I know… You are anxious about buying a hamster. But don’t rush into it! The initial cost for buying a hamster it's not quite low and you will have to spend some money every month to take care of your hamster.

Here is a list that will help you to make your own budget:
* Cage        * Bedding      *Paper bedding     *Water bottle
  * Food dish    * Hamster mix  * Hamster toys      * Potty
    * Potty litter     * First aid kit     * Hamster books

Cage: $10-$40



The price generally varies depending on the type of cage: wired, aquarium or bin and onthe size and age of the hamster.




* Syrians might sometimes get stuck in Sam/Penplax tubes or in the Critter Trail.
 * Watch out! You might like the cage that is bright colored, with lots of tubes and fully plastic, but look at the price tag. It’s very possible to cost quite a lot.
* Each type of cage has is pros and cons so be careful when choosing.

Bedding: $2-$10

It has various purposes: absorbs the odor, your hamster uses it as a toilet, lines the floor, and allows your hamster to hide in it. Bedding supplies are found in a wide variety, from wood pulp fiber, aspen shavings and various other shavings, recycled newspaper, Kaytee Soft Sorbent, Eco-Straw Pellets and many others.

* At pet shops you can find even bedding smelling like apples or strawberries. Be careful when using those because they can cause your hamster an undesirable allergy.
* Avoid fluffy bedding material as it can severely affect your hamster. Even if the package says it’s safe for your hamster, this kind of bedding, usually made out of some mix of cotton, polyfibers, and polyester, it’s responsible for the horrible deaths of hundreds of hamsters and other rodents every year.
* NEVER use cedar or pine shavings. The chemicals in these two types of wood cause respiratory problems. Even if some hamster owners do not complain about these types of bedding, why take the chance when there are so many other healthy alternatives?

Paper bedding: as low as 1$
 
This is optional and the price is very low. You need some 2-8 squares of toilet paper. Put them in your hamster’s cage and he will do the rest. My hamsters just love it. They use is as a blanket or they chew it all in tiny bits and decorate the cage with it or even make their nest cozier, by stuffing toilet paper in they houses.



  Water bottle: $2-$15

It's a must for your hamster. The bottle is the best choice because your hamster can not spill it and make a real mess in the cage.
*You have to be careful when you put this in the hamster's cage: it has to be high enough so he can not chew the plastic part, still allowing him to drink the water easily.

Food dish: $2-$9

Avoid materials such as plastic or wood. These things do not last long in the presence of a big chewer. Buy instead a ceramic bowl. You can find them in various sizes, shapes and colors. Choose a bowl that is quite high,
* To cut down some costs, use a ceramic bowl from your kitchen.

Hamster mix: $2.5-$25

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*You can use some bird seed mix to supplement your hamster diet.
* Be very careful to buy hamster/gerbil mix and not rabbit mix because it's toxic for your little hamster.
*The additional proteins and calories that the hamster needs should consist of fresh fruits and vegetables according to your hamster needs.

Hamster toys: $1.2-$30

* Think of homemade toys. They are a great way of cutting of some costs! Instead of buying tunnels or other stuff that you may not afford at the beginning you can use a trick: don't throw away your toilet paper rolls. Use them to entertain your hamster! You can even make some holes in the tubes and glue 3-4 rolls together and make a huge tunnel for your hamster.
* When buying the toys check to see if they can harm your hamster. This applies with homemade toys, too. Make sure that the glue or any other product you use won’t affect the health of your hamster.

Yes! Your hamster can be potty trained. Sometimes is piece of cake and sometimes the hamster just takes a detour and has his potty place near the potty. You can choose between various potties that are sold in pet shops and look quite neat.

* If you like, you could easily turn a ceramic bowl into a potty.

Potty litter: $1.5-$6

The litter should be changed daily so you would need to buy more to make sure you do not run out.
* Alternatively, you can use chinchilla sand but NEVER use chinchilla dust because it will cause respiratory problems to your hamster.

You need to be prepared to help your hamster if he has some health problems. A basic first aid kit for your hamster should contain antibiotic, antiseptic and antihistaminic lotions and powders, disinfectant, bandage and some gloves for your protection.