Hamsters are such a joy to watch, especially if they are already in their exercise wheels and running through mazes and tunnels. These critters don’t require much. As long as they get plenty of exercise, food, water, a deep bedding to burrow, and a place to hide, they will be happy. Because of their size and docile nature, hamsters make for excellent pets for children. But, how much do hamsters cost?
Generally, there are several factors that can affect the price of a hamster. For instance, the availability of hammies in your community can greatly impact prices. If there is a great number of a particular species of hamster in a given location, the prices will be a lot cheaper compared to a city where such hammies are relatively rare, despite the fact that there’s demand for it. Also, certain species of hamsters are naturally more expensive than others so, it might be wise to look at your working budget first. Additionally, certain shops sell their pets at a slightly higher price than going directly to a breeder; although well-renowned breeders will usually command a much higher price for their hamsters. The point is to look at the prices of any type of hamster in your area, sourced from different sellers or providers, before making the decision to buy.
There are typically 3 types of hamsters that are generally based on their sizes. And this can be used as a very rough estimate of how much you’re expected to pay for each type.
Large Breeds
The Syrian hamster typically ranges between $5 and $20 each, often depending on the seller and other unique identifying characteristics. These pets are also known by their nicknames ‘golden’, ‘standard’, ‘teddy bear’, and ‘fancy’. They grow anywhere from 5 inches to 7 inches and can live up to 2.5 years. These often come in various colors.
Medium-sized Breeds
There are 3 popular breeds of hamsters that can be classified as medium-sized and these are typically sold in the range of $4 and $13. Generally, however, they are often sold in pairs because these are very social animals. If you do get them in pairs, you can expect to shell out $15 to $20. A good thing to remember is to get them young so they become more familiar with their fellow hammies.
Examples of medium-sized hamsters include the Dwarf Campbell Russian, the Dwarf Winter White Russian, and the Chinese hamsters. The Chinese and Campbell grow to about 4 inches while the Winter White ranges between 3.5 and 4 inches. The Chinese hamster typically has brown backs, ivory coloring, and a black fur along its spine. On the other hand, the Winter White typically comes in sapphire, pearl, or a combination of both. Campbells come in a variety of colors like the Syrian. The average lifespan of these hamsters is about 2 years.
Small Breeds
The Roborovski Dwarf is undoubtedly the most popular among the small breeds of hamsters. This Mongolian native will set you back by about $13 to $30. Like their medium-sized cousins, these nifty little fellas are very sociable especially when introduced early on. You can expect to pay $20 to $55 for a pair, though. A Roborovski is colored sandy brown and can live up to 3.5 years. These are very small, very nimble, and very difficult to catch.
Of course, the cost of hamster is not the only thing you have to consider. You also need to select the best type of hamster cage, as well as cleaning, bedding, feeding and play requirements. Compared to other types of pets, though, you will not be breaking the bank if you do decide to get a hamster for a pet.
