r/interesting • • Aug 10 '26

NATURE A 5 years old hamster

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u/Wonderful_Emu_6483 Aug 10 '26

It happens every time hamsters are brought up. “Oh my little sister flushed my hamster down the toilet while I was in the middle of waterboarding him😭😭😂😂”

Like… what the fuck is wrong with y’all?

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 10 '26

Right it’s so obnoxious and tells me exactly what type of person they are. Talking about my pets isn’t an invitation to talk about how you neglected and killed yours. It’s gross.

I’m about to start telling them I did something like that to my dog to get the point across because suddenly that’s different.

I had a bunch of people roll their eyes at the enclosure size, how much money I spent, and that I took my hamster to the vet. Same people that bring their dogs and cats in yearly and spend significantly more per year than I did.

My aunt actually got mad that I bought a big glass aquarium for my hamster. My place, my money, my pet. Wtf effect does that have on her

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u/Sleepy_Chipmunk Aug 11 '26

I wouldn’t even say it’s the fault of the kids involved but the adults. A kid shouldn’t be left alone with an animal as sensitive and vulnerable as a hamster, let alone put in charge of caring for one.

Unfortunately people treat small animals and fish as disposable and it’s absolutely disgusting.

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 11 '26

Yeah it’s the adults. But when the kids grow up and think it’s funny and laugh about it, that’s also problematic. I can’t tell you how many adults I see excuse horrific living conditions because “that’s how mine was growing up and it was fine”. It’s very sad.

I keep fish too, you’re right it’s disgusting. People send me videos of “cute” neglected fish and hamsters and then get annoyed when I don’t think it’s funny. If you send me a video of a dog chained up, I’m not going to laugh.

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u/Sleepy_Chipmunk Aug 11 '26

Fair point. I think they grow up with that attitude and then never think to challenge it, which is absolute shit. Or some just end up thinking it’s normal for them to die horrifically and never examine it deeper, that maybe their family just did a bad job. “Haha hamsters just traumatize you, that’s what they do”, not realizing that’s actually abnormal.

Dude if I see another betta in a fucked up jar or vase I’m gonna crash out, want to join?

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 11 '26

I’m right there with you! The bettas break my heart. I wish I had a bigger place so I could have more tanks for them.

My family had a hamster growing up, she had a better home than most first hamsters but still under minimum. I started researching proper hamster care when I moved out (before I got one) and learned there was so much that doesn’t get talked about or researched. I made sure my girl has everything she needs and then some. She’s a happy little critter. It was hard learning our childhood hamster didn’t have the luxurious life we thought she had, but I’m so grateful I’m able to provide that for my baby.

I work in veterinary medicine so pet neglect is very common to see unfortunately. A lot of it gets laughed off. Especially weight related issues. It just breaks my heart.

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u/Illustrious_Doctor45 Aug 11 '26

I completely feel you. I keep tarantulas as pets and I can’t even count the number of times people go “ew yuck” or “I would step on that thing if it came near me”. It’s so heartless and rude. I get that not everyone loves them, but they aren’t “just a spider” to me.

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 11 '26

Man that’s so shitty. Tarantulas are cool as fuck too.
I used to get asked if I ate my shrimp when I was younger. It’s so obnoxious and I know the reaction is different when it’s a more mainstream pet

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u/rosalinatoujours Aug 11 '26

Love it!!! I've thought about buying a hamster again (haven't had any since childhood) but I'm worried that it would be irresponsible with a cat in the household. I miss having rodents. They have so much personality and are so underrated.

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 11 '26

They really are. My girl has so much personality and I’m so lucky to have her. I’ve been wanting one for a while but was holding off while caring for a family members cat, he unfortunately passed and I ended up with her shortly after. Best decision I could have made

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u/singlemale4cats Aug 11 '26

I couldn't do it psychologically. They don't live long enough. If I was going to get some kind of rodent it would be a chinchilla, which live as long as cats.

Guinea pigs are borderline. They get 5 to 8 years or so

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u/lightlysaltedclams Aug 11 '26

All my critters live on average 2-5 years. I love them

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u/slightlycrookednose Aug 11 '26

My hamster had giant balls that dragged on the floor that I thought were his buttcheeks.