Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster?

Hamsters are tiny, low-maintenance pets, which is why they’re a family group favourite with regards to choosing an a goodimal to bring in to the home.    

However, because of their size and minimal needs, getting pet insurance for the hamster might not be at the forefront of your mind. Or you may not know whether you have to obtain it for your new hamster at all.    

In this article, we will go over some things you need to know, where to find pet insurance and alternatives to insuring your hamster.

Hamster Insurance

Things to Know

There are a couple of things you need to know about hamsters and insurance policies for small mammals.

Hamsters are exotic animals

You may not think a vet bill for your hamster would be that expensive, but hamsters are classed as exotic animals. This may mean they’re harder to insure and could need to be treated by specialists.    

Getting specialist treatment for the hamster can rack up quite the bill if you don’t have insurance. So, don’t be fooled into thinking your small hamster equals a little vet bill; that is not the case!

Common issues with hamsters

It is important to know what common issues occur with hamsters. No matter what pet you have, it is always better to educate yourself on that specific animal so you’re in the understand, regardless of what is going on using them.    
 

Here are the most common issues you could encounter together with your hamster:

• Abscesses
• Skin disease
• Hair loss
• Chronic diarrhoea
• Respiratory infections

When you’re aware of what problems your hamster is likely to have, it is possible to keep a close eye out for just about any signs and symptoms. 

Perks to Having Pet Insurance

If you’re unsure whether to get insurance for your hamster, it always helps to understand exactly what insurance policies will cover. That way, you can decide if it’s best for you to take out insurance or not.

Exotic pet insurance will usually help cover the following:

• Vet bills
• Accidents and illness
• Death by weather perils or fire
• Public liability
• Theft

Every insurance policy is different, but some policies also include additional benefits perfect for hamster owners, such as if your hamster escapes! If you lose your hamster, some insurers covers advertising costs to find them.    

Finally, a lot of people simply want peace of mind by taking out pet insurance. So no matter what happens, your hamster is cared for, and you’re not trying to scrape money together to pay for their treatment.

Where to Buy Insurance For Hamsters

Even though pet insurance for hamsters isn’t as common as insurance for cats and dogs, there are a few places to find it.

We recommend starting with GoCompare and Exotic Direct.

Hamster Insurance Alternative

Although hamsters are small pets that live their entire lives in cages, they still require exactly the same level of care and commitment that larger pets receive. Probably the most considerations to understand before bringing a hamster home as a pet is that they're nocturnal creatures. That means they are much more active at night than during the day. You might not desire to place your hamster’s cage in your bedroom because of this.

Common Hamster Health Problems

Caring for your hamster’s health is a big part of being a pet owner. Pet Assure is really a low-cost pet insurance alternative that helps you take great care of one's hamster. It covers all in-house medical services, including those related to pre-existing conditions. A few of the specific health issues your hamster might experience include:

• Chronic diarrhea: Poor diet, stress, and bacterial infections could cause digestive issues for hamsters, including chronic diarrhea. Some hamsters create a condition called wet tail from persistent diarrhea that also includes symptoms of poor appetite, inactivity, and inability to look after their coat.
• Hair loss: Hamsters can lose hair when another hamster chews on them or from rubbing up against feeders or cages. Unfortunately, hair reduction may also occur due to kidney disease, thyroid issues, or adrenal tumors.
• Respiratory infection: Hamsters can simply catch a cold or pneumonia from their human owners, this means it’s especially important not to expose them to those who are currently sick. The most frequent symptoms are runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, and wheezing.
• Skin disease or abscess: Typically caused by the ringworm parasite or an infestation of mites, skin disease in hamsters can cause infections and allergic reactions. A hamster can develop an abscess because of an infection underneath the pores and skin that breaks open from the small cut.

Dental problems, diabetes, and the normal issues associated with aging may also be common in hamsters. So, if you can’t afford insurance or you’re simply not convinced you need it, here are some alternatives.

‘Hamster Fund’

Now, hamster insurance may be too pricey for you and that’s okay. If that’s the case, some hamster owners suggest putting away everything you can each week/month; a ‘hamster fund’ for just about any emergencies that do appear.  

This is a much more affordable method for a lot of people, and even though you might still be left with a hefty vet bill, you’ll become more prepared this way. Plus, if your hamster never gets sick, you've got a nice pot of money to accomplish whatever you would like with!

Hamster Care

Taking good care of your hamster isn’t negotiable. No matter whether you have insurance or not, every hamster owner should know how to take proper care associated with their small mammal.  

However, if you decide not to take out insurance, extra care for your hamster will go a long way.   

Here are a few quick tips to keep your hamster in tip-top health:

• Feed them the correct, natural, nutritional food, and don’t overfeed them.
• Keep their cage clean (clean once per week).
• Provide them with a wheel for exercise.
• Give them toys to chew on to keep their teeth short.
• Buy toys/hideouts that can keep them active and happy.
• Minimise stress by not overhandling them or changing their environment

Again, it is vital to look after your hamster properly, whether or not or not you have pet insurance. 

Should I Get Pet Insurance For My Hamster?

At the end of the day, it really is completely up to you whether you get insurance for the hamster. In case you have the funds and would like the satisfaction knowing you’re covered if your hamster does get sick, it seems sensible to obtain insurance.  

However, if you’d rather set aside a small amount of funds designed for hamster care, that’s also a viable option. It can also be more affordable for many individuals. 

Either way, as long as you take good care of your hamster, you will dramatically decrease the chance of needing to take them to the vet. Of course, there’s always an opportunity they'll get sick, but with insurance or a ‘rainy day’ fund, you at least won’t be panicking concerning the vet bill.