This document lists reasons to get a hamster as a pet. Hamsters are inexpensive to buy and feed, with their food and habitat costs being under $30. They are also easy to care for as they learn to drink from water bottles and groom themselves. As pocket pets, hamsters are small and portable but provide entertainment as fun animals to watch that exercise on running wheels. Their independent nature means they do not require much attention and are a low maintenance pet.
2. Inexpensive to Buy
Large pet stores stock a variety of hamsters that cost $15 to $20.
Sometimes, if a female hamster has a litter of pups unexpectedly,
pet shops will allow you to adopt a young hamster at no cost.
3. Inexpensive to Feed
Canned cat and dog food can bloat your grocery bill, but a twopound bag of hamster mix will barely make a dent in your
budget. You can feed your hamster for a month or longer on less
than $10. One small sack contains enough seeds, grain and
protein pellets to keep your hamster's bowl full for weeks.
4. Easy to Water
Hamsters learn as babies to drink from a water bottle that hangs
on the side of the cage. Just fill this bottle with fresh water every
third day and your hamster will do the rest. On a hot day, you'll
never need to worry that you forgot to refill her water bowl.
5. Small Habitat
You don't need a huge yard or a nearby park for your tiny pal to
romp in. You won't need a roomy crate or doghouse, either.
Hamster habitats come in many sizes and you can buy one that
fits your living space. Make sure your pet has space to explore
and climb. Some plastic habitats have movable tubes that can
be attached to extend the habitat's space.
6. Independent
The more you handle your hamster, the friendlier she will be.
However, she doesn't need company to keep herself entertained.
In fact, since she is nocturnal, her most active time will be when
you are asleep. She will be perfectly happy left on her own while
she eats, drinks, nests, hoards, cleans, gnaws, and runs, runs, runs
on her wheel.
7. Fun to Watch
Hamsters are speedy, curious and energetic, and offer tons of
entertainment. You can sit beside the cage, and watch your
hamster at work and play as she burrows and climbs. Outside the
cage, she will explore the environment and use you as a jungle
gym, scrambling up your arms and crawling over your legs
8. Exercise
Hamsters are always on the move and will keep themselves in
shape without a coach. You never again need to feel guilty
because you didn't have time to take your pet on a walk. As long
as your hammie has a wheel, she can run for miles without going
anywhere.
9. Size
Hamsters are known as pocket pets, and are small enough for a
child to carry with ease. Their size makes them portable enough to
accompany you wherever you go. Make sure to keep your
hamster secure when you carry her. If you drop her while you
stand or walk, she could break a leg. Keep a good hold on her.
Hamsters are excellent escape artists.
10. Grooming
You don't have to struggle to get this pet into the bath or pay
expensive grooming fees. Like a cat, your little friend will take care
of her own grooming needs, and will keep her fur clean and fluffy.
If you see her lick her paws and run them over her face, you know
she is washing up for dinner.