Hi everyone, I hope you are all enjoying christmas!!!!!  But obviously that is not the only reason I am here, I need yet more help!  Without trying to wonder away from the subject but my  partners mum died very very suddenly and we are now bringing up her twin children that she left behind as well as our own child.......and the girl twin is finding it extremley hard to deal with and will not get attached to anyone with fear of loosing them......so santa claus brought her a pet hamster which she adores and has brought out a noticeable change in her already, seeing her care for this creature and having to get "cinnabunn" to trust her but although I did ask the hamster breeder if this was safe to be brought into the house where I have puppies, she said it was completley safe but I can never take just one answer and just wondered if someone could just reassure me.

There are not kept in the same room atall and have no interaction, but could someone pls just tell me if this is a complete stupid move (for puppies sake) or all should be ok as advised?  Many many thanks again.......

As far as I know the only danger will be if the hamster gets out and is eaten by a dog!

I don't seea problem at all, sounds like all precautions are being taken (I'm a long time hamster breeder, don't breed now but still have 2) however I think the choice of pet was perhaps a bit odd -if this poor girl is scared of losing somebody she loves, perhaps a hamster with an average lifespan of just 18 months to 2 years wasn't the best?

Many thanks for your replies, the main reason for this choice was this breed of animal was the first thing she has shown an emotional interest in, there is a pet hamster at school at it is literally all she talks about, wants to be near & whenever I go to my pet shop for bits for the dog she will just hang around by the hamsters.  She does read up ont he internet because she is always printing things off to take into school for their hamster & buying it treats even with her pocket money so I thought why not anything to help her really & you are right I know they do not have a long life span but then in a weird kind of way I thought that maybe when she does loose her hamster at least the time they spent together were meaningful and full of happy times helping her to realise the same about her mum??????  I am far from an expert but then just have the childrens best interests at heart and I will try anything to help and if it does not work I will be there for them and will try again.   Thanks again!

That sounds like good reasoning EmmaLou, hope it all works out. :) If you ever need any hamster related questions answered I'll be happy to help out.

I have three hamsters, and three dogs. The hamsters are kept in my childrens bedroom and the dogs are actuually not allowed upstairs but sometimes they do come up.
Afew times one of the Hamsters have been in the run ball but the dog sniffs for a short while and then ignores it.
Your pups may be different (TemprementWise (sp)) But I'd give it a try. And most obviously dont let it run around any rooms without a ball. Just in case. (Pretty Obv.
Thanks and I hope my opinion helps,
Vicky x

I have kept hamstyers for years and dogs and never had any incidents :)
No hamsters now but have 4 spiny mice and 4 dogs (got spinies as they have a longer lifespan than hamsters which is why I stopped having hammies)

We have over the past few years had hamsters.  Great till they die....children and myself got very upset.  Each of the hamsters went aroung nicely in the ball but the last one kept banging into a wall till the end fell off, no matter what we did putting the lid on, the hamster always managed to get it off.  When and if you have the hamster in the ball dont take your eyes off it else you will have problems.

Hi Emmalou.  What a time you are having.  If the hamster makes the child happy thats all that counts.  I nearly cried when I heard of their plight.  Cant imagine how they feel. 

In our house we have 3 hamsters, 2 gerbils, 2 snakes, and 4 dogs with pups on the way all live well together.  Can be a bit of an interesting one when one pet goes missing!!!!   ALL Hands on deck!!!

Best of luck XXXX

We used to have hamsters and chinchillas with our dogs without any trouble. In the end we gave up on the rodents because I didn't have enough time for them and the dogs. I might suggest getting her another one in a year or so to make sure there's another one when the first one dies?