than pouring out the litter/bedding for a furry creature... </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917016 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 23:01:40 +0000 PinkElephant 2917016@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We got a Glow Fish a few months ago, and honestly it’s been more work than I expected it to be with changing filters/water, doing full tank scrub downs, dealing with some weird algae that grew when the kids left the blue light on, etc. the kids (3, 6, and 8) aren’t all that interested now that we moved them out of the kitchen and into an upstairs alcove. The three year old tends to remember to feed them, and then the others want to help, but the novelty definitely wore off fast. For the cost/effort, next time I’d be inclined to go for something more likely to give the kids some attention back and might get a hamster or Guinea pig.</p> <p>Or what about hermit crabs? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917013 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 20:48:06 +0000 Lahela017 2917013@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have had several hamsters in the past. I think it depends on how much work you want to put into it since your kids are too young to really take care of one. It would need fresh food and water daily, and a full cage cleaning with new litter and washed down weekly. It's also good for them to get out in a ball frequently. Also keep in mind that they are nocturnal, so they will run on their wheel at night. They do have quieter plastic wheels compared to the metal ones of the past, but it is still something to be aware of. I never spelt in the same room as my hamsters.</p> <p>Hamsters could be a fun family pet, but they are a lot more work then a fish, and they all have different personalities. I've had some that don't mind being handled, and others that hated it. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917011 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 20:14:08 +0000 muffinsmuffins 2917011@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ugh I also remember me and my brother each had hamsters and they were the wooooorst. Running on the wheel all night, pooping all over when we took them out of their cages, pushing all their wood chips out of the cage. We thought they were pretty cute but my mom told me when I was an adult that her and my dad were not sad at all when they died ha! I would stick with fish :silly: </p> <p>My wife had a rabbit and cats as a kid and she loooved both. Her rabbit was gigantic! I don’t think I would risk any small animal with dogs though...I’m imagining an accidental bloodbath 😳 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917009 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 19:58:28 +0000 Chuckles 2917009@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>How do you think your dogs would be about a hamster? I had one growing up and we had to be very careful to keep the cage up high and keep the dog away when we took it out to play. It was a little stressful and not ideal, though we did manage. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/hamster-or-fish#post-2917008 Sun, 05 Jul 2020 19:05:04 +0000 nana87 2917008@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>If you were going to get your lo a small pet, what would you get?</p> <p>Los (3 and 6) had a beta fish for about a year and a half that just died. We also have two dogs, but they really liked having a low-ish maintenance pet that lived in their shared room. We already have a tank, but are thinking about other pets that could live inside. I had a hamster growing up and don’t remember it being too much work, and it could be a bit more fun/interactive than a fish...</p> <p>What would you get? </p>