Hamsters aren't for everyone. Even though they have a reputation as a good "starter" pet for children, they may not be great pets for kids because of their tendency to bite and nocturnal habits.

But I had hamsters as pets when I was a child and into adulthood, and there's something delightful about these furry little critters. As with any pet, it's important to understand the responsibility that comes with taking an animal into your home. Even a child's pet must be closely observed by adults to be sure the animal is being fed, watered and cleaned on a regular basis.

For that reason - and because hamsters are most active and noisy at night - it's a good idea to find a home for the hamster cage that is outside a bedroom or human sleeping area. A family room or area where there is lots of activity in the evening is a good place to locate the cage.

Hamsters are also nice because, when cleaned regularly, they tend to have less odor than some other rodents. Most animals do better in pairs; not so with the hamster, which tends to be a solitary creature. In fact, while you may be able to keep two male hamsters together, females will fight with any other resident of their area.

(Plus, males and females together will result in more hamsters than you can easily care for.) By bringing home just one hamster, you also reduce the risk that one in a pair has been sexed incorrectly - a common occurance in pet stores.

Both teddy bear and dwarf hamsters are easy to find. Teddy bear hamsters are a little larger and easier to handle. I have owned and enjoy both, but recommend the teddy bear ones for kids.

When you select a hamster, either from a breeder, a home that made the mistake of getting a pair, a pet store or a humane society, look for an animal that has bright eyes and is alert, with no trace of a dirty or wet tail area. If the hamster is a pet for a child, it is best to have that child select a critter that is inquisitive and doesn't shy away in fear. Put one hand into the cage and quietly leave it there. Pick a hamster that comes up to investigate your hand, and doesn't try to bite.

Most hamsters do bite, because they have poor eyesight and rely on their sense of smell to tell them what's going on. If you stick your hand down into the cage, especially when your pet is sound asleep, it's likely to react first and ask questions later. Let your hamster smell you before you reach for it, and tempt it with a nice treat.

For housing, don't try to make your own - purchase a sturdy cage. I recommend the kind that has a wire top fitting into a plastic base, as long as the method of attachment is sturdy, without parts that will break easily. Those provide the best ventilation, and if you have a child providing care, such a lightweight cage is easier to clean. The housing with plastic tubes for hamsters to play in are fun but take a bigger commitment to cleaning. Most hamsters prefer to go to the bathroom as far away from where they sleep as possible, and those tubes are excellent places to potty. Luckily, they are fairly easy to detach and can be cleaned with warm, soapy water.

Once your hamster has chosen its bathroom spot, you'll have a bit easier of a time, as you can clean that area daily and leave the rest of the cage for weekly or biweekly cleaning. If the hamster is using a spot in the cage, put a metal jar lid or other slightly heavy container under the bedding. That lid can be lifted out and dumped daily, making it much easier to keep the entire area dry. There are also "litterboxes" that you can buy for your hamster that will serve the same purpose, but remember that the hamster chooses the potty place - you can't put the litterbox where you want it to go.

Exercise is an essential part of hamster care. An exercise wheel is par for the course in most cage setups. But common slatted wheels can be a danger because your hamster could get its foot caught. I have not had that happen, but I have found that hamsters seem to enjoy solid wheels more - they run for longer periods. Solid wheels also tend to be better made and are easier to keep oiled, eliminating squeaking sounds in the night

A good diet of lab blocks (a type of pellet-like food in 1-inch chunks), some fresh vegetables and water will keep your hamster happy and healthy. Bagged pellets with seeds and grain is less desirable, because your highly intelligent little hamster will pick out the good stuff and leave the more healthy pellets behind. And bulk food is a poor choice, as it is often infested with small bugs or spoiled.

Because hamsters' teeth continuously grow, it's vital to provide something to chew on. Lab blocks make a great diet because they do wear down the teeth, but sticks of untreated wood really help. You can also purchase special chew toys for hamsters in pet stores, although I've never had a hamster that enjoyed those as much as plain wood.

While you may think cedar shavings will help eliminate odor, they can be very dangerous for your small pet. The same hydrocarbons that make cedar smell good can cause respiratory, liver and kidney problems in animals. Pine may pose the same problems, although fewer pet owners seem to have trouble with it. Look for kiln-dried pine or paper bedding instead.

Jennifer Gardner is a free-lance writer and editor and a board member at Heartland Humane Society in Corvallis. She enjoys writing about all animals but specializes in rabbits and other small pets. If you have questions or comments about this column or other pet issues, please e-mail Jennifer at jennifer@visualpeople.com or write c/o The Gazette-Times.