Did you know that it is not just the hamster diet and related food and supply expenses that you need to consider when thinking about owning a pet hamster? The cost of feeding your pet hamster regularly with fresh fruits, vegetables and other best hamster foods will also be something you need to plan for.
Our article today looks at everything there is to know about the cost of feeding a hamster. We’ll take a detailed look at all of the different costs associated with owning a hamster, as well as some excellent tips on how you can reduce those costs while still providing an excellent home environment for your new friend.
What Does It Cost to Feed a Hamster?
One of the biggest costs associated with feeding a hamster is the hamster food itself. The cost of this will vary depending on the type of food you choose, although you can reduce the costs by purchasing in bulk or in larger bags.
Generally speaking, you should expect to spend anywhere between $16 and $32 on a small bag of hamster food. The more premium brands will be more expensive, while you can purchase the standard generic brands for less.
You need to remember, though, that hamsters will generally eat around 2% of their body weight in food each day. So, an adult hamster that weighs around 100 grams will require around two grams of food each day.
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How to Reduce the Costs of Feeding a Hamster
One of the best ways to reduce the cost of feeding a hamster is to choose a smaller breed. Smaller hamsters will eat less than larger breeds, making them ideal for those looking to keep the costs of feeding a hamster down.
Smaller breeds will also eat less food overall, making it ideal for those on a budget. As we’ve already discussed, though, you should also look for cheaper hamster food. There are many generic brands on the market that will offer you the same nutritional benefits for less money.
If you have the space and the time, growing your own food is an excellent way to reduce the cost of feeding a hamster. By growing your own fruits and vegetables, you can save money while also offering your hamster a more natural diet.
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Purchasing the Food for Your Hamster
As we’ve already discussed, the first major cost related to feeding a hamster is the food itself. The best way to ensure that you’re purchasing the best food for your hamster is to find a well-known brand. You should also look for foods that are high in protein, fiber and other nutrients required for your hamster to stay healthy.
Hamster food is often fortified with additional vitamins and minerals, so you should look for a product that includes calcium to keep your hamster’s teeth healthy.
You may also wish to purchase some treats for your hamster, although you should only do this occasionally. Hamsters should make up the majority of their diet with their staple hamster food. Treats should only be used as a reward for good behavior or when you are trying to encourage your hamster to exercise.
Monthly hamster food expenses
As we’ve already discussed, the cost of feeding a hamster will vary depending on the brand you choose.
You can expect to pay anywhere between $16 and $32 for a single bag of food that will last one hamster for around one month. You’ll also want to consider the size of the bag when calculating the monthly expenses. Smaller, one-pound bags will cost less per month than larger, five-pound bags.
Hamsters are rodents and, as such, they are known for being efficient eaters. You can expect your hamster to eat around two grams of food each day, meaning that a bag of food will last roughly one month.
Yearly hamster food expenses
If you choose a lower-end food brand, you can expect to spend anywhere between $228 and $392 on food for a single hamster per year.
If you choose the more expensive brand, you can expect to pay anywhere between $330 and $490 per year. These figures assume that you only feed your hamster one bag of food. If you feed your hamster a variety of different foods, you’ll need to account for that expense as well.
If you choose to feed your hamster a variety of different foods, the yearly food expenses will be higher. You’ll also want to remember to account for the cost of any treats that you give to your hamster.
Other costs of feeding a hamster
As we’ve already discussed, one of the biggest costs associated with feeding a hamster is the cost of food. While the price of food is the single largest expense, there are other costs to consider.
If you choose to feed your hamster a variety of different foods each day, you’ll also need to take into account the cost of any plates, bowls or other items that you use to serve the food.
You’ll also want to invest in a hamster feeder if you plan on leaving food in the cage at all times. If you live in an urban area, you may also wish to invest in a hamster wheel to keep your hamster physically active and healthy. Your hamster will also need somewhere to sleep, so you may wish to purchase a small bed or hammock for the hamster to sleep in.
Final Words
As you can see, feeding a hamster can be quite expensive. That’s why it’s important to understand the costs involved with feeding a hamster so that you can budget for it accordingly. Hamsters are social animals, so you should ideally keep two hamsters in the same cage.
They are also nocturnal, meaning that they sleep during the day and are most active in the evening and night. When choosing a hamster, make sure that you pick a breed that is suitable for your age and level of experience. Smaller breeds are generally the best choice for beginners, while more experienced owners can consider larger breeds such as the Syrian hamster.