Reacting to a Hamster Care Book from the 80s: How Far We've Come!

After looking at thrift books I found this vintage Hamster care book made in the 1980s, read through it with me to see some of the fascinating hamster myths that used to be very popular back then when caring for hamsters! This makes me thankful to see how much hamster care has changed since then 🤯
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[@duda5157]

Thanks to your videos my mom allowed me to get a hamster! she always thought it was cruel the way people treated hamsters so she never allowed me to get one but when I showed her your videos and how is possible to give a hamster some proper care she finally said yes! Thanks again Victoria

[@gaywaterfrog]

Your mom is awesome!!!! 😍

[@octobertheeighth]

Wow, props to your mom. For allowing herself to be educated obviously, but also normally when a kid says their parents won't let them get a ham, it's because they don't like rodents or think they smell/are aggressive, just don't want a pet, things like that. Whereas your mom's reason had only the welfare of the animal in mind. You're lucky to have such a great mom, and she's lucky to have such an intelligent and compassionate child!

[@justalyene1]

wow ur so lucky! my hamster died a few days a go. 💔

[@VictoriaRaechel]

That's so exciting and sounds like you have a real awesome mom! ❤

[@ashspades5307]

Awwwwwwww this made me smile I’m happy for you and I’m glad people like Victoria can help in ways like this.

[@durian_pawtong]

A book from 1987… I can’t help but imagine another 30 years later, we might get the same reaction about hamster care 😂 Thanks for sharing ❤

[@octobertheeighth]

While I am slightly horrified that something published around when I was born would be considered vintage 🤣, would love to see more of these videos. It's really interesting how decent the food section was, and funny how the small cage thing has continued to this day but the food thing has actually gotten worse.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Haha don't worry anything in the year 1999 would be considered vintage as well :)

[@-afyx-]

Very interesting video. Even now there are people who spread their incomplete and bad knowledge, only today they do it in the online space. My opinion is that the Dunning-Kruger effect can be found in other areas of life as well. I am glad that you provide us with such a wide range of knowledge Victoria!

[@DEBLUVX]

How is your comment 1day ago but the video Posted 34min ago?

[@JustHamsters]

@@DEBLUVX They're a member so they can watch videos early

[@DEBLUVX]

@@JustHamsters oh that’s so cool I didn’t know that 😮

[@Furby_nerd1620]

​@@JustHamsters same

[@reesegriff5812]

I love how much work u do to give your hamsters good care. Ilysm

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Thank you!

[@DedeDedeDedeDedeDedeDede]

I have a serían hamster called Derek. She is adorable! She isn’t the cuddliest. She will bite if you try to touch her. She is a happy hamster, in a big cage. She is so cute when she stuffs food in the cheek pouches. I have a question. Should I try to hold her or should I leave her be? I have an adorable cambels dwarf hamster called bubbles. She is so old. We have had her for 3 years I think. She is very cuddly. She will crawl onto your hand if you put it in the cage. Because she is super cute I always want to treat her. She is getting really fat, like she can’t even climb onto the wheel. She also climbs on the bars, but not in a monkey baring way. She just wants attention and cuddles because if you put your hand in she will go on your hand and then nit climb on the bars when you put her back. Is that a bad thing? What should I do? Thank you so much for teaching me about hamsters. I have no idea where my hámsteres would be now if Also, my friends socks hamster got wet tail. What should I say? I’m not sure weather to lecture her on bad hamster care or comfort her. Edit: her hamster got put down yesterday.

[@ronclark9724]

@@DedeDedeDedeDedeDedeDede Don't lecture, most refuse to listen... Better to watch a proper hamster care KZbin video with her... Watch several of Victoria's videos, Victoria is correct...

[@DedeDedeDedeDedeDedeDede]

Derek died a few weeks back. Don’t know how to feel realy. I miss her so much but everyone is saying “it’s just a hamster, get over it” but I can’t I miss her so much I didn’t love her enough and now I’ll never get to see her again.

[@xthetansiblingsx5405]

This is really cute, a book in the 1987. And I'm just born a year ahead. I had hamsters when I was young, honestly back then, there wasn't even a computer nor the internet. So I remembered the hamsters was in a tiny cage with a tiny wheel. Everything there was completely wrong. I learned a lot, especially after I came across your videos. Hamster care really did change through these years. And yes, would love to hear more from the other two books too! xx

[@Wolf_Ghost]

We kinda had a recession in the early 80s. My cage back then only had cedar chips. Had an all plastic body with an ugly yellow detachable bottom, which had a wire mesh. The hamster would nibble at the wire bottom. They never suggested a lot of substrate. But getting that yellow bottom clean was so hard with the mesh. I had a female as my first hamster. What we didn't know is that she was knocked up. I woke up one morning to a pile of pink babies. If you read the wikipedia about the domestication of the Syrian hamster it is the most amusing story you'll ever read. Btw, the babies we had, once they were grown enough, we just gave them back to the pet store. The practice was common(hamster farming, which has a wikipedia article too).

[@Proclivity1]

Hey Victoria! I commented a couple weeks ago that I got the Song Mics pet playpen. My female Chinese hamster absolutely loves her 1500 sq in cage (shes not a big chewer at all)- and I am able to give her so much more! Shes happy, and I finally get to see her burrowing! Unfortunately, she mixed her sand and coco soil the other day…. It was-so- much fun to clean up😭. Thank you for everything! Love your videos ❤

[@hallie6580]

I had that book as a kid given from one of my kindergarten teachers, loved the pictures as a kid but definitely outdated on hamster care. I am truly so grateful for how you have educated people on hamster care and set a new standard for how we take care of them ❤❤❤

[@MyCuteHamster00]

It's very interesting to see this old book that shaped how people see and treat hamsters today. Thank you!❤

[@ronclark9724]

I recall a roommate back during the early 1980s who worked at a mom and pop pet store, this was long before nationwide corporate chains, checked out a library book about hamsters. The misinformation in it was astounding, even back then. My roommate ended the monkey baring using a twenty gallon aquarium, considerably much more spacious than the small pet store cage not much larger than a shoebox. That library book recommended a ten gallon aquarium... Today you need a 110 gallon aquarium to meet a standard of 900 square inches, or a 75 gallon aquarium to meet a standard of 600 square inches, or a 40 gallon breeder aquarium to meet a standard of 450 square inches... Unfortunately pet stores, even the national chain corporate pet stores, are still selling small cages not much larger than a shoebox...

[@cinderdraco9420]

This was my issue when I first started owning hamsters. I am a big book worm so obviously a book on hamsters is the way to go. Thankfully I discovered you before I got my second hamster and completely changed my care around. I don't go to books anymore for pet care.

[@fullmoonantics]

I have to say several months ago I did not do my research into hamster care when I bought my son his first one. Let’s just say within 2 weeks I did a deep dive into the recommended size cage and found the one I was told was good from a shop all about animals was far to small as was the wheel that was included. I feel like I’ve learned so much about hamster care and wish I had found a channel such as this sooner. Luckily though i did find my own information and he lives like a king in a palace. I did find it funny though how shocked my mom was whom was raised in the 60s when she saw the cage she thought it was far to large so I’ve been able to educate her as well it’s been an enlightening experience. Keep spreading the right information I’m sure it’ll make some hammys out there happy or possibly even save them.

[@sophienioche4949]

I used to have this book when I first started owning hamsters…found it in a charity shop in 2019! After I found your channel though it quickly went in the bin so it’s so funny to see you reading through it now!

[@kirugai]

This is literally the same book I've learn about hamsters from for the first time in my life as a child! (Just translated to my language)

[@VictoriaRaechel]

So interesting!!

[@lexTS89]

I was literally watching an old video of yours just hoping for a new one. 😭😭 Thank you!! 😂😂💕

[@TheRealCHEESE315]

Same!!!😂

[@shanoevo3548]

Yes, please read more books! 😊

[@hannahshamsters2731]

looollll that "hehh" (at 4:54)

[@LisaJustus-cx9bf]

Yes, would be interesting to see inside those other two books!

[@MyMiniZoo]

Definitely a great video! Good idea! ❤ hope all the pets are doing well. I would be interested in seeing more of these!!

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Thank you!!

[@hayleyxyz]

I really appreciate you spreading good care information! I didn't realise how much information out there is wrong/actively harmful before I found your channel.❤

[@sophiacharlie]

This is an amazing idea!!!! Your work on educating future pet owners is absolutely essential!!! Keep it up :)

[@username4735]

I read that book cover to cover as a kid!! Wow that brings back memories

[@MrJohnnyCash1932]

Yes please do more book reviews, thank you so much, great vid!

[@jxck_exorcist185]

please do the other books im really interested!!🥰🥰

[@amirahamza6116]

Milk!? That made me laugh so hard! You have to make another one if does 😭

[@rebekkavandenbrink8273]

This is so interesting! Please address the other books to!❤

[@AniFam]

Awesome~👍 Thank you for sharing the information in the book~🤗

[@ads.lifeee]

When the book said “Destroy animals with disease” 😮😢😂

[@animalitos_31]

It's good that you talk about things like that from reading these books, some must be wrong and nothing. I love your videos, I learn much more about hamsters 💖💖 Greetings from Chile

[@MarfeusM]

omg I had that exact book! it was given to me with my first hamster! wow nostalgia trip!

[@louisestewart7508]

We loved the video more book reviews please Victoria 😊

[@jluke1083]

Yes please! More book reviews!! 😁

[@blastically]

Back in the early 1950's I had a hamster and all my friends had hamsters. I've noticed that the hamsters sold today are tamer, friendlier, and generally calmer than the hamsters back then. There have been many generations of selective breeding in hamster since the 1950's and apparently some of the wildness has been bred out of pet hamsters.

[@jksleftpinkytoe3264]

Thank you for making these videos, you helped me give a good life to my dwarf hamster willow. She passed yesterday, but she lived a long happy life thanks to everything you taught me.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

I'm sorry for your loss :(

[@hmcampbell]

I literally just discarded some truly atrocious fish, hamster, and gerbil care books at my library a few weeks ago. I hate to think of anybody actually trying to do research and ending up with these materials instead. But a lot of times staff with think to weed medical texts etc but not animal care! So it's my personal mission to discard them at whatever branches I work at lmao. Keep spreading the good word!!

[@elodie.w]

Love this vid so helpful xxx

[@polarmac5734]

I love this video, you should totally do another hamster book review

[@JuviTheLion]

I was hyena laughing at the "in less than 3 years, you WILL be FREE" part, please continue!

[@Hoofpicksandhorseshoes]

Omg second love ur channel ur amazing. RIP Mable

[@Jillyscorner]

Omg hi Victoria! I love ur videos and how much effort you truly put into them! Thank you so much for all the knowledge on hamsters that you put out there . After researching so much, and watching your videos, and making a presentation, for my birthday, I will be getting a hamster. My birthday was on Tuesday, but I’ll be getting my hamster in early April. Also, do you thinks that a 40 gallon tank would be suitable? I will probably end up upgrading anyway tho. Bc I feel that the bare minimum is not something that you should see as something that your pet is going to love. I actually happen to have a 75 gallon from a past fish though.

[@Happycornlife123]

But I feel like 75 gallon would be a lot better. Although. I actual,y have a 75 gal. And it’s pretty narrow. Idk know if urs is, but mine might be. So just keep that in mind

[@lotusflower474]

I had my first hamster in 1994 and read the hamster books at the time and they were similar! The ones I read were an improvement on this one though. And yeah the one thing I remember old hamster books getting semi right was food. I used to supplement my hamster’s food with vegetables and stuff because books recommended it. I was amazed as an adult how many things a hamster can eat though.

[@Supersyrian11]

I lost count of how many myths there were a long time ago!😂

[@panqueque445]

I wasn't around in the 80s, but I was in the 90s. There were tons of books like this going around. Back then, if you wanted good, trustworthy information, you bought a book. People didn't really fact check back then, especially since fact checking involved buying more books to contrast against each other. All the kids who grew up raising their hamsters the way these books taught them, are parents now. So yeah, it's no wonder that the majority of people have all these wrong ideas about hamsters.

[@erwtjes_salami]

My syrian went in torpor a few days ago, it was so scary but I warmed him up and Im so happy he now acts like nothing happend

[@Livslittlefloofs]

Great video❤️ Would you consider doing a video on hamster food, particularly lab blocks are necessary?🙂

[@Laura-gw5of]

Oh wow, I actually had one of those books you held up at the end! The big one with the green title writing. I was born in 1987 so that probably makes sense 🤣

[@Oboromaru]

I have a suggestion for another book like this, if you are able to find it. The Hamtaro Hamster Care Guide. It's more recent than this book, from 2002. But the main difference being they slapped an anime character onto it to market to very young children. It may be easier to find scans/digital version, since it seems the physical paperback has become a bit pricey in recent years (or pricey for a book, at least). Would make for an interesting video though. I never knew it existed until just a couple years ago, and I was bewildered to say the least lol

[@elizabethhodson696]

"a release of nervous tension" So they understand that it's a stress induced behaviour, but think it's totally okay and normal for a pet to be stressed?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Literally 🥲

[@justalyene1]

hay vic! im pretty sad rn. my hammy died peacefully in her sleep after having trouble breathing yesterday morning 💔. ty for being there ❤❤

[@VictoriaRaechel]

I'm sorry for your loss :(

[@justalyene1]

@@VictoriaRaechel ❤️

[@TheRealCHEESE315]

You are my favourite hamster KZbinr and is it ok from your hamster to sleep in there sand bath? Just wondering😊

[@lubmar1n3]

i’m not so sure but my hamster was found sleeping one day when i got home from school and he died a few days later

[@TheRealCHEESE315]

@@lubmar1n3 my hamster sleeps there all the time

[@lubmar1n3]

@@TheRealCHEESE315 ohh then they’re probably just comfortable there

[@KJ-il9de]

@@TheRealCHEESE315 I don’t have a hamster, but I do have gerbils. While these are different species they do have some similarities. Anyways, my gerbils sometimes sleep in the open. From the research I have done this means your small pet is comfortable with you and trusts you.

[@TheRealCHEESE315]

@@KJ-il9de good to know!😄

[@presentpossible]

i think i had a book about fish from the same series. the photography looks so familiar. (so 80s.) i wonder how misguided that information was... i haven't had fish since i was a kid. please do the other books too! also your highlighter looks great!

[@jgfchan]

Thank you😊

[@jacobhoward7288]

Those older pet books are still at many libraries here in America. I remember one about rabbits that actually had a chapter at the end giving you step by step instructions (with pictures) on how to skin the rabbit for it's pelt when it dies.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

😳

[@Circusofvalue]

At least it recommended you wait until it passed.

[@susanwaltman2607]

I had hamsters in the 1970s. Syrians were the only hamsters available then. I never knew there were other breeds of hamsters until recently. Gerbils were also popular then but I never had one.

[@aldclilly]

Love your vids❤

[@jack-a-lopium]

Oh boy, I used to have that wheel for my hammy, though I was more like age 6, so before this book even came out. I AM SO OOOOOOOOOOOOOOLD! lol

[@SapphireStar23]

Pretty much how I was expecting the information in that book to be.

[@amandamartin1880]

I would LOVE to hear about more dumb outdated hamster books please. It's surprisignly fun! I love all your video, Thank you for everything you have thaught me. If you didn't have a youtube channel, my hamster would have lived its whole life in a three-level miniature petstore cage with oxbow pelets, so thank you a lot, you're the best!!!

[@vickichristian2364]

That looks like the exact same book I had in ‘87 when I was 16. Sadly I didn’t know any better how hamsters really needed to live. You can’t do if you don’t know how❤ I thought cage biting was them wearing out there teeth and climbing was part of them doing exercises.

[@guineapigchronicles]

Omg I was 4 years old in 1987 damn I feel ancient now😢. I love hamsters and all animals. Let me tell you in 3rd grade in the 90s,the care for all small animals sucked!! It has come miles from long ago

[@hamstercamoru]

I'm still waiting for your new video next week!🥰

[@bellahello-ul5xw]

Pleas do a part 2

[@DEBLUVX]

I read that same book when I was a kid I bought it from a book Fair

[@leaving..]

Interesting how much the advice has changed! My gerbils are showing boredom signs and they r in a detolf and idk how to help 🥲

[@hollyspets681]

bit of a random question but does anyone know if kiln dried pine shavings are safe because I have heard mixed opinions on wether or not it is?? 😁💗

[@annemabrie2287]

I went to a thrift store today and there was a very small bird cage with plastic hamster toys in there... It was even labelled as "hamster cage - €15". What can I do in situations like these to help future hamster owners?

[@Pink97250]

Hi Victoria, I’m getting a hammy soon and I was wondering if I want to change or add something to its enclosure would I get my hammers sent on it first or should I just put it in?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

You can just place it in :)

[@julzoffaith8776]

Hey Victoria, could you do a reaction video to the animal vigilante? He is a smaller channel.

[@filipturek1015]

I am going to pick up a hamster book. Let’s see if they have a little bit of good care

[@islaflowerheart3906]

I GOT MY LIBRARIAN TO GET RID OF ALL MISINFORMATIVE HAMSTER BOOKS!!!!! ( and fish, rabbit and guinea pig :)

[@VictoriaRaechel]

That's so awesome!!

[@jeanene1083]

Hi Victoria I love your vids❤

[@PookieDookie277]

Thank you tori, I went to a critter trail with 180sq to a tank with about 200sq to a enclosure with a grand total of 10058sq thx so much!

[@K0choTheArtist]

Ten thousand and more? WOWWWW you must be a great owner! 👏 to you :)

[@PookieDookie277]

Omg sorry 1058sq lol sorry@@K0choTheArtist

[@K0choTheArtist]

@@PookieDookie277 Still pretty good for that upgrade amount!

[@storyforkidsbygg5728]

Hi Victoria I like this video so much and I will thank you for it.But a question ate me this month and I really need an answer.Is wood chips and hay safe for hamsters? Because I already bought them and... don't know what to do with them.If they are not safe tell me what to do with them.🐹💕😘

[@ShwintyKat]

But what was the book website? I wanna know!

[@VictoriaRaechel]

thriftbooks.com

[@surprisewords]

Can you pleaaaaaaaaaaazzzzzzzzssssssss pleeeeeas please make a video of what you can find outside for hamster enrichment? If you like this video, copy it and send it back to Victoria .

[@BrendaDrummond]

When you say feed or don't feed pellets, it's up to you, do you mean lab blocks? I know people use that term interchangeably with "pellets". Or do you mean the little fiber based pellets that often come in commercial seed mixes? Thanks!

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Yes, pellets/lab blocks!

[@kyeleeorgan8044]

I have a question if I don’t have a exotic vet around what do I do?

[@aubinal]

I have a really important question, how can I tell which herbs are good for my hammy since I make everything at home and rarely buy anything from stores except for bedding , seed mix , meal worms , toys and chews

[@VictoriaRaechel]

I have a video on the safe ones here :) kzbin.info/www/bejne/jaGrk4mibKx5r6M

[@SvenCurly]

The photos are cute. :)

[@EricKelly-nq5ug]

Hello ,How I can buy this book? I am from Burma .anyone can tell me?❤

[@michelle-wi4bu]

My hamster past away last week he was 3 that is long for a hamster his name was Oreo R.I.P

[@VictoriaRaechel]

I'm sorry for your loss of Oreo

[@shaylastorm]

Love this 🎉🙌 yes please do more 🙏 swear pet stores should have to have written knowledge on owning any animal! It should be a law or something! You're literally taking care of life and although that is exciting and all, pet stores should be able to educate and home any critter properly regardless of the times 🤗 let's do better 🎉❤

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Thank you Shayla!! I completely agree!

[@rocksquirtel1661]

I know that this isn't about hamsters but my rabbit keeps on itching its ear and i dont know if its normal.

[@ChantalsCritters]

Great video.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Thanks for wathcing!

[@ads.lifeee]

Hey Victoria 🙋‍♀️! My vet requested that our cats should both be brushing their teeth.🐱What type of cat toothpaste and brush do you use? And where did you get it from?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Hi! I use baby silicone straws for the brush part and the toothpaste I use the virbac CET enzymatic toothpaste!

[@ads.lifeee]

@@VictoriaRaechel thanks so much Victoria! :)

[@hermionethehamster]

Wow how much things change 😅

[@Jaeyu829]

Can you pls help me with my hamster? My hamster was comfortable getting on my hand and ate treats on my hand but recently every time I try to get him on my hand he runs away of stretches his leg so he won’t touch my hand and won’t eat treats. But the moment I put it back to it’s cage it will eat the treats.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

It sounds like he's nervous outside of the enclosure, I would try getting him used to your hand while in the enclosure some more :)

[@twixbar90]

What glue do u use Thats safe for hamsters?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

Non toxic school glue :)

[@Waltah_gato3]

I just saw a Video and there was like 6 hamsters in on 20 gal tank and they recorded them fighting and they had fed them pellets and sunflower seeds and stuffed them with yogurt drops😭

[@RandallNey]

Hi Victoria, I was wondering what your kitty's diets are?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

They’re raw fed :) I show their diets in my “feeding all my pets” video!

[@RandallNey]

@@VictoriaRaechel thank you, this was my daughter Sadie asking. I will pass on word to her!

[@roh677]

Yikes!! I was a kid in the 80s, and I had many hamsters. These crappy care guides were the only things available, so, suffice to say, my hamster care sucked. I currently have two Chinese hammies, and I'm dedicated to taking the best care of them. I just hope my past hammies don't hold it against me.

[@ashlynnheller8400]

You really can't blame yourself. You were 1. A kid, kids make mistakes either way. 2. You were doing the best with what information you had.

[@roh677]

@@ashlynnheller8400 Thank you.

[@VictoriaRaechel]

We live and learn! I'm sure your past hammies are happy to see today that you've made improvements for your current ones!

[@MizzPiePlayz]

I have an almost 3 year old dwarf hamster who hasn't been eating that much, She has been loosing weight and ive been trying to get her to eat. Im not sure what to do

[@VictoriaRaechel]

It'd be good to see a vet :)

[@MizzPiePlayz]

@@VictoriaRaechel okay thank you! :D

[@literyodadoz]

I had similiar book in late '80/early '90 in Polnad. It was sh**ty! Really sad from nowadays perspective :(

[@spinzulin]

I had the same one as a kid. 😂 and I was born 2001.

[@chloemisakiwisan7265]

My rainbow hamster was like 50-60 grams because of bad genetics in indonesia.

[@hammingcagebycuddles]

My hamster is 2 and a half years old and he is a Syrian hamster and he is losing hair on his head what do I do?

[@VictoriaRaechel]

You'll want to see the vet for diagnosis and treatment :)

[@hammingcagebycuddles]

@@VictoriaRaechel ok thank you 😊

[@nicholaslennox7722]

Victoria, can I make structures out of popsical sticks?

[@ashlynnheller8400]

Not Victoria but you can. Loads of people do.

[@zephyrwlf]

Vintage, lawl

[@VictoriaRaechel]

anything between 20-99 years of age is considered vintage :)

[@allywalsh9050]

Who else absolutely NEEDS to see her go through the rest of the books!🙋🏼‍♀️

[@petsinc.]

meee!!!

[@Amatureb]

meeee!

[@im_a_mushroom]

🙋🏻‍♀️

[@transgenderguineapigguy]

She should collab with other pet KZbinrs!!!

[@Mileyjadee]

Meeee