- Feeding. One of the most common symptoms of a sick hamster is loss of appetite. And because these guys are so little, not eating can be fatal.
- Water. Liquids are SUPER important. Like with food, move the water bottle close to their sleeping quarters for easier access.
- Keep 'Em Comfy. It’s common for sick hamsters to become chilled, so you want to keep them warm (but not hot, which can lead to death by heatstroke).
- Limit Activity. Even though they may love it, try removing their exercise wheel until they’re feeling better. Some hamsters continue to exercise when sick, and we don’t want that.
What foods are harmful to a hamster?
Other Foods Not Suitable For Hamsters
- Dairy products
- Biscuits
- Bread
- Chips
- Chocolate (unless specifically made for hamsters)
- Dairy products
- Biscuits
- House and garden plants - not all, but better safe than sorry
- Jam
- Pasta
What fruits and vegetables are safe to feed hamsters?
- Pear – Pears are thought to be healthy and digestible for hamsters. ...
- Although many hamsters don’t like to eat it, it is still healthy and safe for Syrian hamsters. ...
- Apple – Apart from the dry palettes, you can feed Apple to your Syrian hamster in a small quantity as a treat.
- Apricot – Dried Apricot and its stone/seed should be avoided. ...
What type of foods can you feed a hamster?
- Wild Harvest Nutrition Diet and Advanced Nutrition Diet plan for Hamsters and Gerbils
- Supreme Tiny Friends Farm Hazel Hamster Tasty Mix 2lbs
- Sun Seed Vita Prima Dwarf Hamster Food
- Kaytee Forti Diet Pro Health Small Animal Food For Mice And Rats, 5-Pound
- Kaytee Fiesta Hamster And Gerbil Food, 4.5-Lb Bag
When and how often do you feed a hamster?
You should feed your hamster twice day, once in the morning and then again in the evening. It's very important to take out any uneaten food because this will quickly go mouldy and if your pet eats food that has any mould on it, they could get very ill.
What to feed a hamster that isn't eating?
Lack of appetite in hamsters is a symptom of several hamster diseases so if you notice your hamster is not eating or drinking, take note....Some fresh and natural foods hamster can eat include:Bananas.Cucumber.Carrots.Brocolli.Cauliflower.
How do you comfort a sick hamster?
How To Comfort A Dying Hamster?Keep Them At An Optimal Temperature. ... Provide Them With A Clean, Calm and A Quiet Sleeping Quarters. ... Avoid Dehydration. ... Give Them Attention. ... Provide Pain Management Medication. ... Stress. ... Transmitted Diseases. ... Wet Tail.More items...
How can I tell if my hamster is dying?
When a hamster is dying, its breathing will be more agitated, choppy and its pulse will begin to diminish progressively until exhausted. It is also possible that your hamster may suffer from tremors or a stiff jaw. Signs of a dead hamster include: No apparent breathing or movement.
How do hamsters act when they are sick?
You may also notice your pet seems a bit lethargic: he may just curl up to sleep, and not want to do much. His little body may feel warm to the touch, and he may be thirstier than usual. Watery eyes, matted fur, and discharge from the eyes or nose are also indicative of colds in hamsters.
Why does my hamster seem weak?
Hamster Illnesses Hamster diseases can range from the common cold to diabetes. If your hamster is sick his symptoms may include lethargy, weakness, listlessness, he may appear uninterested in life, have dull eyes, dandruff, fur loss, a runny nose, diarrhea, lumps, bumps or strange wounds.
Can hamsters drink milk?
Feeding milk to hamsters can lead to diarrhea and which in small animals leads quickly to dehydration, and can be fatal for hamsters.
How do you save a dying hamster?
Instead of warming up your hamster slowly in a warm room, you can warm it more rapidly. Put the hamster, in its cage, in a warm place such as an airing cupboard. Depending on the temperature, the hamster may wake within 2 - 3 hours.
What is the most common cause of death in hamsters?
Heart Disease Congestive heart failure in hamsters is a likely cause of death for hamsters that die suddenly. This occurs when older hamsters or hamsters with a genetic predisposition have weakened heart muscles that cannot efficiently pump blood.
Can a hamster come back to life?
A British hamster has surprised his owner by coming back to life and digging his way out of a grave. A British hamster has surprised his owner by coming back to life and digging his way out of a grave. Dave Eyley, 49, says he buried 4-year-old Rhino in the garden after finding him “cold and lifeless” in his cage.
What does a sick hamster sound like?
Sometimes a sneeze is nothing more than a sneeze. Hamsters are like humans in that a bit of dust may cause the reaction. There are also times when sneezing and squeaking are the warning signs that your hamster is either sick or suffering from an infection.
How do I keep my dying hamster warm?
If it's a bit cold where you're from, placing a heat lamp near their cage may keep your hamster's den warm. It's advisable to keep a thermometer in the cage for you to regulate the temperature. The sustained temperature should range from 69°F to 72 °F (20 °C – 22 °C).
How do you revive a dying hamster?
Instead of warming up your hamster slowly in a warm room, you can warm it more rapidly. Put the hamster, in its cage, in a warm place such as an airing cupboard. Depending on the temperature, the hamster may wake within 2 - 3 hours.
How do you treat a stressed hamster?
How to Calm Down a Stressed HamsterKeep the hamster in a big enough cage. ... Keep the hamster cage in a quiet room. ... Be gentle when handling the hamster. ... Provide enough toys for them. ... Keep bigger pets away from the cage. ... Provide sufficient food and clean water. ... Avoid changing the hamster's habitat.
Is my hamster dying or hibernating?
Don't use body heat as an indicator Don't worry if your hamster feels cold. During hibernation your pet's body temperature will drop to match the environment, so coldness isn't always a cause for concern. If your hamster is also rigid and unresponsive, even in a warm temperature, however, it may have died.
How do you treat a hamster with a cold?
Just like the common cold in people, there is no 'cure.' The most important thing is to support the hamster's immune system so it can fight the inf...
How do you tell if a hamster is hibernating or dead?
First, think about the room temperature—if it is over 60 degrees F (15 degrees C) then the hamster is unlikely to be hibernating. Then, watch to se...
Can hamsters die from a cold?
Sadly, yes, hamsters can die from a cold. A fit young hamster with a healthy immune system may be able to fight off the infection. However, elderly...
What to do if your hamster is sick?
If your hamster is ill or injured, there are things you can do to treat it. After you observe the behavior of your sick pet and note the signs and symptoms, you can go about treating it for those ailments. It’s worth mentioning that the best treatment is illness prevention. That being said though, no amount of hamster care can guarantee your little ...
How to clean hamsters?
Begin by putting on some gloves (or washing your hands thoroughly afterward) and removing all the waste.
How to make a hamster more comfortable?
You can use a heating pad or a heat lamp. Make sure the sick hamster has a way to escape the bright light as in providing a hamster house to hide in and make sure not to over heat the habitat. This heat treatment will make the hamster more comfortable and less stressed. Stress typically leads to a lowered immune system.
How to sanitize a pet?
Sanitize all of the surfaces by using a diluted soapy water mixture or a 10% bleach solution. (1/4 cup of bleach to 2 1/4 cups water); rinse these surfaces well. residual bleach vapors can be toxic to anyone especially a small pet in an enclosed space.
Can you medicate a hamster?
You can easily give an overdose that poisons and kills these little guys. If you get medications from your vet though, it might not be easy to get your ill hamster to take its medicine.
Do you need a vet for a hamster?
It’s important to find a veterinarian early on before you ever need to treat a sick hamster. Not all vets have the expertise to cure hamster illnesses and injuries. Therefore, it’s important you look around to find one that can. It might sound crazy to need a veterinarian for a pet hamster but it’s the right thing to do if you have a sick ...
Can a Syrian hamster and a dwarf hamster be housed together?
This should only apply to dwarf breeds because the larger Syrian breeds shouldn’t be housed together in the same hamster cage. The last thing you want is to spread any illnesses to the other healthy ones or have an injuried hamster get stressed out with too much activity going on in its cage.
What to feed a hamster when it's hungry?
Feed the baby food through a medicine dropper or an eye dropper. If your hamster seems to be very hungry, keep feeding for a while, and then take a break then try to feed some more.
How to get hamsters to drink water?
Move the water bottle closer to where your hamster is sleeping, so he can drink more easily. If your hamster is very weak, you can offer water via an eye dropper a small amount at a time. You can also offer a weak solution of unflavored electrolyte ( half water, half electrolyte solution).
Why do hamsters stop eating?
Feeding: Sick hamsters often stop eating. This can be fatal due to their small size. Hamsters need to eat regularly so they can fight off infection and recover from their illness. You can move their food dish closer to where they sleep so that they can reach it more easily.
Should I quarantine my hamster?
If you notice your hamster is ill, be sure to quarantine him. This is a good reason why you should always have a quarantine tank set up. This makes for quick isolation from the rest of the group. (Having to either purchase or set up a quarantine tank can cause precious time to be lost, and hamsters often fall prey to illness very quickly.) ...
Can hamsters go into hibernation?
Keeping your pet comfortable: Sometimes, when a hamster is not well, not eating and not drinking, he can become chilled. This can even cause a hamster to go into hibernation. You want to keep your hamster warm, but not too warm (which can lead to death by heatstroke). Provide plenty of plain, unscented toilet paper.
Can hamsters exercise when sick?
Limiting your pet’s activity: At times, it might be necessary to remove your hamster’s exercise wheel until he is feeling better. Hamsters are known to exercise when ill, and this can actually result in injury or dehydration in your pet.
What to do if your hamster has a wet tail?
If your hamster has a wet tail, he will have a wet bottom and will be slower and crankier. Act immediately because this can be deadly. Wet tails come from dirty cages, so you should keep his cage very clean. To treat this issue, get a broad spectrum antibiotic immediately from your vet.
Why does my hamster have milky eyes?
Teeth problems can make your hamster feel unwell. A clear or milky discharge from the eyes can be a sign of overgrown teeth roots. Check to see if your hamster is eating properly. If he isn't, then a vet check is advisable to make sure there isn't a problem with overgrown teeth.
What happens if a hamster sneezes?
Respond to respiratory problems. If the hamster has a discharge from his eyes or nose, if he sneezes, or if he is hunched up and breathing using his stomach muscles, then he may have respiratory disease. There are certain things you can do to help with this. Make sure his bedding is clean at all times.
How to keep hamsters cool when they are sick?
Sick hamsters often lose body heat and feel cool to the touch. You can try standing the cage on a hot water bottle so that he gets under floor heating. Also try wrapping a small hot water bottle in a towel and rest the hamster on it. Be careful to do this in an escape proof box so the hamster doesn't run off.
How to tell if hamster has dental problems?
Another sign of dental problems is a wet chin or neck. This happens when spurs of teeth dig into the cheek or tongue, making it painful to swallow. Prevention is easier than a cure. This means you should give your hamster suitable items to chew on in order to keep his teeth short.
How to get rid of a hamster cage smell?
Use a spoon or a scoop to spot clean any wet bedding, and make sure the cage smells clean . If you can smell urine or ammonia, then the effect is a thousand times worse for the hamster. Spot clean every day, but try to do this in such a way that it does not disturb your hamster too much and add to his stress.
What temperature should a hamster be?
Limit extremes of temperature. The ideal room temperature for a hamster is between 68 to 72 degrees. If it is very hot, the hamster can suffer from heat stress, so make sure there is a fan blowing near the cage in order to circulate air and cool him off.
How to treat hamsters?
Pick a place where you can safely administer medicine to your ailing hamster. Your hamster might be most comfortable on the floor. Avoid using tabletops or counters, because the animal could fall and be seriously injured. Also make sure that there are no nearby glasses, knives, or other sharp objects.
How to give hamsters medicine?
Oral medication is usually given to hamsters in liquid form, with a small syringe or dropper. Make sure that you have a dropper as well as the bottle prescribed by your veterinarian. First, read the directions on the bottle of medicine. Look closely for the proper dosage.
How to restrain a hamster from licking a medicine?
Administer medicine. Take the dropper with your free hand, while continuing to restrain the hamster. Hold the dropper to the animal's mouth and, if it licks the tool, gently push the medicine out. The hamster might not be cooperative.
How to get rid of a hamster's poop?
If the veterinarian has suggested it, you might be dissolving meds into your hamster's water supply. Take the animal's water bottle from the cage and open it. Fill the bottle with water and add the medicine from the dropper.
How to restrain a hamster?
One way is to hold the animal down with the palm of your hand. Gently but firmly cup your palm and put it over the hamster's body, so that it cannot move and only its head is free.
Can you hide meds from animals?
On one hand, you're “hiding” the meds and do not have to handle the animal. On the other, it is hard to keep track of consumption, and the animal might taste the medicine and avoid eating or drinking. Take the medicine bottle and measure out the correct amount with a small dropper.
Do hamsters need medicine?
Like people, hamsters get sick and sometimes need medical care. Talk to the pet's veterinarian for advice. She will be able to recommend a course of therapy and tell you how best to deliver the hamster's medicine, whether orally, in food or water, or by injection. Steps.
Do hamsters exercise when sick?
Even though they may love it, try removing their exercise wheel until they’re feeling better. Some hamsters continue to exercise when sick, and we don’t want that. Injury or dehydration are possible outcomes.
Can hamsters die from heatstroke?
It’s common for sick hamsters to become chilled, so you want to keep them warm (but not hot, which can lead to death by heatstroke). Give them some extra bedding to make a nest and curl up… this can help fight the yucky cold feeling of their illness.
What happens when a hamster is sick?
A normal reaction would be for it to perk its ears up and look towards your direction. A sick hamster might be completely out of it and not have any reaction when you open the cage. It might also cower or get nippy as it might feel vulnerable when it is sick or injured. Of course, if your hamster is new, it might be a bit shy ...
How to tell if a hamster is sick?
The CDC offers advice on how you and your hamsters can stay healthy. Coat and Fur: A healthy one with a satin coat should have a sleek coat or fur. If it looks dull or wet, it might be a sign that it is sick. If a coat that is normally rex, now has a ruffled or dried out coat appearance, it can also be a sign of illnesses.
Why are my hamster's eyes red?
Some hamster breeds have reddish eyes, to begin with so it’s important to observe what the eyes of this hamster normally look like. Nose: The nose should be dry and not runny. A runny nose can be a sign of a cold or some other virus.
What are the symptoms of hamster abscesses?
If you have any strong doubts, consult a vet. Abscesses: lumps and bumps, possible redness or matted hair.
Is it bad for a hamster to have a wet tail?
Both of these are capable of limiting a hamsters food and water intake which can become a serious matter if the issue is not resolved. Tail: A wet hamster tail is not a good sign. This is wetness can either be fecal matter or urine.
How to tell if a hamster is sick?
Signs of a Sick Hamster 1 Loss of appetite 2 Inactivity 3 Weight loss 4 A dirty or matted coat 5 Hair loss 6 Lumps beneath the skin 7 Hunched posture 8 Excessive itchiness 9 Sneezing 10 Runny eyes or nose 11 Dull eyes 12 Wheezing or labored breathing 13 Shaking or shivering 14 Abnormal walk 15 Wetness in the tail area 16 Diarrhea 17 Discharge from the eyes, ears or nose
What does it mean when a hamster's tail is wet?
Wet Tail. Most common in longhaired and teddy bear hamsters, wet tail is a bacterial infection that causes watery diarrhea and dehydration. Additional signs include matted tail fur, a hunched stance and irritability.
What does it mean when a hamster has a bump on his cheek?
To the casual observer, your hamster’s filled cheek pouches might look like abnormal growths, but this is normal behavior for these scavengers. If you find lumps and bumps in other areas of your hamster’s body, however, these swellings might be associated with abscesses or tumors, Dr. Valdes says.
Why is my hamster's hair thinning?
If you notice your hamster’s hair thinning, consider seeing a vet. “It could be caused by skin parasites , bacterial infections , fungal disease and allergic reactions to bedding,” Dr. Valdes says.
Can hamsters die from poor care?
Hamsters are sturdy little animals, but poor care, an incorrect diet and an unhealthy environment can cause illnesses and even lead to death. If you don’t know what to look for, you might miss important signs of a sick hamster.
Can hamsters grow teeth?
Like all rodents, your hamster’s front teeth (incisors) grow throughout their lives. If they are not worn down properly, they can overgrow and cause severe problems. “The teeth can be trimmed or filed to the appropriate length under anesthesia at the veterinarian’s office,” Dr. Valdes says.
