How much can a hamster cost? How do I know if it's a female or a male? How much does a hamster's tube cost? How much does a hamster's house cost? Or is there any website i could search for it?
2007-02-11 06:45:32 · 8 answers · asked by Sarah <33 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
you should look at Petsmart.com or something, but the hamsters themselves can range from $3.00-$12.00, so they're really cheap, it just depends on the store.
2007-02-11 07:11:22 · answer #1 · answered by ferrets4ever 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A Syrian (large) hamster can cost around $10. These are also known as 'teddybear' hamsters and as adults always need to live separately.
Telling the sex of mature hamsters is very easy because males have VERY large testicles. No testicles hanging out behind the hamster = most likely a female.
The cage will run you around $40 or more if you get a properly sized one - at least 24" X 12" wire cage with solid platforms. 'SuperPet Deluxe My First Home' is what I use for all my hamsters and they love it. Please don't let the pet store be you teacher on hamster care. The pet store would usually sell you cages that are far too small for the well-being of your hamster. CritterTrail is way too small, as are most "starter' cages. Too many cages are made for the human eye, not the hamster! Bigger is ALWAYS better! Also, make sure you purchase a safe wheel for its exercise - my favorite is the regukar size Silent Spinner ($10)- http://www.petco.com/Shop/Product.aspx?R=241&Nav=1&Ntt=wheel&N=30+26&cp=3&Nao=24&sku=989444&familyID=14888&. Open wire wheels are very dangerous for delicate hamster feet - the pet stores sadly use them because they're cheap. Most other cage accessories (water bottle, hidey house, toys) cost between $3 and $8. For a play/chew tube, my hamsters love paper towel and toilet paper tubes (free!).
Hamsters are nocturnal, and in the wild they run many miles in search of food so yes, it will be up all night running on the wheel and possibly chewing on the bars. Keep that in mind when placing the cage. If it has to be in a bedroom, earplus are your best friend. Also make sure you use a paper-product bedding like CareFresh. Wood shavings have oils that are very toxic for all small animals. Again, pet stores use them because it's cheap - but thankfully many are phasing it out and using CareFresh. Hamsters' cages only smell when you don't change the bedding enough (at least once a week).
You can research prices at Petco's website - http://www.petco.com/petco_Page_PC_smallanimalhome_Nav_104_N_26.aspx
When calculating costs you must also keep in mind potential vet bills. Locate an "exotic pet" veterinarian in advance for annual checkups (around $50), and before any emergency arises. Make sure you can afford a potential unexpected emergency bill of $100 or more. If not, it's not fair to the hamster to bring him into your home where it might not get medical attention when he needs it.
All in all, hammies can be very polite, even friendly pets if well cared for. It's only when they are unhappy or in pain that they bite or become unfriendly. They live about 1-2 years, beyond 2 if well cared for and healthy, and you can get very attached in that short time.
Good luck and keep researching online! There are lots of great hamster forums out there! HamsterHideout is a great one for all kinds of hammy-related questions! -
http://www.hamsterhideout.com/forum/index.php
Also here is a good page called "IS A HAMSTER THE RIGHT PET FOR ME?" - http://critterscoop.com/FAQ/FAQ_general_rightpet.htm
2007-02-15 00:00:55 · answer #2 · answered by heatherbrownbear 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters cost about 5 dallas and de tube cost about 7 and de home anout 10 or 15
2007-02-14 13:05:33 · answer #3 · answered by dalisay29 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
i have a winter white dwarf and i got her @ petsmart (dont get hamsters @ petco they die soon
but yeah mine cost $12
2007-02-11 07:12:58 · answer #4 · answered by WoWzErZ 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
my hamster ran away and the ones form petco are very noisy. they keep you up at night by chewing on the wire of the cage
2007-02-11 07:17:20 · answer #5 · answered by c101_1024 2 · 0⤊ 2⤋
in all about 40 dollars.... i had one and i gave it back to petco because it made my whole house smell like pee and it almost made me throw up. i totally do not recomend hamsters haha
2007-02-11 06:55:14 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
they range around $3.99-$15.99 not bad you should try getting one i loved mine until a dog ripped his head off i cried for days over him (yes im a girl) lol bye
2007-02-11 06:54:26 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
one male +one female= enough to launch one a day for a week out of a potato gun
2007-02-11 06:50:19 · answer #8 · answered by wade 3 · 1⤊ 7⤋