How Much Does A Hamster Cost At PetSmart?

Last Updated on May 31, 2024
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

With their small size, relatively low maintenance needs, and cute appearance, hamsters are an extremely popular first pet for kids and families. For those considering getting their own pet hamster, major retailer PetSmart provides a wide selection of hamster breeds available for purchase along with all the necessary supplies and accessories.

But beyond just the upfront cost of buying a hamster itself, there are additional habitat setup expenses plus ongoing ownership costs to factor in for properly caring for your new fuzzy friend. This comprehensive guide will break down in detail the typical price ranges for purchasing different types of pet hamsters from PetSmart, the supplies you need to get started, estimated monthly care and feeding costs, tips for saving money, and the benefits of buying from a major pet retailer like PetSmart.

Highlights

Purchase price runs$10 – $25depending on breed, age, and promotions.
Initial habitat setupcosts$60 – $185.
Monthly care and suppliesaverage$15 – $40.
An annual vet visit adds$50 – $100.
Buying in bulk, sales shopping, and DIY accessories can save money.
Major retailers like PetSmart offer selection, availability, and experienced staff.

How Much Does a Hamster Cost at PetSmart?

The upfront cost of purchasing a hamster itself at PetSmart typically ranges:

Syrian Hamsters–$12 to $20 – The largest and most common hamster breed kept as pets. Also referred to as “teddy bear hamsters” due to their cute facial features and short, thick fur coats. An ideal starter hamster.
General Dwarf Hamsters–$10 to $15 – Encompasses several smaller hamster species in the Phodopus genus, including Campbell’s, Winter White, and Roborovski hamsters. Very energetic and social. Good pets if you want multiple housed together.
Russian Dwarf Hamsters–$10 to $15 – A true dwarf hamster species with a distinct striped patterning in their fur. Shy but become very tame when handled regularly.
Chinese Dwarf Hamsters–$10 to $15 – The smallest dwarf hamster species, these are extremely active, fast-moving, and love to climb. Require lots of toys and exercise.
Winter White Dwarf Hamsters–$10 to $15 – A chubbier dwarf hamster with a thick white coat that becomes grayish in warmer months. Docile and enjoy burrowing.

Pricing will vary slightly based on the specific breed, as rarer specialty breeds tend to cost a little more. Younger juvenile hamsters also are priced lower than mature adults. And seasonal sales or special promotions that PetSmart runs can bring the cost down further. But overall, expect to budget$10 to $25for the hamster itself.

On the PetSmart Small Pet Supplies page, they showcase various small pets, including hamsters, with prices ranging from $4 to $25. This suggests that the cost of a hamster at PetSmart in the US could fall within this price range.

The PetSmart Canada website lists the price of a Russian Dwarf Hamster as $14.99. Although this is for the Canadian website, it gives an indication of the potential price range for hamsters at PetSmart in the US.

Additional Upfront Habitat Setup Costs

Beyond just the initial cost of purchasing the live hamster, you need to budget for all of the additional essential supplies and accessories required to provide your new pet with a safe, comfortable, and enriching home habitat. Necessary habitat and care items include:

Wire Cage or Plastic Habitat– $30 to $100+ depending on size. Bigger is better to allow climbing and burrowing.
Bedding Material– $5 to $20 monthly for replacing soiled bedding. Aspen shavings or paper bedding are recommended.
Food Bowl– $3 to $5 for basic crock bowl. Should be heavy ceramic.
Exercise Wheel– $10 to $20 for an appropriately sized solid running wheel. No wire wheels that can injure feet.
Food– $5 to $15 per month for a quality hamster blend.
Treats and Chew Toys– $5 to $20 for variety. Look for natural wood chews.
Water Bottle with Dispenser– $5 to $10 for a dishwasher-safe glass bottle.
Hideouts and Habitat Décor– $5+ for fun tunnels, hides, and platforms. Can make some enrichments like toilet paper tube tunnels.

Expect to spend around$60 to $185altogether for a complete hamster habitat setup with everything needed for health and happiness. Buying larger bags of food and bedding helps save money over time.

You might also like our articles about the cost of hamsters in general, gerbils, or otters.

Monthly and Annual Hamster Care

In addition to the upfront habitat expenses, plan for regular ongoing costs of pet hamster ownership:

Bedding– $5 to $20 per month to keep habitat clean.
Food – $5 to $10 per month. portion out pellets daily to avoid waste.
Treats– $1 to $5 per month for variety and enrichment. Scatter feeding encourages foraging.
Toys– $1 to $5 per month. Rotate novel toys to prevent boredom.
Vet Checkups– $50 to $100 annually. Critical for health monitoring and illness prevention.
Miscellaneous Supplies– $5+ monthly for necessities like replacement water bottles, habitat cleaning supplies, probiotics, etc.

Total Monthly Care Costs: $15 to $40 on average

Annual veterinary checkups are highly recommended for hamsters to ensure a long, healthy life. This allows diagnosing and treating any issues early before they become serious problems.

Reducing Hamster Care Costs

Caring for a pet hamster does not have to be expensive. Here are great tips to reduce costs:

Buy cage bedding, food, and chew toys in bulk sizes online to save significantly over small pet store packages.
Routinely look for sales, promotions, and coupons on hamster supplies at retailers like PetSmart. Sign up for rewards programs and email lists.
Get creative and make homemade DIY hamster toys from toilet paper tubes, boxes, and other household items. Natural and recyclable toys stimulate curiosity.
Clean the hamster habitat thoroughly each week to avoid the need for vet visits due to dirty conditions. Good sanitation prevents illness and adds to lifespan.
Research basic hamster first aid online and keep a small pet first aid kit to treat minor injuries at home. Avoid unnecessary costly vet trips.
Consider adopting an adult hamster that already comes with a habitat setup. This saves hugely on the initial costs.

With smart shopping and care, hamsters can be an affordable starter pet for kids to learn responsibility.

Purchasing a Hamster from PetSmart

There are many advantages to buying a pet hamster from a large retailer like PetSmart compared to other options:

14-day health guarantee– Ensures the hamster is in good condition or can be returned for full refund or exchange.
Experienced pet care staff– Associates are available to answer questions and provide proper hamster care advice to new owners.
All supplies and accessories in one place– Cages, bedding, food, toys, etc. are conveniently in stock for a one-stop hamster shopping trip.
Vet and grooming services– Full-service vet clinics and grooming salons in most stores provide ongoing care.
Adoption program for rescued hamsters– Adoptable hamsters from shelters get a second chance rather than being sold to an uncertain fate.

For healthy, socialized hamsters plus expert guidance, PetSmart is a smart choice to get started with hamster ownership.

Comparison to Other Pet Stores

The price of purchasing a hamster itself at PetSmart is comparable and competitive with other large pet retail chains like Petco, Pet Supplies Plus, and Petland. Differences are typically only a few dollars. It pays to check who has the best sales.

Where major retailers excel compared to local independent stores is likely having a wider, more consistent selection of hamster breeds in stock at cheaper bulk pricing. PetSmart also has all the habitat supplies and accessories readily available too. So for convenience, selection, and competitive pricing, big chains are the way to go for hamster shopping versus small stores.

Examples of Hamster Costs at PetSmart

To better understand the typical total costs of buying and owning a pet hamster from PetSmart, here are two real-life scenarios:

New Hamster Owner Family

The Jones family has never owned a hamster before but want to get one for their 8-year old son who promises to help care for it properly. At PetSmart they purchase:

Adult male Syrian hamster – $17
Large wire cage – $65
Bedding, food bowl, water bottle – $25
Exercise wheel and hides – $35
First month total: $142

After the initial setup, the Jones then spend around $25 monthly on hamster supplies and food. An annual vet exam adds $75. For a low-maintenance starter pet, the hamster costs fit their budget.

Experienced 15-Year-Old Owner

Sarah has owned several dwarf hamsters before and knows how to properly care for them. At PetSmart she purchases:

Pair of young Winter White dwarf hamsters – $22 for both
Large plastic CritterTrail habitat – $85
Larger bags of Aspen bedding and food – $35
Assortment of tunnels and chews – $15
First month total: $157

Sarah saves money by buying some hamster items in bulk sizes, spending just $15 monthly afterwards on necessities. Her knowledge of hamster care minimizes vet bills.

Final Words

Do your homework on hamster breed traits and expenses so there are no surprises. With proper care, hamsters can be an affordable and fun family pet.

Frequently Asked Questions

Below are answers to some additional common questions about purchasing hamsters at PetSmart:

What does PetSmart do with any unsold hamsters?

Rather than sell hamsters with unknown fates, PetSmart partners with local animal shelters and rescue groups to have unpurchased hamsters adopted. Their policy is to find every hamster a safe and caring home.

Do you have to be 18 to buy a hamster at PetSmart?

PetSmart does not specify an age requirement to buy a hamster. However, an adult or parent should supervise younger children getting their first pet to ensure proper care.

How old are the hamsters that PetSmart sells?

The hamsters’ ages range from young juveniles to mature adults depending on recent shipments. Ask a PetSmart associate for specifics on the ages of their current hamster selection to determine the best fit for your family. All are healthy and well socialized.

How Much Does A Hamster Cost At PetSmart? - ThePricer Media (2024)