How Much Does a Hamster Cost

Just like house mice, guinea pigs, and chinchillas, hamsters are also rodents that have become one of the most popular small pets at home. Most of the time, children are the ones taking care of them, but there are adults who are fond of these rodents as well. And in some cases, scientists use hamsters for scientific and laboratory studies.

Average Hamster Costs

If you plan on having this type of rodent as a pet for yourself or for your kid, then it would be helpful to know the average cost of a hamster. With this being said, how much does a hamster cost these days?

The hamster prices typically range from $10 to $35, depending on the choice of breed, color, size, markings, gender, age, and their personality. Furthermore, the prices also vary on whether you buy it at a pet store or directly from a breeder. You should know that the hamster prices that come from a breeder are usually higher than the costs at the pet shops.

*Adult Syrian Hamsters

Popularly known as teddy bear hamsters or golden hamsters, Syrian hamsters generally have large cheek pouches, small eyes, and short tails. They come in different color combinations such as black and yellow, champagne, chocolate and cream, silver gray, as well as, dark and light gray. They can grow from 4 to 7 inches and can weigh around 5 to 7 ounces. They are highly territorial, which means they should live alone in a cage. And if they are given proper care, then they can live up to four years.

How much does a hamster cost for a Syrian hamster? If you want to have an adult Syrian hamster, then the average cost of a hamster for this breed is around $12.5, ranging from $5 to $20 each.

*Full-Grown Dwarf Hamsters

From the name itself, a dwarf hamster is really a small breed. As a matter of fact, an adult or a full-grown dwarf hamster can only grow at a maximum of 10 centimeters or 4 inches in length. It can weigh from 25 to 50 grams and has a lifespan from 2 to 4 years. Although it only has a few color combinations and coat variations, a dwarf hamster moves faster and is more active than an adult Syrian hamster. And unlike the Syrian breed, dwarf hamsters can live alone, with an opposite gender, or in a group.

Dwarf hamsters have five types, and these are Campbell’s Hamster, Chinese Dwarf, Roborovski Hamster, Russian Dwarf, and Winter White. And when it comes to dwarf hamster prices, the cost for this breed can range from $4 to $13. Oftentimes, they are sold in pairs that can cost around $20 each pair.

*Roborovski Hamsters

If dwarf hamsters are small, then roborovski hamsters, which are also called as robos or desert hamsters, are smaller than the first two breeds. At birth, they are only 2 centimeters in length. When they reach their adult stage, their maximum length is only 5 centimeters, and their weight is only up to 25 grams. Furthermore, their lifespan is between 2 to 4 years.

The most distinguished characteristics of this breed are their white spots that look like eyebrows and the absence of dorsal stripes, which are usually found on other members belonging to the Phodopus genus.  In addition to their unique attributes, roborovski hamsters are known to be fast creatures, running an average of four human marathons every night.

If you want to have a roborovski hamster, then how much does a hamster cost for this breed? The average cost of a hamster is around $21.50, having a range of hamster prices from $13 to $30. They are the friendly type with an easygoing personality. But be careful not to let it out of its cage because its speed would make it difficult for you to catch it.

Additional Expenses in Taking Care of a Hamster

1. Cage

If you take care of a hamster, then you need a cage where you can keep it. Apparently, it can stay in different types of cages like a glass or plastic aquarium, a plastic cage, and a wire cage, but it grows well in an open-air enclosure. The average cost of a hamster cage is about $110, ranging from $20 to $200. However, an average hamster owner can find a decent cage around $30 to $50.

2. Bedding

For your hamster’s bedding, it is ideal to use either Aspen shavings or a recycled newspaper to line the bottom of the cage. The former is only $3.50 for one bag while the latter can cost about $5. And just in case you don’t know, hamsters usually pick a specific area in the cage where they can use to drop their wastes, so it is recommended to clean that certain spot every day. Moreover, the bedding material should be replaced once a week, giving you a monthly cost of $14 to $20.

3. Hideout

Hamsters are nocturnal animals, which means they are very much active at night. For this reason, it is best to prepare a hideout worth $5 for your hamster pet, so that it has a place to hide during the day.

4. Food and Water

Just like any living thing, hamsters also need food to live. The basic food mix can cost around $5 to $6 for every 2-pound bag that usually lasts for a whole month. You can also feed them with fresh fruits like apples, vegetables like lettuce and carrots, seeds, various grains, and alfalfa hay, costing up $12. You also need to have water bottles that cost about $2.

Other Items

– food dish $2

– carriers $10 to $16

– rotating wheels $4 to $20

– chew toys $2 to $20 each

How much does a hamster cost if you add everything up? The maximum cost is around $175. Once you have the hamster, cage, hideout, and rotating wheels, you only need to spend about $32 every month for its bedding and food.