Zhu Zhu Pets: Like a Hamster Without the Mess and Death

Zhu Zhu Pets: Like a Hamster Without the Mess and Death

Zhu Zhu Pets are like pet rocks only cute. The trendy little toy looks and feels like a real hamster only it doesn't make a mess and will never die. Children can play with them without fear of being bitten and without worrying about being too rough. Sounds like a great toy, but is it?
A friend of mine had a real hamster growing up and learning to care for the small vulnerable pet was part of the fun. My friend had to earn the right to get a hamster by showing she was responsible enough to look after it properly. She had to clean the cage, give it fresh water and food, and make sure it was clean. The lesson of empathy was an important part of having such a cute little pet.
Zhu Zhu Pets offer the fun of a hamster without that responsibility. The company even markets the toy that way. Zhu Zhu Pets may be mess and death free but some important life lessons are lost by replacing a real pet with this cuddly toy. Children learn about empathy by having a pet, they learn about responsibility by having to care for it, and when that pet dies, they learn how to cope with death.
Zhu Zhu Pets may be all the rage this year, they may be the next Tickle Me Elmo or Cabbage Patch Doll, but I won't get one for my daughter. I'll stick with the real thing over this doppleganger hamster.
Learn more about Zhu Zhu Pets see: http://astore.amazon.com/zhu-zhu-pets-hamster-shop-20