Silly parents. Fish are definitely more expensive than hamsters. The real cost of owning a hamster comes from caring for one properly. Some experts advise that you take your hamster in for basic checkups every single year. I ordered the All Living Things Starter Kit online from Petsmart, at a great price of $37 for the cage, food dish, water bottle, chew toy, wheel, and initial food and bedding. That makes them much pricier than hamsters. (An Owner’s Checklist), How To Choose The Best Cage For Your Hamster, Choosing the best bedding for your hamster’s cage. (And How to Help Them Live Longer!). We’re going to cover how much good care for a hamster is going to cost you. Craigslist doesn’t have the best reputation, so do your homework before you just buy a hamster off the site. This will cover the costs of chew sticks and toys, nesting material, a chew-proof hamster cage, a food bowl with food, a water bottle, and bedding. The cost of ownership, however, is far more expensive. Hamsters enjoy exploring If your hamster isn’t using a litter box, though, almost all the bedding has to go when you clean the cage. Note that this post will not try to tell you how much other people pay to care for hamsters per se. It’s not completely unreasonable to spend $200 to $300 for a surgical procedure for your furry friend. We strongly believe that every pet deserves the very best quality of life possible – and that includes hamsters. Most cages at pet stores are unfortunately too small for hamsters, so even if you're on a budget, getting a cage that is at least 450 square inches is strongly recommended. I am considering taking my male 8-9 month old hamster to the vet because it is urinating blood. All our small animals are bred by reputable specialists. Hamster factfile. If you’re a little shell-shocked by the above totals, that’s understandable. And yes, that quality of life comes with a price tag. Read more: How much does a hamster REALLY cost. Here are a few examples to give you a sense of the costs –. Average. That means your bag of hamster pellets will last you several months. Posts are for general information, are not intended to substitute for informed professional advice (medical, legal, veterinary, financial, etc. They provide a more balanced nutrition and that pays off in the long run – and more importantly, ensures that your pet gets the good care it deserves. Then the medicine for hamsters is relatively cheap bout a couple of pounds so thats not too bad. Please avoid buying from “hamster mills” where people relentlessly and irresponsibly breed female hamsters. They’d eat at most a cup, but still, cantaloupes aren’t good forever. This way, you can ensure it’s in relatively good health. We can’t help with any costs incurred at another vet but for further treatment at Animal Trust the reassurance is there. And again, if you have the space for it – go larger. The largest pet bill I've paid for a hamster was £120 when they needed an operation to remove a growth. These are not recommendations, so do your due diligence and check for recommendations before you buy. The largest you can afford. It’s no secret that vet bills can be costly but because the fees are unregulated, you can shop around to find the best value. Invest in good chewing toys instead and replace them as necessary. Vets4Pets have veterinary surgeries across the UK offering affordable and high-quality care for your pet. HSS is a non-profit organisation. As for chew toys – they’re essential for keeping your hamster’s teeth in good shape. hotukdeals.com - The Largest Deal … Which means you’ll be paying a total of $775 during the first year of caring for a new pet hamster, and then $610 for every additional year. The most expensive enclosure would be the two-story hamster hutch for $349.99. RatFanClub.org maintains a vet referral list . They strive to uphold the standard for small pet care through education and awareness. Expect to pay around $150-$250 for setup costs (cage etc.) Thanks, and good luck, ~ Future Vet . Pet Assure is a low-cost pet insurance alternative that helps you take great care of your hamster. despite being an exotics specialist and I have a good income so no issues covering any unexpected large bills. They may reflect how some people care for their hamsters but not how what good hamster care should cost. And yes, that will be more expensive. You can get 30 liters of bedding for about $11 and 60 liters for $20. Hamsters can be the perfect pets for some people, but are they the right pet for you ? Usually, Owning a hamster can be expensive. Get information, hours, photos, coupons, direct phone Number and more on Find Local Clinic. Your hamsters feet may get caught in wires, which may cause an injury and require a trip to the veterinarian. Dont give me that love for your pet malarkey. Every day, on average, hamsters consume little food. The cheapest option is a small tank topper enclosure for $44.99. Ok, time to go over everything and see just how much proper care for a hamster should cost. Cheap ones will break, necessitating a replacement. Hamsters make excellent pets, for the right owner. And that is bound to happen during the lifetime of any hamster. If needs be, save up in advance to make sure you can buy the equipment and have enough for vet care – for the entire lifespan of your hamster. If you live in a city it will cost £25-£30 again if they give your hamster medication otherwise it will cost £10. If you need to get your hamster emergency care, you could pay $117 for the appointment. An ethical hamster will never breed a female before the age of four months and then no more than 3-5 times during her lifetime. If so, then your bedding can stay longer since your hamster will make waste in the box. For recommendations and more information read our guide: Choosing the best bedding for your hamster’s cage. Posted by 1 day ago. Check Up's : I think about (if matireals used) 50$. One company exists that does provide exotic pet insurance but spaying or neutering may or may not be covered. You could call your vet and ask him or look in the phone book and give a few people a call. Don’t cheap out on your hamster and choose a large and spacious cage. (And how to stop yours from stinking! Do keep in mind that you can make some toys yourself. the other vets (1st hamster) just wanted more … Therefore in addition it is best to factor in an additional cost of £50-£80 per annum for extras when working out whether keeping a hamster can be afforded. Discounts: Older rats tend to be less expensive. Having said that one of my hamsters has been to the vet just twice and the other never. Small Animal Pets If you're ready to keep a small animal as a pet, we can help. The cost of ownership, however, is far more expensive. They can be fragile and do need to be handled carefully. If the cage is too small, your hamster can get a stress-related illness, and vet bills will cost more than if you would've invested in an appropriately sized cage. However, it is still likely to cost too much for a child to pay for by themselves, especially if the hamster needs veterinary treatment at any point. Lastly, there are the initial costs of feeding your hamster, such as food bowls and a water bottle. It's hard to say what the cost is. Vet bills, over the course of any pet’s life, can end up totaling to be more than you paid for the pet itself. Personally I wouldn't bother. The species of the hamster can determine the price as well. Due to their cheap prices and short lifespan, you may pay about $900 for hamster care over the pet’s lifetime. It's hard to say what the cost is. Post Tweet Share Share with WhatsApp Share with Messenger Community Updates. After that, you still have to pay $260 for annual costs, which we’ll talk about shortly. Ethical breeders run their operation in a carefully managed “hamsteries” and are often a much better place to buy a hamster from. my first hamster, they charged £10 just to look at it! To Sum It Up. Also, if the cage is made from wire, make sure that there is a solid plastic cover on the bottom. Checkups may cost you $70 or more. Unlike a cat or a dog, which you can bring to any vet, some veterinary clinics do not treat hamsters. Buy a new one. 0 0. Usually, when you take a hamster to the vet it can range anywhere between $30 – $300 depending on what you go for. Some regular veterinarians will look at your hamster. Find the Best Hamster Veterinarian near you - Explore The Most Viewed Hamster Veterinarian open now, Popular Local Searches and other Popular Home Services near you, Contact and review the Best Local specialist. Then again, health care for canines and felines is very developed and many owners find themselves having to deal with huge vet bills as the dog gets older. Every week, you need to change out everything in your hamster’s cage. Parrots, parakeets and other pet birds are very sensitive to stress and disease and need to be seen by bird specialist. No produce is. Hamsters generally make good family pets but should never be left unsupervised with small children. Well, it really depends on what your vet does to your hamster. It’s easy to find good quality hamster food at a pet shop. These will end up being as much as the hamster cost you – or much more – per month. How much does a hamster cost? How much do vet appointments cost? 2. In fact, you’re probably better off getting the following instead –. It covers all in-house medical services, including those related to pre-existing conditions. These so-called “toys” are crucial to your hamster’s well-being. Treatments and vet fees can cost hundreds of pounds. That’s exponentially pricier than hamster ownership (but again, factor in more years). Other dangers of fluffy bedding include the small, strong fibres becoming entangled around the teeth and limbs. You may wonder if hamsters are more expensive than other household pets. ), $25 Buying a hamster from an ethical breeder. Cats. Without chewing, these teeth will grow too long. For the hamsters’ welfare, these basic requirements are compulsory. They take Hamsters to vets and pay £30 to the vet as fees. A hamster costs about £7 and lasts a year or 2. To give you the answer, we did some research on various costs associated with owning a hamster. Owning fish is surprisingly expensive. Also, always make sure you can see a picture and/or video of the hamster before you commit to buying or taking it. Many people view hamsters as “cheap pets” that are good for beginners. What Should You Put in a Hamster’s Cage? If well socialized from a young age and treated gently, hamsters are generally slow moving, reasonably easy to handle, and affectionate. Turtles have a ridiculous lifespan of 30 to 40 years. A hamster will cost you about $20-$25 to buy from a reputable source. Hamsters can be the perfect pets for some people, but are they the right pet for you ? Or roughly $50 a month. Prices at Petco aren’t too different. This way, if your hamster is ever in an emergency, you can get them immediate care. is going to be well over the initial cost of that dog, even if it was an expensive breeder animal. To give you a grasp of the costs of toys, we’re picked a few great ones from Amazon –. Since they’re omnivores, you can supplement your hamster’s diet with vegetables and fruits. Operating through a UK-wide network of 48 Pet Hospitals, PDSA provides low cost and free veterinary care to the sick and injured pets of people in need and promotes responsible pet ownership Misc Show All Show less. I got a pet hamster 3 days ago and yesterday I noticed that my pet has a bald spot on top of his nose I wanted to take it to the vet for a checkup but my mom said taking it to the vet cost to much which means she won't go to the vet. If you own a smaller pet bird, then you’ll spend about $400 in its first year. Nail Clipping : About 30$ to 40$. The average cost of vet care for one year (assuming your hamster is in reasonably good health): $100-$250. They only live 1 to 2 years. If you’re searching for a more uncommon breed, for instance, that could increase the price. That is, of course, if the prices of the fruits and vegetables don’t go up. and then an average of $600 a year or $50 a month (including veterinary care costs). 7 Hamster Health Problems Every Owner Needs to Know About, 29 Adorable Black and White Hamsters (Picture Post). Annual costs of owning a pet can range from several hundred to several thousands of dollars. It depends on the vet. Accidents . Vet bills ALWAYS cost more than the animal itself. Here are several acceptable ones, as well as the average price. At a hamster mill, females will be breed as soon as they’re able to conceive, in terrible conditions and basically until the day they die. While they are relatively easy to care for, they deserve the best possible life you can give them – and that does come at a price tag. As for the actual hamster, he will usually only cost $15 to $20. However, it is unlikely that you’ll have to spend more than $50, including the consultation cost. Syrians are available in a wide range of colors, and the hamster cost may increase with the presence of unusual markings or type of fur. Is A 20 Gallon Tank Big Enough For A Hamster? You’d pay $9,900 to $39,300 for a turtle over 30 years. The fish themselves can cost up to $100, and that’s before you factor in food and cleaning supplies. Financial resource Kiplinger states the first-year cost of ownership is even higher. We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. In fact it’s better to keep all hamsters apart, as some species will fight among themselves. They increase your hamster’s living space, providing a chance for him to move around and explore in the confines of the cage. How Often To Give Your Hamster Fruit And Vegetables? “Listen earnestly to anything your children want to tell you, no matter what. Find out with our guide that has all the essential information you'll need. Petsmart has many hamster breeds in their various stores, such as Russian dwarves, fancy bears, winter whites, short-haired, long-haired, Roborovski dwarves, and Chinese dwarves. purple22 46. 10 years ago. The cost of veterinary care also varies by region, based on differences in rent, average income, and general cost of living. This is just a simple fact of pet ownership - it's true for cats and dogs as well. Companion Care Vets & Vets 4 Pets offer a network of over 450 veterinary practices throughout the UK, so we hope you’ll find a … Tube mazes and slides work as more than toys. The prices don’t really vary too much from other retailers. Now that we’ve informed you on all facets of hamster costs, you can decide whether owning a hamster is financially feasible for you. Before you take the leap and bring a sweet hamster into your life, make sure you can afford to give it the care it deserves. As you can see, food and toys are not that expensive – mostly because hamsters are so small – but vet bills add a lot to the totals. These costs include a chew-proof hamster cage, a solid-surface exercise wheel, a supply of pelleted (not seed-based) food, food bowl, water bottle, bedding, nesting material, chew sticks and toys. (just look in ears and stuff like that) 40$. The price of treatment will vary greatly depending on the illness that your gerbil has, so it's good to always be prepared. A 5 year old child does not really bond with the hamster and would just as well be happy with a new one. Among the most popular kept as pets are the Syrian, the Russian dwarf Campbell and the Roborovski. and then an average of $600 a year or $50 a month (including veterinary care costs). After that, you’ll spend roughly $660 every year. £1,567. Essentials such as a hamster cage , wheel and toys, plus reoccurring maintenance costs including bedding & food can reach $885 over a hamster’s lifetime. But how much would that cost you? The annual cost of bedding (if you get a new bag every two months): $132 to $240. From tiny pocket pets like hamsters, gerbils and mice to larger animals like chinchillas and guinea pigs, we'll help you find the perfect little friend to welcome into your home and family. In addition to the above, you’ll have to routinely pay for the following items. You’ll end up paying a lot more to a veterinarian for filing down these teeth. Buying from an ethical professional hamstery, you’ll be getting a much healthier, happier and more tamer than you would from the store. There are many options for your hamster to live. Do provide a great wheel for your hamster! You can’t just put a hamster in a bare enclosure. I have a hamster of my own and a friend who has 2. They take Hamsters to vets and pay £30 to the vet as fees. Within the first year, care will be $500. So, per year, caring for a young dog or cat won’t be significantly more expensive compared to caring for a hamster. On the other hand, the cost to buy a hamster ranges from $14.99 to $22.99 at ... A trip to an animal clinic has an average of $65 for a regular checkup at Hancock Park Veterinary Clinic and the cost may increase depending on the needs of your pet like additional procedures and tests. To sum this up, when you first get a hamster, you’ll pay a one-time cost for food and water (includes all vegetables and fruits listed above as well as pellets, food bowl, and water bottle): Up to $50-$60. However, vet visits typically run between $50 and $100. In nature, Syrian hamsters can run for miles and miles every night. This is where the costs add up. After that, if your bird stays healthy, it’s about $200 per year of ownership. I bought a larger wheel and exercise ball, as well as a couple of mineral chews. This seems to be regardless of size, species, and gender. We know you need more information to decide whether you can afford to have a hamster as a pet. They need nesting materials for sleep and making waste. The site and services are provided "as is" with no warranty or representations by JustAnswer regarding the qualifications of Experts. You don't always have to go to a vet that specializes in exotic pets. And in the end, even with high-quality food, this isn’t going to be a huge expense. But my vet is quite reasonably priced (certainly much cheaper than the vet chain in Pets at Home!) The latter is especially true if you need a saltwater tank. A vet appointment usually costs about £60, which would normally cover a consultation and diagnosis. We found some with locations across the country. It can't hurt to call a vet office, tell them the problem, and ask how much it might be. I had to pay that once when my hamster had a bad accident and i called the vet out at about 10pm to the vets. You’re going to need a specialist, at least for some conditions, so expect vet care to be more expensive. 2nd hamster, went to a different vet. One of the first things to be aware of as you search for your perfect pet is that hamster costs vary depending on where you shop. really he does You could call your vet and ask him or look in the phone book and give a few people a call. You can easily find low-grade hamster food at Walmart or Petsmart, with prices going as low as $3 a pound. Hamster Society (Singapore (HSS) is a registered non-profit group that rescues and fosters unwanted hamsters. We’ll take a look in a minute at how they compare to other pets, but yes, please don’t think about adopting a pet hamster if you cannot provide it with good quality care. The first year of rabbit ownership can cost over $1,000. Any pet shop worker or veterinarian will tell you that you should budget at least $200-$250 as an initial investment, to get everything your hamster needs. One reason hamsters are viewed as such favorable pets is that they’re so inexpensive. Pets can live for 10 or more years. Read more: What Size Cage Does a Hamster Need? 10% most expensive. A standard veterinary visit will cost about $35 to $40. If you look at a pie chart that shows how the money you give a vet is divided, you may be surprised at the breakdown. All prices are from Produce Price Index. Some injections can be expensive, closer to $100. In that case you might have a litter box for your hamster, which you can find on Amazon for $7 to $10. Why Do Hamsters Die? If you can't afford a surgery that will cost, on average, between $175 and $400, for your pet that will live to be about two to two and a half years old then don't do it. While that may seem like a lot of money, there are few cheaper pets around. Although a hamster shouldn’t cost any more than $25 to purchase, its ongoing care can add up. An enclosure is a one-time cost unless yours by chance breaks. How Do You Find a Hamster Lost in the House? The cost of a ferret itself is $100 to $200. Hamster Vet Costs. When stuck a hamster may go so far as to chew through limbs to free itself and the sudden loss of blood and shock can kill the hamster. It depends where you live. has anyone taken a hamster to the vet recently ? our hamster has developed some lumps and bumps . Hamsters live, on average, 18 to 24 months (some may reach 36 months). Here are their prices: If you decide to look for a pet hamster on Craigslist, you could get arguably the best deal in terms of price. This is what you’ll have to pay for the hamster itself, cage and basic accessories. Iguanas can live for 10 years, so paying for one would cost $3,200 to $12,125. In fact, the opposite is true. ratlover says: January 29, 2010 at 6:58 pm. If you add that up, then within the first year of hamster ownership, you could expect to pay $310. After that, the costs are between $330 to $1,310 every year. If a Hamster is Very Sick or Dying, Vet Care Just Isn’t Worth It Most of your hamster’s diet should be made of quality commercial well-balanced pellets or dry food mixes. As exotic pets, they’re not cheap to get. Read more: How Often Should You Clean a Hamster’s Cage? If you’re crafty with wood or plastic, you can create a hamster slide or even an entire playground. Many people are willing to rehome their hamsters for free. I take hamsters to the vet often and it can cost anywhere from $35 to $300+ depending on what we are going for. 46 Comments. If the cage is too small, your hamster can get a stress-related illness, and vet bills will cost more than if you would've invested in an appropriately sized cage. Expect to pay around $150-$250 for setup costs (cage etc.) In fact, one poster wrote they paid $150 for a biopsy as well as medications. A cremation could cost an additional $200. Usually, when you take a hamster to the vet it can range anywhere between $30 – $300 depending on what you go for. When a guardian finally does find a vet who sees “exotic” animals, it’s often very costly, which may also prevent some people from ensuring that their hamster receives proper care. While you don’t have to pay for vaccinations, any symptom of illness or injury in your hamster necessitates a trip to the vet. In this section, we’ll go over the costs of ownership of those pets. All information is from Investopedia and Kiplinger. For many potential owners, that’s question swirling in their mind since they decide to get a furry friend. More often than not, these are low-quality items which you’ll have to pay good money to replace with good ones. This is actually not a good choice for many hamsters as it could tire them out and stress them as they’re rolling around without being able to interact with their environment. On the other hand, the cost to buy a hamster ranges from $14.99 to $22.99 at PetSmart Stores while Petco sells it at $12.99 to … Even if the animal is free, you have to ask yourself why that is. Having the rat spayed or neutered will cost between $50 and $100. Buy a new one. However, when it comes to veterinary care, there are no discounts for size. If you live in a city it will cost £25-£30 again if they give your hamster medication otherwise it will cost £10. Here are a couple of good choices from Amazon –. What you might not think about as you browse Craigslist or stop by a pet store is the long-term costs of ownership. Last week, the Telegraph reported on a study which found that 85 per cent of vets said they or a member of their team had felt threatened by clients who were angry at the cost of treatment. However, given that these animals live for at least a decade and sometimes up to 20 years (in the case of cats), you could spend up to $10,000-$20,000 over their lifetime. If they live 12 years, you’ll pay $8,300. Now, your hamster won’t eat an entire cantaloupe, so you can’t factor in the prices of a full fruit. Do Hamsters Smell? There are a few different hamster species suitable for pets, but you shouldn’t mix them in the same cage. If there are 52 weeks in a year and you buy the above produce every week, you’d spend about $255 on it all. The more you invest in a great system of tubes, the more space you’re creating for your hammy. There are many breeder clubs and groups. The cost of running a veterinary service is surprisingly high. We’ve come to the big one, in terms of budget. 1.2k. Rabbits are generally more expensive to care for because they need larger enclosures and more veterinary care (including neutering, for example). Accidents. We’re now going to break down each area of care a hamster requires. With any costs incurred at another vet but for further treatment at animal Trust the is... Always be prepared as it depends on a lot of money, there a. Out everything in your area that will see your hamster dies, euthanasia may over... Not breed them any further require a trip to the vet as...., parakeets and other pet birds are very sensitive to stress and disease and need see... Can add up ever in an emergency fund specifically for if your bird stays healthy, ’! What your vet and ask how much does a vet that specializes in exotic.. 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Are good for your hamster is in reasonably good health ): $ 132 to $ 240 believe every... Exploring food averages about $ 50 and $ 100 means your bag hamster.