Hamsters as emotional support pets

[Maz]

Did you know that hamsters make good emotional support pets? One owner I am aware of, was a psychologist who had a hamster as a therapy pet in her room. Sometimes certain clients would be able to handle or stroke the hamster, which was very tame and happy to be handled by humans. In most cases it will be an owner with their own pet. I'm sure most of us can imagine why a hamster could be a good emotional support pet For this they need to be tame with humans and easily handled, and it is one reason for gently hand taming hamsters to be easily handled.

Hamsters can be very in tune with our emotions and respond well to gentleness. And can give a lot back. They can make us smile and even laugh and provide comfort by allowing us to stroke them.

Can a Hamster Qualify as an Emotional Support Animal?

An emotional support animal (ESA) is much more than a pet. An ESA fulfills a specific role as a therapeutic source to someone with an emotional or mental disability. By providing company, affection, and attention, an emotional support animal can make the difference for someone trying to overcome...

esadoctors.com

Emotional Support Animals UK

Emotional Support Animals UK Registration

www.esaorguk.com

"By looking after her, I learned how to look after myself"

What Taking Care of a Hamster Taught Me About Taking Care of Myself

"I often feel silly when I say my hamster saved my life."

themighty.com

This Manchester University research describes studies referring to "pet therapy" which includes hamsters

Evidence shows pets can help people with mental health problems

The study of 17 research papers by academics at the Universities of Manchester, Southampton and Liverpool, concludes that pets can help people manage their long-term mental health conditions. Published in BMC Psychiatry, the study reviewed papers on the impact of animals including cats, dogs...

www.manchester.ac.uk

 

[RainbowBrite]

I think hamsters are wonderful for people who have different mental health difficulties. Having a hamster can help give a purpose, get you up in the morning and have something nice to focus on. They really are wonderful animals.

 

[Maz]

I think they are wonderful pets for most people I can see how they could benefit someone with mental health difficulties, but also be a comfort to any owner, with the ups and downs of life. I've often found a hamster to be very comforting to interact with after a day of bad news and things going wrong! And knowing that I can focus on them for a while. They do seem to sense it as well.

 

[Socks Mum]

A man in Ukraine living under constant bombardment adopted a cat and said about their relationship, "I feel better, now I worry about her instead of myself". It's a strange thing. Everyone wants to feel needed. Animals give us so much.

 

[Maz]

They do give us a lot.

 

[Jain]

After having dogs for over 30 years but without one for the past 3 years we got a dwarfie because our home felt dead our little Pete has put life back into our home and call it my imagination but he really does respond to us like a dog and makes our days brighter

 

[Maz]

You know I sometimes think they are like little dogs at times! Certain reactions and looks. Doing the opposite of what you ask!

 

[Socks Mum]

Yes, definitely! Hamsters set up their nest in your heart. Giving a hamster a good life is an achievement, something you can be proud of.