My daughter wants a hamster, but..?

Question

How much does it really cost to buy a starter kit and hamster? I have no clue what the critter, cage, food, toys cost. Can anyone help? We live in an apartment, so we wouldn't be getting any supersized kit.

Answer 1

Well here is some intail cost numbers and info for syrian hamsters It will be best to get a syrian since this is your first hamster:

Cage: $20-40 (we will average 30)

Syrians will sometimes get stuck in Critter Trail and Sam/penplax tubes. Aquiruim cages can be expensive and also hard to find and buy.

Here are two wire cages you may want to try:

http://www.petco.com/product/106173/PETC...

http://www.petco.com/product/106282/PETC...

Otherwise i think you really should make a bin cage. They are really suprior because they can be huge and cost nothing compared to wire and plastic cages. Here are two links on how to make bin cages(>$20):

http://www.ehow.com/how_2101498_hamster-...

http://www.freewebs.com/happyhamsterhelp...

Wheel: Comes with the cage usually (5)

A wheel comes with the two wire cages i showed you. But many people turn to a different wheel. If you choose to make a bin cage you will need to buy a wheel.

http://www.petco.com/product/105026/PETC...

Beeding: $10 (if you go to a Tractor Supply like store(farming) you can get a huge bage of wood chips for 10 dollars)Also many people choose to get carefresh bedding: http://www.petco.com/product/3370/Carefr...

If you are on a budget i alos suggest unbleached tolite paper.(3-7 for a LOT!) All you do is rip to squares from the roll and put them in the cage your hamster will love it

Food: $5. But this really depends on what way you decide to go here are two foods i reccommend:

http://www.petco.com/product/106049/Vita...

http://www.petco.com/product/10389/Kayte...

Bottle: ($5)Water bottles are a MUST! Here is a link. You can choose the size you want:http://www.petco.com/product/105615/PETC...

Hamster: 10-20(average 15)Now this really depends where you live many people it costs less than 10 dollars, but i live in NJ and most hamsters cost $15.

Hamster Ball: $7(not needed)

This is not a must be i reccommend it. This is great to let your hamster out in to get exsercize and can be a good place to put her when you are cleaning the cage.

http://www.petco.com/product/101969/Supe...

Chew toys: ($3)You may have some fruit trees you can use, but you do need chew toys. Here are one you may like to buy.

http://www.petco.com/product/6560/Small-...

Hamster Boook:($7) This is highly reccommend for all hamster owners, expecailly first time owners here is a great book:

http://www.petco.com/product/7737/Hamste...

So now the total really depends on which way you go.

Bin Cage, Carfresh bedding or wood chips, everything else, W/ hamster~~ $63

Bin Cage, Carfresh bedding or wood chips, everything else, W/out hamster~~ $48

Bin Cage, Tolite paper, everything else, W/ hamster~~ $58

Bin Cage, Tolite paper, everything else, W/ hamster~~ $40

Two or three level Cage, Carfresh or wood chips, everything else, W/ Hamster~~ $ 70

Two or three level Cage, Carfresh or wood chips, everything else, W/out Hamster~~ $ 55

Two or level three Cage, Tolite paper, everything else, W/ Hamster~~ $ 65

Two or three level Cage, Tolite paper, everything else, W/out Hamster~~ $ 40

You can also subtract $14 from any of those if you don’t get a ball and books. But if you don't get a book i suggest printing out some of the pages form this website as it is a good referense and will be good for you to have easy acess to. http://www.freewebs.com/happyhamsterhelp...

You could also add $ 2.50 for a food bowl if you want, but you can also use any small ceramic container you may have.

http://www.petco.com/product/106845/PETC...

You could also add $3 if you want to buy a hamster hideout if you want. http://www.petco.com/product/10219/Small...

The only big difference between the syrains and dwarf needs are the cages. If you do indeed decide to go with a dwarf than dont get a cage with any wire on it as they can easily escape from those. As for everything else it is basically the same.

But i do reccommend getting a syrian if this is your first hamster because they are easier to care for and handel in many aspects.

(for more info on syrians and the other hamster breeds (and hamster care) check out http://www.freewebs.com/happyhamsterhelp... )

It also cost money each month or so to renew hamster items. Including: chewing sticks, wooden toys, edible houses, food, and bedding.

So here is the bimonthly upkeep pricing for an average two months owning a hamster:

Food: $7

Bedding: $10

New Toys(replacements): $10

So the average two months of owning a hamster is 27 dollars, $13.50 a month. This will vary each month and also depending on your food and bedding and what toys need to be replaced.

Hope I helped!!

Good luck!!

Answer 2

in all includeing a lifetime supply of food, about 150 dollars unless you buy a cage on craigslist, ebay or a garage sale or resale shop.

Answer 3

The food is about 5 dollars or less at walmart (5 lb bag). This bag has lasted me since last fall and still going! I got a great cage (Hartz brand) at walmart for 20 dollars. The bedding is about 5 dollars at walmart. The toys and chews run between 3 and 6 dollars at walmart also. I got my hamster free from a pet store. Alot of times they have "teenage" hamsters that haven't sold and need to make room for the babies that sell better.

Answer 4

as get it