Hamster cage and care questions?

Question

I am currently thinking of purchasing a hamster right now. Below are my following questions about hamsters and hamster care (try to answer as much as possible):

1) What cage should I get a hamster: the metal bar ones or the plastic ones?
2) What type/species of hamster is the best and easiest to care for?
3) Where can I find pet stores in Calgary?
4) How frequent should you change the bedding?
5) Is using regular paper (ie. office paper) ok for hamsters as a bedding?
6) Does the hamster cage stink if you change it regularily?
7) How much do hamsters cost?

Answer 1

1. There are many different type of cages that you can get for hamsters, in Canada I find that the most popular ones are the ones with a plastic base and metal bars. These are the best cages as the hamster can climb the bars for excercise as well as they do not chew out of the cage. I have found that my favorite type of cage for my hamsters is the Habitrail Safari Cage (it comes with a second level and a wheel), also the Habitrail Playground cage (but you need to buy a wheel for that one). If you dont have habitrail cages, Crittertrail works well as well as a basic Living world cage as long as you get a wheel for the inside.

2. The most common first hamster is a teddybear hamster, they come in both long and short hair varieties, as well as they are a bit larger than the common syrian hamster. They are also often known to have a bit of a better temperment than other hamsters (although this is not proven). Also, teddybear/syrian hamsters can fit in a normal hamster cage whereas a dwarf hamster (grow to about 2-3 inches in size) need a specialized cage. All hamsters are basicly the same to care for, they are all noctornal, just some require certian smaller items than others (syrian vs dwarf).

3. http://maps.google.ca/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=category:+Pet+Shops&near=Calgary,+AB&fb=1&view=text&cd=1&f=l&ei=KWXsRuHHOZGCrAKasamDDA&sa=N&start=0
That shows some pet stores around Calgary, also, if you are willing to travel to Edmonton, there is a store called PJs Pet Centres which carry tons of different types of hamsters as well as cages and all accessories you will need.
http://www.pjspet.com/alberta.html
Also, try to adopt a hamster if possible, they are often tame and cost little to no money at all, plus they are always looking for loving homes. Try this website if you wish to adopt:
http://www.petfinder.com/

4. You should change your hamsters bedding at least once a week, this keeps the cage clean as well as keeps odor down.

5. For bedding I would recommend that you use ASPEN wood shavings. They are the most commonly used shaving and are very cheap. You can often buy a 10L bag for around $5-10 which is very cheap and will last you about 4-5 changings of the cage. Other than that there is a bedding called carefresh which is a bit more expensive but it absorbs a bit more odor and it also comes in colors which many pet owners enjoy.

6. If you change the cage weekly there is virtually no odor, other than a slight smell from the shavings. I would recommend that you invest in a small animal toilet and small animal litter. Hamsters are naturally very clean and will often go to the washroom in one spot. If provided the option they will use a litter box in order to help keep their cage clean (it also helps to keep the cage from smelling!)

7. As for the cost of a hamster, for the hamster alone I find that these are the most common costs:
Syrian Hamster (golden hamster) - $5-10
Teddybear Hamster - $5-10
Blackbear Hamster - $15-20
Pandabear Hamster - $20-30
Dwarf Hamster - $10-15

Answer 2

1) Sometimes they chew on the metal bars, or the plastic. More important than cage type is to make sure they have enough room and enough to do. A bored hamster will chew or dig on whatever type of cage you get. Our hamster has 2 cages - one wire and one plastic, connected with tunnels.

2) Ours is a Syrian - he's pretty sweet.

3) ?

4) Every week.

5) I wouldn't think regular paper would work very well. We like the CareFresh bedding.

6) No! If it stinks, you're not cleaning often enough.

7) I think ours was less than $10.00.

Answer 3

1) Well most plastic ones have metal bars. If you plan on having multiple hamsters I suggest a aquarium.
2) Golden Hamsters are the basics and you can get all sorts of books on them. I personally like dwarf hamster because they are small and they don't have tails like mice. Any hamster you get will require care so be prepared. PS Dwarfs can escape easier.
3) They are all over the place.
4) Bedding everyday or two. But if you mean flooring weekly or so.
5) I wouldn't suggest it. That is being cheap. You can buy large bags for small prices.
6) No, not at all.
7) Dwarfs are 15 but most are like between 5 and 10 or so?

Answer 4

1) Plastic ones.
2) Well it all depends...really i would just choose the one you want. (( there are many kinds and types go with the one you fall in love with))
3) I have no idea
4) You should change the bedding atleast once every week or two or when it starts to look very dirty.
5) No. Use newspaper or wood shaveings..if you HAVE to then make sure there are no edges cuse it can cut the hampster.
6) It depends well you change it really. Although if you change it all the time and it still stinks try washing your hampster.
7) Hamsters cost around 3-9$ i belive.

Answer 5

1) metal bar ones let in more fresh air
2) I think that they are relatively the same
3)dont know
4)at least once a week or they do begin to stink
5) dont know but unscented toilet paper, pine bedding, or there are other options in your pet store
6)no as long as it's changed once a week
7) usually it's right around $9 to $12 depending on the kind you get
Hope this helped. Good Luck

Answer 6

:metal plastic because plastic may start to stink i use to have a plastic one i hated it.
:i would say dwarf hamsters there cute and like to cudl if you bond with it alot i have 7!
:no idea i dont live by there i dont no any body that does so.
once or twice a week .
some times but we found out that the weels smell the worst and if u have a prblem with the weel squeking use vegtable oil.
:about $15
using office paper i never tried but its pritty stiff if u want him or her to be comfortable i wouldint but yan and tissue paper works.

Answer 7

get a crittertrail cage Syrians are the best and easiest, go to petsmart or petco or a humane society, change the bedding once a week, don't use cedar or pine, i use Super shavin's, no cage does not stink if cleaned once a week they cost $10-20

Answer 8

1) metal so the cage wont smell up so much
2) teddy bear hamsters (only one or else they will fight)
3) i dont know where this place is, sorry...
4)once a week
5)yes as long as its not printed with ink on it; use plain paper
6)no, it wont stink.
7) they range from $10.00 to $20.00

Answer 9

1) i'd go with the metal bars
2) dungarian( spelling) dawrfs are my favorite
3) sorry, i don't know. look in your phone book
4) every 3-5 days
5) yeah, newspaper works too, if you use a shredder
6) no
7) around $5, sometimes more, sometimes less