Cost
You will need to spend around $45 at first for the cage. Around $50 for food, $20 for toys and treats, and $180 on bedding per year.
Housing
Syrian hamsters are solitary and must live alone. ONE Syrian hamster per cage. To prevent fighting among them which may lead to death.
Dwarf hamsters on the other hand like to live in pair or group. DO NOT house hamster of different sex together as hamsters breed very fast.
DO NOT place cage under sunlight and draft. Try to place the cage in a cool environment. Use aspen shaving, recycle paper, timothy hay or pellet bedding. DO NOT use cedar and pine shaving because record show that these bedding cause health problem to the animals.
Hamsters like to exercise a lot so have a wheel and some tube for them to run around. Hamsters also like to hide around, put some shredded paper so that the hamsters can use it to make their nest.
General Care
Hamster's teeth grow continuously so they need a thing to chew so attach a wood or twig. It is for gnawing.
Wash your hand every time before you handle your hamster. Cause the smell of the things you previously contact might be a smell of treats to the hamsters.
It take some time for your hamster to adapt to your smell.
Life Span
For normal dwarf hamster the life span is about 1 - 2 years. As for the golden hamster the life spam is around 2 - 3 years.
from source: http://www.hamsterific.com/HamsterHandling.cfm
http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/small-pet-care/hamster-care.html
