So you’re thinking about getting a pet hamster, or maybe you already have one. Awesome! Hamsters are low-maintenance pets that are ideal for people who don’t have the space or time to care for a larger pet. These adorable fluffballs are a lot of fun to play with. This article will answer some considerations about getting a hamster, especially the caring cost.
How Much Time Do Hamsters Need?
How much time your pet will require depends on what species of hamster you have. Different hamster species will have got different requirements, so to create a tailored answer to this question, we’ve split our recommendations up according to the three main types of pet hamster available.
Syrian- Syrian hamsters must be kept on their own, so they need a little more time and affection from their owners in order to be happy. Your hamster will need lots of bedding in its cage so that it can satisfy its natural burrowing instincts.
Syrian hamsters are also a little larger than other hamsters, so will require a little more food and space, and may need cleaning out a bit more often than their smaller counterparts.
Chinese and Dwarf- Chinese and Dwarf hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters, so these little creatures will not need quite as much food. However, their smaller size does not mean that they should be kept in a small enclosure. Though tiny, these hamsters have lots of energy and need space to thrive.
Unlike Syrian hamsters, it is possible for Dwarf (and sometimes Chinese) hamsters to live in relative harmony – some say that these hamsters need company in order to be happy. However, the more you have, the more space you will need, and you will always need to be prepared to purchase extra space if necessary. If fighting breaks out amongst your hamsters, you’ll need to be able to provide separate spaces for them in order to stop them harming each other. Even if your hamsters appear to get on well in the beginning, this is no guarantee of how they will feel about each other in the future.
How Much do Hamsters Cost?
Hamsters are relatively inexpensive to buy, but a hamster should be the last thing on your purchase list, after a hutch, bedding, toys, a wheel, food, a water bottle and a food bowl. The collective cost of all of this equipment can be upwards of a hundred pounds, but if you’re only going to end up being keeping one hamster then most of this will only need to be bought once.
Whether you want a Syrian, a Chinese or a Dwarf hamster, the prices don’t vary much unless a species is ptherticularly hard to come by in your country. In general, owners can expect to pay between five to fifteen pounds for a hamster in a shop, depending on the business and the type of hamster. Although there are lots of different pets available through shops, it’s good to be aware that there are thousands of hamsters in small animal shelters that need your help, and are adoptable for a similar price!
On a week-by-week basis, hamsters cost very little to take care of – mainly just a few pounds for a little bit of food and bedding. Although active, hamsters are really tiny creatures that don’t eat or excrete much, so feeding them once per day and cleaning them out once or twice each week is usually adequate. There are lots of different types of bedding available, and owners often argue amongst themselves about which is the best type.
In the longer term, there are some larger costs (such as buying a hutch and paying vets fees) that mean you might want to set aside some money every week or so in case of emergency. Alternatively, you may be able to take out hamster insurance to cushion against any vets fees.
How Much Is Hamster Bedding?
Hamster bedding is usually in the region of four or five pounds for a good-sized bag. This can take the form of regular cuddles and playtime, as well as specific mental stimulation in the form of fun toys and games in their cage. Of course, this will vary according to the size of your hamster, how many you own, and how large their enclosure is. Whilst the very best kind is debated, there are some things that you should know about each of the options. Bear in mind that all bedding needs to be supplied in hefty amounts so that your pet can burrow inside it.
What Not To Buy
- Materials such as pine shavings or cedar shavings aren’t good for hamsters, because these pieces of wood can be quite sharp and stick into your pet. Woods can be abrasive and may cause respiratory problems – the only safe wood-shaving bedding option is aspen shavings, but they aren’t a very comfortable bedding.
- Unnatural, fluffy bedding – although this looks really cozy, this material may cause problems if your hamster ever ingests it. There is also the possibility that your pet can get tangled in this and become unable to escape, or have a limb broken in its struggle. It’s best to stick to more natural products.
- Newspaper – although this may seem like a good, cheap option, the ink printed onto the papers may be dangerous to hamsters.
- Flavored or scented bedding – as with newspapers, this may seem like a good option, but the chemicals that go into producing the scent could be toxic to your hamster.
- Litters designed for cats or dogs – these are abrasive and uncomfortable for your small mammal, and may also be indigestible.
What To Buy
- Plant fibre bedding – the most important thing to remember if you want a soft bedding is to choose one that is made from natural plant fibres. Synthetic fibres can cause serious problems with digestion, and so eating large amounts can be fatal for your pet. If there are any warnings on the packets that say the product is indigestible, steer clear.
- Paper strips – paper bedding that lacks ink can be a good, cheap option for your pet. Paler colors, or plain white strips, can also help you spot when your pet is suffering from health problems, such as a lack of urination or defecation, and bleeding.
- Hay – whether or not this is a good option depends on what breed you have, specifically on how long your pet’s hair is. For example, should you have a long-haired hamster then you might not want to use hay for that pet, as hay is likely to get stuck in their tresses. It’s a good idea to get a hay that’s intended for small mammals, and to avoid straw. Straw is not good for hamsters, as it’s really firm and abrasive, and owners that use this material risk damaging their pet’s skin and eyes.
Hamster Insurance
Like any animal, hamsters will unfortunately fall ill from time to time. In case they need so see a vet, you may prefer to have some form of insurance rather than having to pay for an expensive treatment that you hadn’t planned for.
How much the insurance is, and even if it’s available, will depend on where you live in the world. Depending on which plan you go for, there will be a different excess cost – an excess is how much you will need to pay if you make a claim. Thwill be amount will not be refunded by the insurance policy company. For example, if your hamster requires a treatment that costs £50 and you have a £25 excess, then you will pay £25 of the £50 cost.
Another idea is that you can save for any potential vet bills yourself. By putting aside some money every week, you can prepare yourself for any potential health problems.
If you really want to get a hamster, this article about Getting A Hamster Guide will help you out!