Looking to own Hamsters again, but what kind?

So I'm working on convincing my boyfriend to get some variety of hamster, but I'm not sure what kind. I use to own Robos, a syrian, Dwarf Camps, a panda hamster, gerbils, and 2 male rats. As much as I love my fishes I can't cuddle them I'd love to have a Ferret, but it's not possible right now, so a Hamster would fit right in. I've narrowed it to Winter White Dwarf, Robo or the right syrian. I would keep the WWD and Robos in a pair setting (not pairs together but either two WWD or two Robo). I wanted to see if there are any breeders or anyone who had babies in the San Antonio, Texas area? I always got mine from Petsmart rescue bin (back office unwanted animals or just not well tamed animals from the front) so it might be nice to have some tamer hand friendly Hamsters. I'd prefer younger hamsters as they live short little lives.

I will make a bin cage of some variety, Not sure what size for the Syrian if I go that route or the WWD or Robo. I have a walmart near by though..I'm behind in what's popular and best to use for bedding, water bottles, wheel (back in my day the flying saucer wasn't good, now it seems popular). I also use to use the Eco paper bedding the came in the blue bag, now what's in use? Assuming getting bedding, cage materials (def gonna try the heavy wire lid, with an added hinge and closure), water bottle, food, food dish, treats, toys, homes, and so forth how much is the usual cost of starting hamsters now? (guestimations are apperciated). I need to catch up on how often to clean out the cage, sand bath stuff, feeding info lol. Anyone got a list of need to buy for the hammy? Thanks sorry for the randomness I'm excited.

Forgot to add I am open to suggestion as to small animals. I've never owned mice though,

 

I would totally go with a white dwarf... I love small things lol.

Or a chinchilla. I've always wanted a pair of chinchillas.

 

I really like robowskI hamsters!!

2nd with junebug, chinchilla's are good
guinea pigs also make good pets. or
maybe a white rat.

if your getting a hamster get a hamster ball too

 

Meh! They can't breath under water!

Small animals or small mammals?

If fur and milk aren't that important, I just "inherited" a book called 'How to keep unusual pets'. Suggestions include: Stick insects, snails, hermit crabs, jumping beans (larvae of Laspeyresia saltitans inside the seeds of Sebastiana pavoniana) locusts, blowflies, praying mantis, earth worms, barnacles, prawns and ants.

To me it all sounds a lot like fish food. Apart from the ants - I make a living eradicating exotic ants.

 

Count on spending about $100, depending on the price of your cage. I spent $80 and already had the cage. I bought 2 types of bedding, carefresh and aspen(I think its either aspen or ceder...which ever was what they can have-forgot) chips. I bought a cage from a yard sale for 5$ then bought a large tub and used tubes to make the syrian go from one to the other. It sounds like your list is pretty complete. Make sure your food has a lot of seeds, kind of like bird food. They actually need these more than anything. Make sure and give fruit or veggies daily in small amounts. Clean the cage once or twice a week, depending on the size. Wish you luck!! Personally id get a nice syrian. I had one 3 yrs and he snuggled and if he got out he'd wander the house till he found me(even with cats following him! Haha ) he would even climb up my bed if he got out in the middle of the night! Definitely a friendly hammie!!!

 

I would totally go with a white dwarf... I love small things lol.

Or a chinchilla. I've always wanted a pair of chinchillas.

I'm thinking a winter white or a syrian depending on what I can find. Any tips on picking a healthy winter white? I need to learn to gender them as I might get a same sex female pair...or are they better alone? Sorry to many questions, thanks for your reply.

 

I really like robowskI hamsters!!

2nd with junebug, chinchilla's are good
guinea pigs also make good pets. or
maybe a white rat.

if your getting a hamster get a hamster ball too

I like Robo's they are just so tiny and can be nippy. I have a hard time finding healthy ones near by as well. They are tiny fuzz ball of cuteness with personalities the size of cows.

I like Chinchillas, but like with ferrets they need bigger cages then I can handle and they can be hard to care for, add to that the hard to find in my area factor and it's a no go. ...least for now
Same with the cage for the G.Pig.

Yes indeed can't for get the most amusing part Thanks!

 

Teddy bear hamster all they way!

 

Meh! They can't breath under water!

Small animals or small mammals?

If fur and milk aren't that important, I just "inherited" a book called 'How to keep unusual pets'. Suggestions include: Stick insects, snails, hermit crabs, jumping beans (larvae of Laspeyresia saltitans inside the seeds of Sebastiana pavoniana) locusts, blowflies, praying mantis, earth worms, barnacles, prawns and ants.

To me it all sounds a lot like fish food. Apart from the ants - I make a living eradicating exotic ants.

Haha, yes well my fish would hate me if I tried to cuddle them and the thought of trying to hug a stick insect kind of...bothers me. I have had a Jumping bean before they are fun, but nit my favorite. Thanks for the different options haha. Good luck finding any in TX can't even find any non-abused or sick animals anywhere. I raise crickets for my fish do they count?

 

Count on spending about $100, depending on the price of your cage. I spent $80 and already had the cage. I bought 2 types of bedding, carefresh and aspen(I think its either aspen or ceder...which ever was what they can have-forgot) chips. I bought a cage from a yard sale for 5$ then bought a large tub and used tubes to make the syrian go from one to the other. It sounds like your list is pretty complete. Make sure your food has a lot of seeds, kind of like bird food. They actually need these more than anything. Make sure and give fruit or veggies daily in small amounts. Clean the cage once or twice a week, depending on the size. Wish you luck!! Personally id get a nice syrian. I had one 3 yrs and he snuggled and if he got out he'd wander the house till he found me(even with cats following him! Haha ) he would even climb up my bed if he got out in the middle of the night! Definitely a friendly hammie!!!

I was going to make a bin cage to help reduce cost, but sounds about like what I paid when I first got started so that's a good thing I guess. Thanks. I like Syrians, but the one I had was a 'rescue' she was not hand friendly and one day she bit my finger so badly it split it open from one side to the other. It was some what disturbing to see blood on its mouth sniffing at me. I know it wasn't her fault and she didn't mean it, but I'll have to find one very hand friendly. Your hammie sounds very sweet indeed! Thank you. Thanks for the info too.

 

Teddy bear hamster all they way!

Haha Teddy Bears are cute. I had a Panda Ham, it was a rescue because it had nerve or mental issues and couldn't walk right, but he was a sweetie and supper soft too. Thanks