Hamster Cost

• Adult Syrian hamsters are about 6-inches long and have been bred for a variety of colors and run $5 -$20 each. They are territorial and should be kept one to a cage. They live 2 to 3years.
• Full-grown Dwarf hamsters reach only 2-3 inches long and cost $4 -$13. They are often sold in pairs for around $20. They live around 1 and a half years.
• Robvorski Hamsters are small even for dwarfs at 1-2 inches and cost $13 -$30. They have an easygoing temperament, but are very fast and difficult to catch.

• Hamsters thrive best in open-air cages which run from $30 -$50.
• Pine or cedar litter can cause respiratory problems, so hamster owners use either Aspen shavings that run about $3.50 per bag, or Carefresh -- a recycled newspaper product priced around $5, to line the cage bottom. Hamsters will pick a specific corner of the cage to use for droppings, which should be spot cleaned daily. The entire bedding material should be changed out once a week for a monthly cost of $14 -$20. The Humane Society website gives tips on hamster care.
• Basic hamster food mix runs $5 -$6 per 2-pound bag, which should last about a month. Water bottles cost around $2.
• Carriers for outings run $10 -$16.
• Hamsters exercise at night and may run several miles on rotating wheels that cost $4 to $20.

• Hamsters love to shred and hide in cardboard tubes from toilet paper or paper towel rolls.
• Toilet paper (plain white) makes a soft nesting material.

• Use Petfinder.com to locate hamsters available for adoption. Enter your zip code and under animal check "small and furry."
• To prevent unwanted litters, each Petsmart carries either female or male hamsters. Call ahead to find out which breeds they carry.

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