How much does it cost to get a hamster? and what kind to buy?

Question

I want to get a hamster but I want to know how much it will cost to get all the supplies and what not.

:)

and which kind of hamster should I get?

Answer 1

The ideal hamster for a first-timer should be a Syrian hamster. At pet stores they're called "Long haired teddy bear hamsters" or "short haired hamsters." They're bigger than dwarfs, but they tend to be friendlier and they also aren't as wiggly. But of course, If you decide to go with a dwarf, their price is a little higher (by higher I mean like $5-$10 more depending on where you live) and you need to get 2 of any dwarf you get because they're social creatures. Syrians, you can only get one, because they will fight until one dies. I would recommend a Syrian. Hamsters can vary from $5-$20. Syrians are about $10, dwarf are about $16 (And remember you need two dwarfs.) Their cages usually run from $60 being

the highest, and $10 being the lowest. I would say a good quality, fun cage is going to be between $20-$30. Here are some:

  http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

^ This one runs a little expensive but it has LOTS of space and plenty to do.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

^ I have this one and I recommend it.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

Just remember that with any of the cages above, buy this water bottle because they can't drink out of the one it comes with: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

Here are some cheap cages:

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

Then you need to buy food, which costs about $4 a bag. I would get Kaytee Fiesta food which looks like this: http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...

And there you go. All you need. And you don't need to buy treats, because the occasional carrot, strawberry, blueberry, or any fruit is a yummy treat for your critter!

(avoid celery, lettuce, tomatoes, and avocado.)

Have fun with your new pet!

Answer 2

My dwarf hamsters were about $8 each and the supplies were about $85. But I wasted half of it on those plastic tunnel cages when I could have made a bin cage for $15-20. You should make a bin cage as well. It'll save you a lot of money and be much easier to clean!

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgurl=h...

Edit: Teddy bears are syrian hamsters. Pet stores just make up names for them. So really, they're all basically the same. It makes no difference.

And don't buy any plastic tunnel cages because they are a PAIN to clean and break easily! Trust me! I had a CritterTrail 3 cage!

Answer 3

i bought a dwarf hamster. it was only about fifteen dollars. and the cage and food and supplies was about 30 dollars ao i would say around 45 dollars

Answer 4

Buy a dwarf hamster, but not the white ones. White ones are aggressive. It would cost about $50 to properly care for one. But I'd buy two they are very social. Get two females.

Answer 5

I have two dwarfs. They cost around sixty dollars (for cages, toys, food, balls, water bottles, food bowls and hammies.)

If you go with a dwarf, get a male because they are sweeter. I tend to cuddle with my dwarf robo than I do with my female (she bites HARD).

Anyway! Good luck with your soon to be new hamster!

Answer 6

my hamster was about 10 bucks. get a dwarf hamster. there the best! trust me i know. i have had all kinds of hamsters.

Answer 7

I suggest getting a teddy bear hamster they are very cute and come in a variety of colors this type is easy to train and does not bite. They usually run for about 10-15 dollars. This is a good inexpensive cage that is easy to clean and will last you a while-

http://www.petco.com/product/12283/Super...

(you'll need to replace the wheel with a metal one, http://www.petco.com/Shop/petco_ProductL...

Here is some info if you decide to buy a teddy bear.

   1. Wire or Metal: These kind of cages have been around as long as hamsters have been kept as pets. The cage is easy to clean and because of the material, odors are not absorbed and there is plenty of ventilation. The primary problem with most bared cages in the past was a lack of space. But now-a-days there are 2 and 3 story models that are available, so lack of space is no longer an issue. The only thing you need to be worried about when purchasing a multi-storied barred cage is that there is not too much space between the stories in case of a fall. There are a few disadvantages to wire or metal cages - you must make sure the gap between the bars is not too large or else your teddy bear hamster will likely escape (if a hamster can get his head through the gap then the rest of its body will easily slide through too!) You can get around this by choosing a wire cage that has been designed for mice. The other disadvantage of wire cages is that if the water bottle leaks and the dampness is not cleaned up then the metal can eventually, over time, erode which can cause harm to your teddy bear hamster.

   2. Glass Aquarium: This is probably one of the least favored options. While this type of cage provides plenty of room for your hamster to move around and explore, there are more disadvantages than there are advantages. Most importantly, there is poor ventilation, which creates an unhealthy environment for your hamster. The glass aquarium is also very heavy to move around. You must have a cover over it, a wire one is best. You can purchase these at many pet stores. Some stores offer screen tops, but these are not sturdy enough, as teddy bear hamsters are very adept at chewing through a screen top in no time at all! However, having said that, with a good sturdy cover, glass aquariums are nearly escape-proof.

   3. Plastic: With this type of cage the advantages seem to far outweigh the disadvantages, making this possibly the most ideal choice of cage for your teddy bear hamster. The ones on the market today allow the imagination to run wild! You can find many models of them at most good pet stores. There are a large variety of tubes and compartments that can be purchased as “add-ons” to your cage allowing you to “design” your own unique hamster home. If you wanted to you could even connect to a second cage which could be a hamster gym or possibly a breeding house. The options are endless. You can make the cage as simplistic or elaborate as you like. Plastic cages do not absorb odour and they provide good ventilation. The only concern with plastic cages that I could find was the lack of doors to get the hamster out for the much needed personal contact and possibly the lack of ventilation in the tubes themselves.

   4. Homemade: If you are handy at making things or know someone who is, you can have a cage made specially for your hamster. In most cases, these cages are constructed from wood, wire mesh, and/or Plexiglas. Although this type of cage can be attractive and fun to make, wood acts as an absorbent and so extra bedding is needed at all times and the cage must be cleaned more often than with other types of cages. The other drawback is that hamsters love to gnaw on things, eventually damaging the wood. However, if you have the materials, the time and expertise, this might be a good option to consider. Another effective and inexpensive cage is one made from plastic storage containers, with a sturdy wire top.

Regardless of the type of cage selected, make sure all the doors and openings are secure so that your teddy bear hamster can't open it or chew his way out. Also, be sure there aren't any spaces large enough for him to squeeze through and escape. Look for a cage that will be easy to dismantle and clean, nothing is more frustrating than cleaning a cage that doesn't come apart easily or has a lot of small spaces that are hard to clean.

A cage should not be constructed of any absorbent materials such as soft woods, cardboard or fabric. If there is paint on the cage you should ensure that the paint is lead free. Ventilation is extremely important—there should be flow of fresh air, but not a cage that allows drafts.

Whichever style of cage you choose for your hamster, there’s one very important thing you must keep in mind - it should be located in an area where the room temperature will remain stable without drafts and away from direct sunlight.

So, shop around and check out your options and have fun choosing the best home possible for your teddy bear hamster! Once this has been taken care of you can focus on the care and feeding of your teddy bear hamster.

   1. A knowledgeable dealer will naturally advise you, but if you are very uncertain take along an acquaintance who is familiar with teddy bear hamsters. Hamsters can almost always be found at good pet stores.

   2. Don't go to buy a hamster until the afternoon. The animals are rather lively then and you can evaluate them better. In contrast to guinea pigs and mice they are active at dusk and at night and prefer to be left alone to rest during the day.

   3. Choose a young hamster about 3 to 4 weeks old. Young animals become hand tame more quickly than older ones.

   4. Look for any possible signs of illness - bare places in the fur; sneezing; dry eye; teeth too long or nails too long; limping or dragging a leg; constant scratching or reddened skin.

   5. After you've bought your hamster, take home some of the nest material from it's cage. This will make it easier for the hamster to get used to its new cage at your home.

Choosing The Right Teddy Bear Hamster:

A healthy hamster has a smooth, shining coat, bright eyes without any discharge, a dry nose, and a clean a**s; it's body is almost symmetrically cylindrical. Apart from that, it should make a lively impression, but if it has just come out of a deep sleep, this may not always be guaranteed.

In contrast, the coat of an ailing hamster looks unkempt and dull; the animal has sunken flanks and often a dirty a**s. Inflamed eyes or a nasal discharge can also be a sign of illness. If the hamster is "wobbly" on its legs, trembles, sneezes, or wheezes, you should point it out to the dealer, but don't buy the animal. If an animal has diarrhea (recognizable by dirty fur around the a**s), you should not buy any other animal from the same cage.

Male or Female?:

The s*x you choose is not important. Some say that males become hand tame more quickly, but experts say they have had various experiences with each gender. Be guided by your own feelings when you are buying and take the teddy bear hamster that most appeals to you.

Differentiating Between Sexes:

In the male the distance between the anal opening and the genital opening is clearly larger than it is in the female, and males have a more pointed rear end. In the sexually mature male (from the fourth to the fifth week of life), the testes are clearly recognizable to the left and right of the a**s.

The New Home:

Before you get your new teddy bear hamster, set up the cage and choose a permanent location for it. It's best if you bring the hamster home in its little transport box the quickest way possible, because the unusual circumstances intensify its efforts to free itself as quickly as possible.

When you get home, put the carrying box in the cage, open it, and wait until the hamster comes out by itself. Take the old nest material you got at the time of purchase of the animal and put it in the sleeping house. It bears its scent and will signal: this is my home, even if the surroundings don't match anymore.

Careful Acclimation:

Most hamsters are at first quite confused and frightened by the move and the many new impressions. Normally it takes about a week until the hamster has gotten used to its new surroundings. There are a few things you can do to help it get used to its new home...

    * Cover the cage with a light cloth to allow it to investigate its new home in peace.

    * Limit yourself to changing food and water.

    * At first, don't change anything in the cage; your hamster will then feel at home more quickly.

    * Postpone visits from friends who want to meet your new pet.

Now all you have to do is choose a great name for your new little friend!

Answer 8

it all depends on wht type of hamster u get and where u buy it, ive seen prices go from $4-$30 but they were at different places. the averge hamster cage is $20-$30... i would reccopmend u get ur hamster from a breeder they live muuuch longer like a few years or so and the ones from the shops often live for only a few months