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purchase chinchilla sand . fill a bowl with chinchilla sand . place the bowl in your hamsters cage . observe how your hamster uses the sand .

how to groom a syrian hamster 2

making a container of chinchilla sand available to your hamster will help keep it clean and groomed . this product is readily available at pet supply stores . a bowl made of a hamster - safe material such as terra cotta is ideal . place enough chinchilla sand in the bowl so that it is about one - half to three - quarters full . that way , your hamster will be able to easily climb in and out of the bowl . your hamster should be able to freely access the bowl of chinchilla sand , and it is perfectly safe to leave the bowl in its cage . setting the bowl near the hamsters exercise wheel can encourage it to use the sand . many hamsters will roll around in the chinchilla sand , using it as a dust bath . this will keep their fur clean and free of greasy buildup . some hamsters may use the sand bowl as a litterbox . otherwise , it is fine to reuse the sand as long as it is not soiled .

remember that most hamsters do not need to have their claws trimmed . give your hamster materials to encourage healthy claws . clip your hamsters claws if necessary . see a vet if you need help .

how to groom a syrian hamster 3

clipping a hamsters tiny claws can be difficult to do correctly , and in many cases it is unnecessary . most hamsters will be able to keep their own claws trimmed naturally , just by playing and behaving normally . you can help your hamster keep its claws trimmed , however , by placing objects for it to scratch inside its cage . a bowl of chinchilla sand , like one used for sand bathing , will often do the trick . you can also try putting a clay tile in your pets cage . when your hamster digs or scratches , its claws will be naturally trimmed . if your hamsters claws are unusually long , or do not seem to stay trimmed naturally , you can attempt to clip them . however , make sure that your hamster is calm before you begin , and offer it plenty of treats . hamster claws are very small , and so you may find that a magnifying glass comes in handy . good lighting will also make it easier to see what you are doing . you can use nail clippers to do the job . grasp your hamsters claw gently but firmly . be patient and cautious , and clip only the very end of your hamsters claw . if you try to clip off too much , you may hurt your hamster or cause it to bleed . if your hamster becomes anxious or wiggles away while you are trying to clip its claws , just let it go and try again latter . forcing the hamster to have its nails clipped will only make it frightened , and the process will become more difficult . trimming the longest claws first can be most effective . that way , if your hamster wiggles away , you will at least have helped some . you should not need to clip your hamsters claws more than once a month , and perhaps even less frequently . if you are really struggling to clip your hamsters claws , or feel like it has a claw - related issue unusual length , hangnails , infection , etc . contact a vet . it is better to get help than to accidentally hurt your pet .

set up a dust bath . pour some of the dust or sand into a container . brush the hamster . remove the bathing dish . trim the fur . try a wet bath . shampoo and brush the hamster . dry the hamster . put the hamster in a warm place . trim excessively long nails from your hamster . change the bedding . put objects into the cage for teeth length . start cleaning sessions when the hamster is young .

how to groom a long haired hamster

you can purchase dust powder or bathing sand from a pet store . these may be for rabbits or chinchillas , but can be used for the hamster . pick a container that is made of ceramic , but is fairly shallow . these containers should not be easily overturned . fill the container enough to allow the entire animal space to roll in it . allow the hamster a few minutes to roll around in the sand . use a soft brush or clean hold the hamster in one hand , or let a helper hold them rag . gently dust off the hamster with the soft brush or rag . avoid the eyes , ears , and mouth . use quick , light strokes . clean the dish out thoroughly with water , and towel dry it to make sure its completely dry before a later use . use a fresh batch of dust or sand each time if brushing and bathing doesnt improve your long haired hamsters fur then you may resort to trimming . avoid holding the hamster on its back while you do this . keep it held in your hand or the hand of a helper . use a small pair of scissors to trim just a little at a time from the matted fur . trimming may even be preferable to the hamster feed the hamster a small piece of fruit or vegetable to keep it calm during the process . get a shampoo specifically designed for hamsters or small pets from a pet store or pet aisle . set some towels around to protect against splashing . make sure youre in an area you dont mind getting wet like a sink or basin . wet baths are usually not a great idea for hamsters as they can remove essential oils from the hamsters coat . use a soft grooming brush . hold the hamster in one hand , or let a helper hold them . pour a little of the shampoo onto the brush with some warm water . work it into the hamsters fur with brief light stokes . avoid the eyes , mouth , and ears . use a soft towel . you can cradle the hamster in the towel as long as the hamster has support , and feels safe . make sure to gently pad down all of the hamsters fur so its dry . dont be so rough you scrape the skin . if the hamster seems to be panicking or squirming then revert to the single hand - held method . check for drafts . you want to make sure the hamster is not exposed to any cold air vents , wind , fans , or anything else that might make it cold while wet . you need to leave it in this warm place until its fur is completely dry . you might want to leave some rags , treats , and toys for the hamster to have while it waits . use a pair of small human nail clippers or nail clippers designed for a pet such as a cat . hold the hamster in one hand or the hand of a helper and clip the lower tips of the nails . you want to take extra care not to clip too far up the nail and risk clipping a blood vessel . if you trim the quick or blood vessel then you can use some baking soda on the area to help stop the bleeding . usually a hamster wears down their toenails through digging and climbing , but if the nails are growing so long they harm the hamsters ability to walk or function then you can try trimming them . remove the hamster to a temporary holding area like a shoebox . completely remove all bedding from the main cage into a trash bag or similar disposable container . thoroughly cleanse the cage with water , and dry it with towels or paper towels . once try replace the bedding with a less entangling material . tangles can occur with paper bedding too , but this might be a slightly better option . consider sawdust as a bedding material . you can buy chew toys from a pet store . you can also improvise some gnawing elements for the hamster by putting in a small piece of untreated wood or tiny untreated branch from a hardwood tree . these all need to be pesticide free . hamster teeth , like that of other small rodents , grow continuously . hamsters need something to gnaw on to keep their teeth at a comfortable length . trees that tend have good wood for hamsters to chew include aspen , oak , apple , and cherry . do short cleaning sessions especially with the brush and bathing techniques first . increase the time you spend cleaning the hamsters fur for each session until you can get a complete cleaning and drying session performed . matted fur can be a problem as the coat comes in later , but you want the hamster used to the cleaning routine early

brush your long - haired hamster . buy a rubber finger - brush for your hamster . cut your long - haired hamsters fur . remove toxic substances from your hamster . use a damp cloth for clean your hamster . avoid using anything other than water . dry your hamster completely .

how to groom a hamster 1

long - haired hamster may get dirt or mats in their fur that can only be removed by brushing them . the best instrument to use is a clean , unused , soft - bristled toothbrush . some hamsters may enjoy being brushed , and will sit still for you . others may find it very annoying and try to get away . long - haired females may not need to be groomed as often as the males , as their normally have shorter fur . some long - haired male hamsters have a ‘skirt at the end of their bodies , made of fur . this fur may need to be cleaned more often than other parts of them . you may want to get in the habit of brushing your long - haired hamster once a week . if you want to try something different , and if you think your hamster would appreciate it , you can buy a small rubber brush that slip onto your finger . some are designed for pets , some are designed for humans as tiny massage fingers . if you find one and want to use it , it would work the same as a toothbrush . just remember to be gentle . some long - haired male hamsters have skirts that can be a couple of inches long . these skirts may end up dragging through your hamsters water dish or poop and getting dirty . while your hamster should be able to clean his own skirt , it may be easier to simply cut back the fur instead . this is also helpful in the warmer months if your hamster is overheating . you can cut back the length of his skirt to keep him cool . be careful that you dont accidentally cut your hamsters tail , which will be shorter than the skirt . if your hamster should get himself into trouble and get some sort of toxic substances on him , you do not want him to lick it off . hamsters clean themselves with their tongues and mouths , which means anything they clean off their fur will be ingested . do the following insteadif possible , use scissors to cut away any fur that contains the toxic substance . if you cannot cut off the fur maybe , as an example , the substance is also on his skin , use a clean , unused , soft - bristled toothbrush with a very small amount of warm water . use the toothbrush and water to clean the area until all the substance is gone . if you use water to clean you hamster , use the smallest amount possible . one alternative to using a wet toothbrush to clean your hamsters fur is to use a damp cloth . as with the toothbrush , use only the smallest amount of warm water you can . and if possible , try to only get the top layer of your hamsters fur wet . it may seem tempting , but never use shampoo or soap on your hamster . if you need to clean him , use only warm water . and use as little water as possible so as not to remove any of the important oils on his fur . the only exception here is if your vet recommends something specific . before you hamster goes back in his cage , make sure he is completely dry . any dampness left in your hamsters fur can cause him to get cold , which in turn can make him sick . if youve used water on your hamster to help clean him up , you may want to hold him until hes try , in order to allow you body heat to warm him up .

start with the right food . offer healthy snacks . provide chew toys . prevent your hamster from getting bacteria in his mouth . restrain your hamster . check for other dental problems . see a veterinarian .

how to clean a hamsters teeth

feed your hamster a hard food , such as a store - bought pellet food or seed mixture . there are many different varieties available at pet stores that are specially formulated to meet the nutritional needs of hamsters . avoid feeding your hamster soft foods unless he has some kind of dental disease that makes it difficult to chew . dont give your hamster any food that has been ground up , as the small particles can get stuck between his teeth , causing cavities . you should also supplement your hamsters diet with healthy snacks like raw fruits and vegetables . these provide nutrients , and the hard texture also helps promote good dental health . be very cautious when purchasing store - bought treats for hamsters . some of them contain sugar , which can cause dental problems like tooth decay . you should also not give your hamster any human foods that may contain added sugar . its best to stick to fruits and vegetables the occasional dog biscuit makes a great treat for hamsters . dog biscuits are hard enough to help hamsters keep their teeth short , and they also contain lots of calcium , which is a vital nutrient that helps keep teeth strong . hamsters love to chew , and doing so keeps their teeth filed down to a healthy length . make sure to put a few different items in the cage for your hamster to gnaw on . there are a wide variety of chew toys for hamsters to choose from at pet stores . some hamsters also enjoy chewing on the nylon bones that are sold at pet stores for dogs . not all kinds of wood are healthy for hamsters to chew on . avoid giving your hamster any wood that has been treated with pesticides or finishes . some woods also splinter too much , so its best to stick to small branches from fruit bearing trees if you dont want to use store - bought chew toys . there are a lot of bacteria in the human mouth , and it is possible to pass these bacteria on to hamsters by kissing them or sharing food with them . if you avoid doing these things , you will help keep your hamsters mouth free of bacteria that can cause issues like tooth decay . before you attempt to inspect your hamsters teeth , it is important to make sure you have him properly restrained so that he cant escape or bite you . try holding back the skin on the scruff of his neck , which will cause the corners of his mouth to turn up into a smile , making it easier for you to examine his mouth . be careful not to hold onto the scruff too tightly or your hamster may become uncomfortable . some hamsters have problems with the alignment of their incisors the front teeth . this is because a hamsters incisors never stop growing . the top and bottom teeth are supposed to rub against each other . this friction and the friction of chewing helps to keep a hamsters teeth from becoming overgrown . if your hamsters teeth are naturally crooked or if one of them breaks , the teeth may become too long . this is a serious condition that can cause severe pain and prevent your hamster from being able to eat . if you do notice that your hamsters incisors seem misaligned or overgrown , see a veterinarian for advice . the condition may require regular trimming of the teeth , which should be done at the veterinarians office with a special tool . pay special attention to the shape and length of the incisors . you should be able to see broken or misaligned teeth without having to restrain your hamster . always bring your hamster to the vet if you have any reason to believe that he is suffering from some kind of dental problem . the vet can perform and in - depth exam and let you know exactly what you need to do to address your hamsters condition . signs of dental problems include drooling , weight loss , bad breath , and a change in appetite . you should also be aware of the color of your hamsters teeth . while yellow is normal and healthy , dark brown or black is not .

feed pellets to your hamster . add fruits and vegetables to your hamsters diet . include hard dog biscuits in your hamsters diet . eliminate high - sugar foods from your hamsters diet .

how to prevent dental problems in hamsters 1

a hamsters incisors two curved , front teeth grow throughout their lives . in the wild , hamsters eat a variety of foods plants , seeds , fruits to keep their incisors worn down . for your pet hamster , feeding pellets will give it something healthy to gnaw on . make sure the pellets you feed are made specifically for hamsters . feeding hamster - specific pellets will ensure that your hamster gets all of the nutrients it needs in the right amounts . seed mix is also good for hamsters . a seed mix with dried vegetables , pellets , grains , and seeds would be a very healthy choice for your hamster . feed your hamster one tablespoon per day of either seed mix or pellets . your hamster might get bored eating only pellets or seed mix every day . fresh fruits and vegetables will add variety and balance to your hamsters diet . two to three times a week , feed your hamster bite - sized amounts of fresh produce , such as carrots , apples , and spinach . fresh produce will give your hamster something hard to chew on that will keep its incisors worn down . do not feed your hamster broccoli or cauliflower , since these could give your hamster gas . wash the fresh produce first to remove pesticides . hard dog biscuits will help prevent overgrown incisors . once a week , give your hamster a dog biscuit to gnaw on . depending on the size of the biscuit , you may need to break it into small chunks to help your hamster chew on it . make sure the dog biscuits are unflavored . foods that have highly - digestible carbohydrates can contain a lot of sugar , which could give your hamster cavities . high - sugar foods to keep out of your hamsters diet include commercial honey treats and chocolate .

do not worry if your hamster is a little dirty . give your hamster a dust or sand bath . keep your hamsters cage very clean . try a paper - based bedding for your hamster . provide materials for your hamster to chew on . watch your hamsters nails . take your hamster to the vet if he stops grooming .

how to groom a hamster 2

hamster spend up to 20 of their time grooming . if you hamster looks a little dirty at one point , he may clean it up himself in a short while . before trying to ‘help you hamster by grooming him , just wait a few hours or even a day to see if hes able to clean himself up . some hamsters may enjoying having a ‘bath in chinchilla sand or rabbit dust . this dustsand is designed specifically to help keep small animals clean , but works great for hamsters too . simply put some dustsand in a container big enough for your hamster to roll around in , and put the container in your hamsters cage . the container should be sturdy enough that it doesnt slide around in the cage when your hamster is using it . the container should also have low enough sides so your hamster can safely climb in and out . if you feel it necessary to sterilize the dustsand , you can put it in your oven in an oven - safe bowl for 10 minutes at 350f . one of the reasons it may appear that your hamster needs grooming is because hes constantly covered in dirt from his dirty cage . therefore , in order to prevent needing to groom your hamster , remember to keep his cage clean at all times . you should clean the cage completely at least once a week , without your hamster inside . put him in another safe place , empty out his cage , wash it , and them put fresh bedding in the cage . as youve probably already noticed , there are dozens of options for bedding at the pet store . to help keep your hamster clean , there are a few bedding options that may work better than others . one option is to use bedding made of recycled paper . another option is to use wood - based cat litter for bedding . hamsters have very interesting teeth . unlike some other animals , a hamsters teeth never stop growing . in the wild , a hamster would use his teeth enough to keep them at the proper length , but in a cage he may need some help . there are several things you can provide to your hamster that he can chew on and keep his teeth healthy . options are as followsunpainted , untreated wood chips . hay from the pet store . fruit - flavoured chew toys . twigs if you get them from outside , make sure they havent been sprayed with pesticides . scrap cardboard such as toilet paper and paper towel rolls , kleenex boxes , cereal boxes , etc . hopefully your hamster is active enough in his cage that his nails stay short on their own . but if you ever notice your hamsters nails growing too long , especially if theyre causing discomfort , you will need to have his nails trimmed . you can trim your hamsters nails on your own , using small nail clippers or animal nail clippers , or you can bring him to your vet for assistance . as already mentioned , hamsters normally spend 20 of their time grooming . but they also spend a significant amount of their time sleeping . however , if your hamster ever goes for 24 hours without grooming himself , it means something could be wrong . at this point it is best to take your hamster to the vet for a checkup .

avoid bathing your hamster if possible . clean the hamster cage more frequently . ensure that your hamster really needs a bath . try a sand bath first . make sure there is no other way to remove the problem substance .

how to give your hamster a bath 1

only bathe your hamster if there is something stuck in its fur or if he has come in contact with a toxic chemical . bathing your hamster in water washes out their natural oils and can seriously harm them during estrus , female hamsters can also have a different odor when they are in heat . the best way to address a smelly hamster is to clean out his cage more frequently . before attempting a bath , change your cage - cleaning habits and see if the smell improves . touch up problem areas up daily and change all of the bedding weekly . the only time you should give your hamster a bath is if there is something on its coat that could harm him , e . g . something toxic or sticky on his coat or something stuck to him that he could choke on if he tried to clean himself . if youve spilled something harmful on your hamster , you will probably wish to bathe it . if your hamster is not life - threateningly dirty , a sand bath should be sufficient . the hamster will roll around in the sand , and the sand will cause most dirt to fall off naturally . buy chinchilla sand at the pet store and put it in a little bowl for your hamster . make sure to buy sand , not dust , as dust can cause respiratory problems for your hamster . if the sand is a permanent fixture in your hamsters cage or playpen , make sure to check it daily as your hamster may start using it as a litterbox . for example , if your long - haired hamster has gum in its fur , you can simply cut it out .

give your hamster lots of chew toys . place a hamster wheel in your hamsters cage . use only soft bedding in your hamsters cage .

how to prevent dental problems in hamsters 2

chew toys are very effective at preventing dental problems in hamsters . giving your hamster a variety of chew toys will help prevent overgrown incisors . if you keep your hamster in a wire cage , the chew toys will keep your hamster from gnawing on the wires , which could damage its teeth . wooden chew toys , such as wooden blocks , are available at your local pet store . if you purchase wooden chew toys , make sure the wood is untreated and unpainted . although tempting , do not choose a tree branch or piece of wood from your backyard , since it may contain harmful pesticides , insects , or splinters . homemade chew toys are another good option . empty paper towel or toilet paper tubes make great chew toys . like chew toys , a hamster wheel will keep your hamster happily occupied and prevent it from chewing the cage wires . choose a solid hamster wheel . if the hamster wheel has wire slats , your hamster could get its toes or legs stuck in them , causing injury . hamsters have large cheek pouches in which they store food . hard , sharp bedding can damage the lining of the cheek pouches and cause abscesses pockets of infection . examples of soft bedding are carefresh® and yesterdays news® , which are available at your local pet store . do not use pine or cedar shavings . they have rough textures and can splinter into small , sharp pieces that can damage the inside of your hamsters mouth .

examine your hamsters teeth weekly . open your hamsters mouth . look at the inside of the mouth . monitor your hamster for other signs of dental problems .

how to prevent dental problems in hamsters 3

you can also prevent dental problems in your hamster by checking its teeth once a week . a regular check will help you detect dental problems early and get the problem treated more quickly . also , the more often you check your hamsters teeth , the better you will become at learning what is normal and abnormal . with your hamster in one hand , use your other hand to gently pull on the skin at the back of your hamsters neck . pulling back on this skin will cause your hamsters mouth to open so you can see the incisors and other parts of its mouth . if you do not feel comfortable doing this , ask your vet to show you how . the first time you open your hamsters mouth , your hamster may not be quite sure what youre trying to do . with regular practice , though , your hamster will become more comfortable with you opening its mouth . with your hamsters mouth open , look at the incisors and gums . check for anything abnormal , such as misaligned incisors and gums are that are red , bleeding , or swollen . if something doesnt look right , schedule an appointment for your vet to take a closer look . your hamster may not want you to look in its mouth for very long . try not to hold its mouth open for more than a minute or two . misaligned incisors occur when these teeth overgrow . the top incisors will not match up with the bottom incisors . overgrown incisors can grow into the upper andor lower jaws , which could contribute to problems with the gums . outside of the mouth , you may notice drooling due to overgrown incisors . , dental problems in hamsters can cause other health problems as well . for example , a hamster with dental problems may eat less and lose weight . it may also develop bad breath . a hamster with dental problems may eat less because it is not able to get food into its mouth and properly chew on it .

fill a basin with one or two cups of room temperature water . swab your hamster with the cloth . wipe your hamster off with a soft , dry towel . place your hamster back in its cage .

how to give your hamster a bath 2

add one drop of unscented pet shampoo . wet a washcloth and in the basin . if there are suds or any kind of lather , youve used too much shampoo . start over . very carefully rub in the direction of its fur , like you would when youre petting it . gently wipe your hamster with a very soft towel in the direction of its fur to remove water and dampness . be sure the cage is clean and fresh , and place the cage in a place that is a little warmer than normal if possible . make sure theres absolutely no cold air draft .

consider whether a bath is absolutely necessary . fill a bowl with a couple centimeters water . bathe your hamster very gently with plain water . add unscented pet shampoo if necessary . rinse the hamster . pat your hamster dry with a soft , clean towel . place your hamster back in its cage .

how to give your hamster a bath 3

only consider this if your hamster has come in contact with a toxic substance that cant be spot cleaned , and you cant bring it immediately to the vet . it is not uncommon for hamsters to die from being bathed , either by drowning or because they got sick after the bath . some situations that might warrant a bath include it fell in something that was potentially dangerous or toxic such as neat disinfectant , white spirit , corrosive substances such as an acid , nail polisher remover the coat got covered in something that would be toxic or cause a stomach upset if the animal groomed and swallowed it non - food substances such as those mentioned , or chocolate , jam , honey the hamster was covered in something really sticky which could irritate the skin chewing gum that could not be removed by spot cleaning or cutting fur or that would cause a bowel obstruction if the hamster chewed it off the skin blu tac , putty , wax or a substance that would damage the skin such as urine if you absolutely must bathe your hamster as a last resort , get a bowl and fill it with a couple centimeters of lukewarm water . moisten your hamster , taking care to keep the water away from her face . you can also use a cloth or an old toothbrush with soft bristles to gently clean the hamster . again , make sure not to get water on or near the hamsters face . , if water alone will not remove the toxic or sticky substance , you can use a very small amount of the mildest unscented pet shampoo you can find . be very careful to keep the shampoo and water away from your hamsters face . if you used any shampoo , be sure to use plain lukewarm water to rinse the hamster off and completely remove any shampoo residue . place your hamster on top of a dry towel and use the other end of the towel or a second towel to gently pat your pet dry . if you rub , be sure to do so very gently in the direction of its fur . make sure to get most of the water off before putting your hamster back in its cage to sleep off its agitation . make sure your hamster has plenty of substrate to dry itself on and to keep it warm .

gather your supplies . prepare the bath . allow your hamster to roll in the bath . address problems .

how to clean a long haired hamster 1

long - haired hamsters may need more cleaning than short - haired hamsters . if you notice your hamster seems dirty , a dry bath or sand bath is your best option . in the wild , hamster clean themselves using abrasive dirt or sand as water drains their fur of necessary oils . always go for a sand bath over a water bath . before you give your hamster a sand bath , gather your supplies . youll need a bowl or basin big enough for your hamster to fit and roll in comfortably . it should also be sturdy enough that it wont tip over in response to a hamsters movements . avoid bowls made of wood or other products hamsters may chew . make sure your hamster can climb into the bowl on his own without help . you need sand bath , which is a commercial product specifically for hamster and other small mammals . it can be purchased at a local pet store or online . it is designed to work by rubbing dirt and other grime out of your hamsters fur . sand bath is sometimes called chinchilla bath . the product should say somewhere on the label whether its safe for use on hamsters . dump one to two inches of sand bath into your bowl . then , place it in your hamsters cage . keep it away from areas where the hamster defecates , as hamsters sometimes mistake sand baths for a litter box . hamsters bathe in dirt and sand in the wild . therefore , a sand bath requires very little work on your part beyond preparing the bath . the majority of hamsters will climb into the sand bath without prompting and proceed to roll and bathe in the sand . the abrasive nature of sand bath removes dead skin particles and absorbs excess oils from the hamsters fur . allow your hamster to roll in his bath as long as he wants . then , remove the sand bath and throw out whats left in the bowl . most hamsters will instinctively climb into the sand bath without prompting . however , some hamsters may be unsure what the bath is . in this case , there are steps you can take to coax your hamster into the bath . give you hamster some time . it may take him a few minutes to figure out what the sand bath is , especially if hes never used it before . keep an eye on him for the first few minutes , leaving him alone with the sand bath . if your hamster does not seem interested in the bath , try coaxing him into the sand bath with treats or toys . its better to get the hamster to enter the bath on his own rather than picking him up and placing him in the bath . being physically forced into the bath can be jarring for your hamster . once in the bath , your hamster will likely figure out its purpose and begin rolling and bathing himself . the majority of hamsters enjoy rolling in a sand bath but some hamsters may dislike the process . if this is the case with your hamster , you can try to gently brush sand into his fur using a tooth brush or comb . if youre using a comb , make sure it does not have metal bristles . a small plastic comb with wide teeth is easiest on your hamsters fur .

give your pet a few days just to get used to the cage and their new home . if you havent already , buy something to carry your pet in , if its not trained . take your pet in the carrier to an empty bathtub with no water in . sit cross legged on one side of the bathtub . soon they might climb up onto your foot , or up your leg or something . if nothing happens after a while , place your hand flat on the bathtub . if they seem comfortable with you walking and resting near you , but not climbing on you , you can pick them up . once they have climbed on you and seem comfortable with you , you can get out . give it a few hours , then go back , and put your hand in the cage . keep doing it

how to make a hamster or gerbil trust you using the bath method

, if it has a sliding door , great . if not , just make sure it doesnt escape . open the carrier and let your pet run out on the other side , far away from you . at first it might be confused and cautious . just sit cross legged , and stay still . eventually , it might come a bit closer . keep staying still . remember , this is all new to them , but once they get used to it , youre like a giant jungle gym let them climb on it , but do not pick them up . place them gently on your foot . they will probably climb off right away , but now you have placed the thought in their mind that they can climb on you . put them back in the carrier , and take them back to their cage . they may not climb on it , but they probably will not bite . if they dont , job well done if they do , try it again another time you have not failed , because your pet probably trusts you more than before even when your pet has been trained , its still fun for both of you , so do it whenever you like

avoid wet bathing unless the situation is extreme . try to cut out dirty fur first . spot clean the dirty area if clipping fails . dry the hamster completely before returning him to his cage .

how to clean a long haired hamster 2

bathing a hamster in wet water is not recommended . water strips hamster fur of essential oils , which can cause health problems and even death . you should only wet bathe your hamster in the event something toxic gets stuck on his fur . in this case , you want to wash the material off before the hamster begins licking himself . do not jump immediately to wet bathing if somethings stuck in your hamsters fur . the ideal course of action for your hamsters safety is to take a small pair of scissors and clip out the infected fur . handle your hamster with care . if a hamster is frightened during the clipping process , he may squirm which can cause accidents . gently pet your hamster for a few minutes before picking him up . hold your hamster so that he remains relatively still but be gentle with him . hamsters are small and handling them too harshly can cause injury . slowly clip out the infected area of fur , making sure you get all traces of toxic material safely out of a hamsters fur . hamsters spend roughly 20 of their time grooming themselves . if toxic material is left in a hamsters fur , its very likely he will lick or chew at it . not all hamsters will cooperate when being clipped . if your hamster wont stop squirming , you do not want to risk injuring him . in this case , the best course of action may be wet bathing . however , you should never submerge a hamster in a bowl of water . instead , spot clean the area . first , take a soft - bristled tooth brush . add a little warm water and brush around the infected area . detangle any matted fur . then , take a small bit of cotton wool . add warm water and gently rub out the material from the hamsters fur . make sure you clean out all the material before finishing . never use shampoo on a hamsters fur unless it was specifically recommended by a veterinarian . as hamsters are not typically bathed , few pet shampoos are made with their safety in mind . shampoo can be potentially toxic to hamsters . long - haired hamsters rely on their fur to keep them warm . you should never return a hamster to his cage without drying him first . take a clean , dry rag and rub the wet area of your hamsters fur until its fully dry . this may take a few minutes . check the area with your fingers to make sure its dry before returning your hamster to his cage .

take your hamster to the vet if he stops cleaning himself . clean your hamsters cage regularly . handle your hamster with care .

how to clean a long haired hamster 3

its uncharacteristic for long - haired hamsters to stop cleaning themselves . grooming is necessary for their health and well - being . if your long - haired hamster suddenly stops grooming , this is a sign something is wrong . you should make an appointment with your vet for professional evaluation . hamsters are relatively tidy animals that do not need cleaning often . however , if your hamsters cage is dirty your hamster may end up with dirt and debris stuck in his fur . the best way to keep a longhaired hamster clean is to regularly wash his cage . you should clean and disinfect your hamsters cage at least once a week . remove your hamster from his cage before washing . place him in a safe enclosure where he cannot escape . remove all his toys , food and water bowls , and exercise equipment from the cage . throw out old bedding and any toys that cannot be washed or disinfected . use a disinfectant spray thats safe for hamsters . sprays for hamster cage cleaning specifically can be purchased at a pet store . you can also use water and white vinegar if youre worried about chemicals . spray down the cage with your disinfectant and rub it clean with a rag . spray the bars of the cage , as well as the floor . you should also disinfect the items you removed , like toys and bowls . make sure you rinse off and remove any remaining disinfectant . allow the cage and toys to air dry completely before returning your hamster to the cage . add new bedding and saw dust when you finish cleaning . if youre cleaning your hamster or his cage , how you handle him is important . hamsters can be social animals but they may be skittish especially if they dont know you well . take care when interacting with your hamster to avoid making bath time stressful . always try to get a hamster to come to you first . reach your hand into his cage and hold out your palm . allow your hamster to sniff you first before trying to pick him up or handle him . give your hamster treats and toys when interacting with him . this will help him develop positive associations with you . be mindful of your hamsters responses . if your hamster seems skittish or upset , avoid handling him . unless theres something toxic in his fur , it might be better to hold off on cleaning him until hes calm . you do not want cleaning time to be stressful for your hamster as its important he keeps his coat clean .

make sure both hamsters are dwarf hamsters , evaluate your hamsters age , size , and temperaments for housing them together .

how to introduce two dwarf hamsters 1

it is important that you are absolutely certain that theyre both dwarf hamsters because syrian hamsters are solitary , and are likely to fight to the death . make sure theyre the same type of dwarf hamster , because the campbells russian dwarf hamster and the winter white russian dwarf hamster are very similar in appearance . make sure that they are no more than 7 weeks old 4 - 6 weeks old is the best age for introducing them to each other . any older than 7 weeks and they are fully adults , making it near impossible to introduce them to new hamsters . make sure the hamsters are about the same size so there isnt a larger one picking on a smaller individual . make sure your dwarf hamsters have not lived more than 5 to 7 days alone . after living alone for a few days without being introduced to other hamsters they will not be able to tolerate being housed with other dwarf hamsters . if you dont want to breed the hamsters , make sure theyre the same gender .

buy your supplies first . read up on hamster sicknesses so you can tell if they are healthy or not . choose your hamster . ask a pet store worker if you can hold them . take your hamster home . let the hamster get comfortable . clean the cage . tame the hamster . allow the hamster to exercise . enjoy spending time with your hamster .

how to introduce a new hamster to your home

get a cage , food bowl , water bottle , wheel , chew stick , food , beddingcare fresh or aspen , a hideout , and treats . , inspect each individual hamster and watch them roam their cage for about ten minutes if they are awake . if the hamster is calm , doesnt try to bite or escape you yet perfectly healthy then thats a really good hamster . if you see a hamster with a peg leg , dont be alarmed . it doesnt effect the hamster as much as you might think . set up the cage and get everything together water bowl filled , bedding in cage , wheel set up , etc . etc . some hamsters get shy and try to hide why others roam their cage freely . to give the hamster some privacy shut himher in a dark room for at least an hour a day for shy ones , unless the hamster seems comfortable already . dont talk to the hamster very much and dont scare himher . you can watch himher get comfortable but not to much . go for a week or two without cleaning the cage so the scent of your hamster builds up and makes the hamster more comfortable . when the hamster is comfortable , take the cage apart and wash everything in hot water and hamster - friendly soaps . put fresh bedding in and fresh food and water . after at least two days , you should open the cage and give it food out of your hand . do this several times and also talk to it softly and pet it a little bit . after the hamster starts walking to your hand and doesnt bite you or get afraid , start taking it out a few times . make sure the hamster isnt scared and let it see that youre picking it up . keep holding it and it will become more friendlier to you . be patient . taming takes time . once your hamster is used to you , take it out of the cage and let it roam on the floor . close the doors and watch it always . after at least ten minutes and at most thirty minutes , let it come back . by now your hamster should be more gentle and used to its new home . enjoy your hamster

make sure that the existing cage is large enough for two dwarf hamsters . put your new hamster in one ball , and the old one in another . clean out the entire cage . put in the new hamsters sleeping hut , the new hamsters water bottle , the new hamsters wheel , and the new hamsters bowl and toys .

how to introduce two dwarf hamsters 2

there needs to be sufficient space for them to move about and to keep away from one another when preferred . make sure the cage is larger than 360 sq inches because 360 sq inches is the minimum for 1 hamster . this is just to keep them out of the way , it is not an important thing , but you do need them out of the cage for the next step . rinse everything with soapy water , including the cage . clean every single little thing that the cage has in it , and the cage itself . also put in fresh , clean bedding . this is so that the old hamster does not know where it is . make sure there is absolutely no odor of any of the hamsters . use pet safe disinfectant . keep the old hamsters stuff in , but as cleaned . ensure that all of your new hamsters stuff is in the cleaned cage already .

try this method first . start to slowly introduce them . leave the male or the newest dwarf hamster in the cage for at least 30 minutes to 1 hour . once you have done this , place the other hamster or the female in the cage .

how to introduce two dwarf hamsters 3

if it doesnt work , switch to the second approach following . after you have put all new fresh , clean bedding in , you can either put the newest dwarf hamster in the cage first or , if you are introducing a male and a female put the male in first . do not do this any other way . let the first hamster sniff around for about 45 minutes . you will need the hamster to do this so that it can explore the new cage . , normally they will get on as happy as can be but some hamsters are just uncooperative

if the prior method of introducing fails and they start fighting , try plan b . repeat the delicate procedure of cleaning the cage . make sure the dwarf hamsters can see smell and hear each other . put both hamsters in . reintroduce the hamsters . if this does not work the first time repeat one to two times more .

how to introduce two dwarf hamsters 4

then add a divider . separate the cage with wire mesh that they are not able to get through . this works best with an aquarium . ensure that they both have all the necessities for example , food , water and toys . leave them in their separate spots in the cage for a week or so . change their water and food when needed . after the week is up , take the mesh divider out and let them explore around with the other hamsters . hamsters are very sociable and normally enjoy the company of others .

place the hamsters habitats side by side . place each hamster in the other hamsters habitat or cage . use a very large habitat that can house two hamsters . after about a week , take out the mesh divider out and let them finally see and smell each other . if they are housed together successfully , continue to be watchful .

how to introduce two dwarf hamsters 5

make sure they can hear , smell , and possibly see each other without being able to touch each other . switch which side they are on daily . you can do this by placing one in a box and putting the second one in the first hamsters cage , and then placing the first hamster in the second hamsters cage . at first , the hamsters will be stressed as theyll think theyre in enemy territory , but once getting used to the other hamsters scent , you can leave them in there for longer periods of time . start out by a few hours each day , then increase to a whole day . switch the first and second hamster into different habitats daily . it must be at least 3–4 feet 0 . 9–1 . 2 m long and have lots of floor space . make sure that it is new and that neither hamster has been in it before , so it will be neutral ground . have a wire mesh divider to separate it into halves , so that your hamsters can be near each other but cannot try to harm each other . set up each half of the habitat as you would a single habitat and place one hamster on one side of the divider and the other hamster on the other side . after a 3 to 5 days , begin to switch which side of the divider they are on . this stage may take about a week , depending on the progress of your hamsters . have only nesting houses and hideouts that have more than one exit so that one hamsters cannot corner the other and start a fight . have enough food , water , and toys for each hamster . if the hamsters start to fight , youll have to try to continue switching them on each side of the wire mesh divider . if it fails again and again , remember that some dwarf hamsters simply like to live without the company of other dwarf hamsters . if the hamsters sniff each other , act cautious , and chase each other around without fighting , they may be doing well . watch them closely , especially during the mornings and late afternoons and evenings . they may look friendly towards each other during the day but fight at night , so be watchful . if the hamsters fight and bleed , you probably shouldnt try to introduce these two hamsters to each other . hamsters that have lived together for a long period of time over a year may suddenly begin to fight . make sure you provide two water bottles , enough food for two hamsters , nest boxes , hideouts , two of each toy , and two exercise wheels to prevent fighting . if bullying or frequent fighting occurs , youll need to separate them .

leave your hamster alone in its cage for a day or two when you first bring it home . place a treat in your hand . train your hamster to perform simple tricks . watch your hamsters body language . check the eyes and ears . check its body . check its behavior .

how to gain your hamsters trust , tame them and communicate with them

making sure its undisturbed will allow your pet to grow accustomed to its new environment before you handle it . you should resist the urge to pet or pick up your pet , as this may alarm them and break its trust . instead , start by putting your hand in the cage and allowing it to sniff you so that it becomes familiar with your scent . if your hamster sniffs you before running away , understand that this is normal behavior . continue doing this for two or three days . remain still and allow the hamster to come to you . wait for a few moments to give them time to accept the treat , but be cautious , as they may nibble your fingers or bite you . after a few times of taking the food , they might eventually climb onto your palm and eat there . while they are completely focused on enjoying the treat , slowly lift them into the air and place them onto your lap . with a firm but gentle grip , carefully stroke their fur . after a moment , place them back into the cage . performing this action will help create a trust bond . place a treat slightly over their head and encourage them to stretch up for it . every time you do this , tell them in a firm voice , stand . your hamster may eventually stand whenever you command them to , even if there is no treat . if they obey you , make sure to reward their behavior . this method can also be applied to other tricks , such as paw , only you place the food in front of them so that they have to reach out for it . it can be a strong indicator of your pets health and happiness . it can tell you a lot about your hamster and what it is thinking . you can keep track of its regular habits so that if something is wrong , you can immediately tell by watching its behavior . the more you know your pet , the faster youll be able to catch signs of deteriorating health or happiness . the following steps will help you to find out what youre trying to know . if they are alert or looking around , your hamster has just seen or heard something of interest . if they are laid back and half closed , your hamster is tired and you should let it sleep . if it is standing motionless on two legs , it hears and sees something and is standing to get a better look . if it is curled up in a ball , your hamster may be tired . squealing is usually a bad sign . it could be your hamster is angry , annoyed , scared , or in pain . check for illness or other possible causes . squeaking means that either your hamster is frightened or wishes to be left alone . constant gnawing on the cage means that your hamster needs something to chew on , as it is bored or stressed . if your hamster frequently runs , stops , frantically looks around , and ferociously grooms itself before repeating the routine , your hamster may be bored , stressed , wanting to exercise , anxious or flustered . give it something to do and check for any sources of stress . yawning and stretching are good signs , as it means they are content or recently had good sleep . if your hamster starts showing any type of irregular behavior coughing , sneezing , wheezing , walks hunched up , etc . it could be sick .

look for signs that your hamster is ill . keep him warm . check for dehydration . drip fluids to him .

how to treat your sick hamster 1

if you spot behavior that is different from the norm , monitor the hamster even more closely . this could be your first hint that he is about to become sick . look for signs of the following is your hamster sleeping longer than usual keep in mind that old hamsters naturally sleep longer . has your hamster lost his appetite does he no longer groom himself is he irritable when awake , is he slow moving , or does he have a hard time getting around has your hamster lost any of his fur , or have bald spots keep in mind that this is normal for older hamsters . does he have a wet chin or throat this can be a sign of dental problems . does he have difficulty eating , such as dropping food out of his mouth does he have a runny nose , teary eyes , or wet bottom do his droppings look different hamster droppings should be rod - shaped . watery droppings indicate too much fresh fruits and vegetables . hard , dry droppings indicate not enough . there may be situations where you hamster just feels unwell . there are some general things you can do to help nurse your hamster back to health . make sure to keep him warm . 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 doesnt run off . if he is not eating or drinking , or if he has wet tail , he will quickly become dehydrated . you will get a clue this has happened if you gently pinch his scruff and let go . if the scruff stays in a peak , then he is dehydrated . you can give him ordinary water , or purchase a fluid - replacement powder designed as a supplement for people with diarrhea , such as pedialyte or dioralyte . make this up as advised on the instructions . if your hamster wont drink this on his own , obtain a 1 ml syringe . hang a drop of the fluid on the end of the syringe and hold it to the hamsters lips . hopefully he will lick it off . if he doesnt , then wet the fur around his mouth so that he grooms himself and takes in the fluid . be extremely cautious about syringing fluid into his mouth . his small size makes it likely you will flood his mouth and he may inhale the fluid , taking it down into his lungs , which can cause serious pneumonia .

pick up your hamster very carefully . make sure your hamster has a neat and clean home that they cannot escape from . let it get used to its surroundings . spend time with your hamster . you generally want to clean its cage every week . give your hamster treats to show it how much you love it .

how to build a relationship with your hamster

find one that bonds and connects with you . you might not connect with all of the ones in the store , so try to find one that seems happy or at least the most willing of all of them to be with you . if it escapes , you may never find your hamster . when you bring your hamster home leave it in its new cage for a little bit and watch it to see how it reacts to its surface and living space . once its settled into its home make sure to have time alone with it and that you take it out of its cage . when starting out , it is recommended to not let it out with no boundary lines around the two of you so that it cant escape . know that if your hamster wants to jump out of your hands , it can . it can fit through very small spaces . give it fresh bedding toys regularly . you should give your hamster fresh water and food everyday . hand feed them to it as well , so it remembers that you gave them to it . but make sure your hands dont smell of food so that you wont get bitten .

respond to respiratory problems . help with dental problems . treat digestive disorders . take care of broken bones .

how to treat your sick hamster 2

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 . bedding soiled with urine gives off ammonia , which is extremely irritating to the respiratory system . 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 . check that the room temperature is within the recommended range and make adjustments accordingly . if the hamster has a sticky nose , try and wipe it clean with a damp cotton ball . this helps to keep the airway clear , which makes it more comfortable for the hamster to breath . 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 isnt , then a vet check is advisable to make sure there isnt a problem with overgrown teeth . if there is a problem with this , the vet can trim them back . if this is the case and the teeth are not trimmed , the hamster may progressively starve because he is unable to eat . 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 . avoid giving too many soft foods , such as strawberries or bananas , to your hamster because they dont need much chewing . instead , give him dry pelleted food and a block of wood for him to gnaw on . also give him cardboard tubes or boxes , which will keep his teeth healthy . plus , he will love to demolish them . 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 . if your hamster has diarrhea , stop feeding him fruits and vegetables until he is better . this condition is usually caused by intestinal or stomach blockage . the best way to avoid this is to provide some alfalfa as part of his diet . constipation is caused by lack of water in his diet . make sure fresh water is available for him at all times . if your hamster does become constipated , give him some carrots or other fresh fruits or vegetables as well as more water . there are levels of breakage that can either be deadly or be healed . if your hamster breaks a leg where you can see bones sticking out , he must visit the vet . if it isnt too bad , the vet may dress it and bandage the wound . if it is a really bad fracture with broken skin , he may need to be humanely euthanized . if the leg is at an odd angle but the bones are not exposed and he is eating and otherwise looks healthy , restrict him to one part of the cage for 4 weeks and take away his wheel . this forces him to rest so he doesnt use the leg . this gives the bones the best chance of knitting together . you may also take him to the vet and let him bandage his leg , though he will likely also recommend limiting your hamsters movements in his cage . never give pain relief to your hamster unless prescribed for the hamster by the vet . his small size makes overdose extremely likely .

keep a close eye on your hamster at all times . stress your hamster as little as possible . limit extremes of temperature .

how to treat your sick hamster 3

this will help you get to know what is normal for your hamster . check him at least twice a day and get used to how much he eats every day , how much he drinks , how active he is and when he most likes to play . by knowing this , it helps you spot when things arent right , such as his appetite has dropped off or hes drinking more than he did . knowing these small details will help you spot any possible sickness early in your hamster if it manifests in his daily routine . stress puts a strain on the immune system , which makes your hamster less able to fight off infection and get himself well again . stress to a hamster includes feeling threatened or unsafe , so make sure the family cat or dog cant sit staring at him for hours on end . consider covering half of the cage with a towel so the hamster has privacy and can retreat to a safe area if he needs to . avoid loud noises , which can also frighten your hamster . avoid anything in the air that could put a stress on its respiratory system , such as tobacco smoke or spray air fresheners . 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 . very low temperatures below 50 degrees , especially for more than 24 hours , can trigger the hamster to go into hibernation . this makes them go to sleep and they are not able to wake up when you stimulate them , so it can appear the hamster is dead . if you suspect this is the case , put the hamster in a hamster safe box , such as his carry case , and pop him in the airing cupboard for a few days . hamster that went into a state of hibernation will wake with this method .

pick a cage type . get the right size cage . find the best spot for the cage . allow your new hamster to adjust . introduce yourself to your hamster . try petting your hamster . start hand feeding your hamster . try picking your hamster up . pick your hamster up and hold it properly . put your hamster in an exercise ball . check for dangers .

how to create a bond with your hamster

when looking for a hamster cage , you will come across a few different types of cages . each type of cage will have its own benefits and drawbacks . review the following list to get an idea of which type of cage might work best for you and your new hamstermesh or wire cages are easy to clean and have great ventilation . however , they may have small openings that can let smaller hamsters escape . glass aquariums can provide a safe and secure home for your hamster . however , these cages are more difficult to clean . plastic habitats provide modular compartments and tunnels that can be very engaging for your hamster . the down - side of plastic habitats is that they have poor ventilation and are very difficult to clean . your hamster will want plenty of room to run , sleep , eat , and play in . you will have to find a cage that is also big enough to allow your hamster to nest and burrow in . remember to leave room for any toys or exercise equipment that you plan on placing in the cage . you will need a cage that is at least a minimum of two square feet . once you have a cage for your hamster , you will need to find a good spot in your home for that cage . you will need to find a place in your home for the cage that meets the following criteriathe ideal temperature for your hamster will be between 65 - 75 degrees fahrenheit . avoid placing the cage next to any strong drafts , heat sources , or direct sunlight . put the cage in a quite place . your hamster wont feel comfortable if they are disturbed often or are in a noisy environment . if you have just brought a new hamster home , you will want to allow it time to become used to its cage and new environment . by letting your hamster adjust to its new home , it will be more relaxed and more open to bonding with you . it can take up to three weeks to bond with your hamster , so be patient and work slowly . start approaching the cage more often and introducing yourself to your hamster . dont try to work too quickly . allow your hamster to see and hear you without touching or handling it . let the hamster know you are nearby . try talking to it as you work to introduce yourself . you can try placing your hand in the cage , but dont try to touch the hamster . allow your hamster to get used to your scent and presence before any handling is attempted . while your hamster is eating its food or a tasty treat you left it , you can try petting your hamster . by showing your hamster that your touch is nothing to fear , it will eventually relax and enjoy your handling it . it may take a few days until your hamster is used to you touching it . dont try to pick up the hamster at this point . if your hamster gets nervous and wants to hide , let it . after your hamster has been allowed time to acclimate to both its new home and owner , you can begin to hand feed it . work towards this goal slowly and never force any interaction between you and your hamster . start by placing your hand in the cage without food . dont try to touch your hamster , instead , allow it to investigate your hand on its own . add a treat to your hand when you put it in the cage . allow your hamster to investigate and take the treat if it wants to . after your hamster seems used to your presence and touch , you can try to pick your hamster up . work slowly and gently as you do so , watching for any signs of stress or fear from your hamster . never lift your hamster by the tail or the front legs as this will only cause injury . make sure you cup your hands and support the entire body of the hamster . try to let your hamster climb up and onto your hand before lifting it out of the cage . any pain or discomfort felt by your hamster will undo any bond and cause your hamster to fear you . make sure your hamster wont get hurt from falling if it escapes from your hand . after your hamster has been tamed and is comfortable with you picking it up , you can take it out of the cage to play . as always , be careful when holding your hamster to prevent injury or stress . never squeeze your hamster as you hold it . hold your hamster close to the ground or near your lap in case it jumps from your hands . if your hamster bites you , it may be tired and time to return to the cage . an exercise ball is a great way for your hamster to safely explore your house . these are hollow balls that your hamster can walk inside of , moving the ball and getting great exercise . exercise balls will keep your hamster safe as it walks around your house . you should still look for some dangers such as a staircase or other fall hazards . let your hamster play for no more that twenty minutes before allowing them a food and water break . before you let your hamster out to explore and get exercise , you will need to check the room for any hazards that may be present . hamsters can move quickly and are easily injured , so you will need to keep a close eye on them as they play . keep other pets or animals out of the room . look for any electrical cords that your hamster might chew . block off any small spaces that your hamster might squeeze into and become stuck .

look for signs of a fracture . distinguish between an open and closed fracture . know when to go to the veterinarian . be prepared for surgery . let your hamster get lots of rest . feed a nutritious diet . avoid bandaging the fracture . be patient and look for signs of healing .

how to treat your hamsters broken leg

you may be able to tell that your hamster is in pain . he might not be as active or wont want to move at all . other signs that your hamster has a fracture includeswelling a crackling or popping sound from the broken bone rubbing against itself the bone visibly sticking out of the open wound which is rare once you suspect your hamster has a broken bone , you need to determine what type of a break he has . if its an open fracture , the white of the bone will be visibly poking through the skin . if he has a closed fracture , the bones arent visible and theres no skin wound . instead , the broken bones remain sealed within the muscles of the leg . if your hamster has a closed fracture , you will noticedragging of the leg the hamster avoids putting weight on the leg a crunching sensation beneath your fingers when you gently feel the area if your hamster has an open fracture , you must visit the vet . you wont be able to treat this kind of break at home and without medical treatment , your hamster will get infected bone stumps , leading to general tissue infection , blood poisoning , and death . this is slow and painful for your hamster , so get immediate help . you should be prepared for the vet to suggest euthanasia , to prevent the hamster from suffering . if theres no medical option to treat the leg , euthanasia will save your pet from pain and suffering . if your hamster has an open fracture , the veterinarian may suggest that the best course of treatment is amputating the limb , or trying to fix the fracture . both of these are high risk procedures which need to be done under strict sterile surgical conditions in order to avoid infection . your hamster will need anesthesia to deal with the pain . be aware that the procedure is high risk and there is a high likelihood of the hamster passing away do not try to replace the bone ends under the skin without anesthesia , since this is incredibly painful for your hamster . it should only be done under trained medical supervision . do not give pain relief at home since the small size of the hamster makes it inevitable you will overdose the hamster . too much pain relief is harmful and could cause gastric ulcers or death . take away the hamster wheel to prevent further damage to the leg . if he lives in a rotastak system with multiple levels and pipes to climb through , remove all of the connections , shelving , or ladders to keep him in one unit . you should also avoid putting him in his exercise ball while his leg is healing . in general , avoid handling him in case he struggles and moves awkwardly on the broken leg . by preventing the hamster from being too active , you will reduce the amount of weight he places on the leg . this lets the fractured ends start knitting together and repairing . if the hamster is active and uses his wheel , he will disrupt the early scar tissue and delay or prevent healing from taking place . talk with the veterinarian about recommending a healthy diet that includes fresh fruits and vegetables . consider offering them dried vegetables and other pellets so that they dont rot when your hamster tries to hoard them in a corner of his cage . you may also want to offer milk to drink , since the calcium can help heal bones . but , make sure the milk is fresh and replaced at least every two hours to avoid bacterial contamination . dont feed your hamster too much , or it may grow overweight , which would put extra weight on its broken leg . not all hamsters can digest milk , so if his pellets become soft or he develops diarrhea , stop offering milk immediately . since hamsters are so small , its impossible to bandage the fracture in any way that will help the healing process . its more likely that a bandage would rub and cause skin sores , or distress your hamster . your hamster would most likely chew off the bandage , possibly swallowing some of it . the pressure of a bandage on the fracture could also cause more pain . keep in mind that while other animals , like cats or dogs , can have fractures supported in bandages , their bones are first aligned . the tiny size of a hamster makes this impossible to do . typically , a fracture takes at least 4 weeks to heal , but some hamsters could take longer , up to 12 weeks . once youve given him some time , watch for signs of healing , like walking on the leg , or no swelling over the fracture site . when you gently handle the leg , he wont react with pain and there shouldnt be any grating if the fracture has healed . if he reacts with pain , stop handling him immediately . the clearest way to tell if healing is complete is to have your hamster x - rayed . but , this is expensive and you may need to anesthetize your hamster . if your hamster has healed , you can reintroduce his wheel or multiple levels of his cage . there is a chance that your hamsters leg may heal incorrectly . if it does , dont panic . just monitor your hamster and it should be fine .

seek veterinary treatment . give the antibiotics as prescribed . monitor your hamster for side effects .

how to treat hamster respiratory illnesses 1

common causes of respiratory illnesses in hamsters are bacteria pasteurella , streptococcus and viruses flu virus . if your vet determined that a bacteria caused your hamsters respiratory illness , they will prescribe antibiotics . the type of antibiotic will depend on the specific type of bacteria your vet identified during testing . antibiotics will not work against viruses . however , a viral infection can weaken the immune system , causing what is called a secondary bacterial infection . if your hamster has a secondary bacterial infection , your vet will prescribe antibiotics . antibiotics may not work if they are given when the respiratory illness is already advanced . follow your vets prescription instructions carefully . for example , make sure you give the entire course of antibiotics to your hamster . even if your hamster starts looking better , give all of the antibiotics so all of the bacteria are killed . if you stop treatment early , bacteria could remain that would become resistant to antibiotics . the antibiotic will be a liquid that you will draw up into an eyedropper . place the eyedropper into the side of your hamsters mouth . slowly and gently empty the prescribed amount of antibiotic into your hamsters mouth . eyedroppers are available at your local pharmacy . hamsters are very sensitive to certain antibiotics . these antibiotics can cause digestive problems for hamsters , such as diarrhea . if your hamster develops diarrhea during antibiotic treatment , call your vet right away . your vet may prescribe another antibiotic for your hamster .

know when a new litter is born . keep the mother in a safe , quiet environment . watch for weaning . provide adequate food for weaned babies . remove pups at 3 weeks . separate hamsters into pairs , or alone .

how to learn when to separate hamsters 1

hopefully , youve already noticed that your hamster is pregnant . her belly has probably been bulging , and she hasnt been moving around very much . or , she may seem aggressive and restless—moving around quite a bit . hamster pregnancies last between 16 and 22 days . check the cage each day and mark on your calendar the day that the baby hamsters appear . make sure she has plenty of nesting material , such as cedar shavings . this helps the mother feel safe , and lowers the possibility that she will abandon or eat her young . leave new mothers undisturbed for 7 days . make sure the mother has plenty of food and water that is easily accessible . pups will try to nurse for several weeks , but the mother will start to discourage them after 10 days to 2 weeks . weaning is a sign that the hamsters are almost ready to be separated . when the pups are being weaned , provide some solid food that has been soaked in water . this can be pellets or other commercial hamster food . make sure the food and water are accessible to even the smallest pups . by now , the pups should all be eating solid food . you can remove them from the mothers company safely . if some of the pups are particularly small or unhealthy , they may need to stay with the mother for an extra week . hamsters should be separated from the mother by 10 weeks at the latest . dwarf hamsters do well in same sex pairings . this is particularly true of females . syrian or golden hamsters cannot be housed in pairs . they must be kept alone or they will become territorial and fight .

separate your sick hamster . make your hamsters cage comfortable . feed your hamster soft food . keep your hamster hydrated .

how to treat hamster respiratory illnesses 2

if you have several hamsters in one cage , put the sick hamster in a separate cage . this will give the sick hamster some peace and will prevent the healthy hamsters from getting sick . keep the sick hamster in a separate cage until it has fully recovered . during treatment , your sick hamster should be as comfortable as possible . make its cage comfortable by keeping it at a constant , warm temperature . hamsters are most comfortable when the temperature is 65‒75 degrees fahrenheit 18‒24 degrees celsius . normal room temperature falls within this temperature range , so place your hamsters cage in an area with a constant room temperature . if your hamster is having trouble breathing , place an open jar of vicks vapor rub near the cage where your hamster could smell it , but not have access to it . vicks vapor rub is available at your local pharmacy . it helps relieve congestion . place soft and comfortable bedding , such as plain , unscented toilet paper , in the cage . tear the toilet paper into strips so your hamster can make a warm nest to curl up in . place the cage in an area that is draft free and out of direct sunlight . make sure this area is quiet . with a respiratory illness , your hamster will not feel like eating much , if at all . to encourage your hamster to eat , feed it soft , moistened food . if you feed your hamster pellets , soften the pellets with a little bit of water before feeding them to your hamster . you could also offer your hamster small amounts of scrambled eggs or baby food fruits or vegetables . because the baby food has a liquid consistency , feed it using an eyedropper . if your hamster cannot eat on its own , feed your hamster by hand . staying hydrated will help your hamster feel better during treatment . move your hamsters water bottle closer to where your hamster sleeps . if your hamster feels too weak to drink on its own , give it a few drops of water at a time using an eyedropper . you could also mix lukewarm water with milk and a little bit of honey . talk with your vet before mixing anything into your hamsters water .

place the cage in a comfortable location . keep the cage well ventilated . clean your hamsters cage regularly . do not overcrowd the cage .

how to treat hamster respiratory illnesses 3

after your hamster has recovered from its respiratory illness , take steps to make sure it doesnt become sick again . just like during treatment , your hamsters cage should be in a draft - free area that is out of direct sunlight . if your hamsters cage does not have enough fresh air flowing through , there could be a buildup of ammonia from your hamsters urine . the ammonia could irritate your hamsters airways and cause respiratory problems . wire cages provide much better air flow than glass aquariums . if you have a glass aquarium , you can use a mesh lid rather than buying a whole new cage . a mesh lid would increase air flow through the cage . a lack of fresh air could also make your hamsters cage very humid , which could lead to respiratory illnesses . a well - ventilated cage will prevent your hamsters cage from becoming humid . a dirty living environment can cause respiratory illnesses in hamsters . to keep your hamsters cage in good shape , clean it twice a week . cleaning your hamsters cage involves replacing the bedding , as well as washing the water bottle , food bowl , and other cage accessories with soap and water . before you start cleaning , place your hamster in a separate cage . after cleaning , let the cage and cage accessories dry completely before putting everything and your hamster back in the cage . do not clean the cage too often . this could remove your hamsters scent from the cage items , making the cage feel unfamiliar to your hamster . an overcrowded cage would be stressful to your hamster . this stress could weaken your hamsters immune system , making a respiratory illness more likely . if you have a pair of dwarf or chinese hamsters , their cage should be at least 2 . 6 feet x 1 . 6 feet x 1 foot 80 cm x 50 cm x 35 cm . if you have more than a pair of dwarf or chinese hamsters , consider buying a larger cage or another cage of the same size . remember that syrian hamsters must not be housed in groups because they are very territorial .

create a comfortable home for both hamsters . look for signs of a positive relationship . look for signs of injury or bullying . enlarge their living space . separate the hamsters if the relationship has not improved . keep hamsters separated from now on .

how to learn when to separate hamsters 2

hamsters like companionship , but its important that they have enough personal space . there should be two houses and two of any toy to reduce competition . make it impossible for one hamster to trap the other . boxes or houses must have at least two exits . tubes should not be too long and should not contain blind corners . signs of a good relationship are sleeping , eating , and playing together . you can also look to see if the hamsters are grooming each other . hamsters are very active at night , so its possible you may not see them play together during the day . some squabbling and fighting is normal and even healthy . hamsters may be working out territory or dominance issues . however , if one hamster seriously injures another , that is not healthy . if a hamster is bleeding or appears weak or wounded , you need to separate the hamsters . let the fight resolve before removing a hamster . interrupting can make things worse or put you or the injured hamster in danger . sometimes hamsters fight because they do not have enough space . if your hamsters are not getting along , you can try giving them more space before separating them . make sure there is plenty of healthy bedding now that the space is larger . giving them a larger space may not solve the problem . keep an eye out to make sure that the hamsters arent hurting each other in the new space . you need to remove one of the hamsters before things get dangerous . when the hamsters are relaxed , reach into the cage and remove one of the hamsters . the separated hamster will need a new home with plenty of bedding and things to play with . the hamsters can be kept near each other , but make sure they cannot physically reach each other . sometimes people try to reintroduce hamsters after separating them . do not do this . there is a high likelihood that the hamsters will recognize each other as threats rather than old friends . you may choose to introduce new hamsters to the cages , depending on the species of hamster .

know the species of your hamster . know the sex of your hamster . try housing your hamster alone . try a new pairing . separate hamsters if necessary .

how to learn when to separate hamsters 3

if you dont know what species your hamster is , check with your local pet store or with a veterinarian . some species of hamster must always be housed alone . syrian hamsters must be housed alone . dwarf hamsters generally do well in pairs . never place hamsters of different species together . telling the sex of a hamster is usually rather easy . males have very noticeable testicles underneath their tails . when pairing hamsters , always choose two hamsters of the same sex , unless youre an experienced breeder . female pairings almost always work well . male pairings more often lead to conflict . even hamsters that are from a social species sometimes prefer to be by themselves . you can place your hamster in a cage by themselves and see if they seem active and happy . hamsters housed alone should get plenty of playtime with you . this satisfies their need for social interaction . if you suspect that your hamster would like a companion , you can try introducing a new hamster to their home . watch their interactions carefully . look for signs of positive companionship and of competition . if the hamsters fight continuously and do not exhibit positive ways of relating , you may need to house them alone once more . do not separate hamsters in the middle of a fight . wait until they are calm and relaxed .

talk with your vet about surgical treatment . discuss the risks of surgery . ask about other cancer treatment strategies . feed your hamster food and water . have your vet perform surgery . pick up your hamster . examine the incision site . watch your hamster for signs of pain . observe how much your hamster eats . follow up with your vet .

how to treat tumors in hamsters

after your vet has diagnosed a tumor in your hamster , talk with them about how to treat the tumor . for external tumors located on the skin , surgery is the best treatment option . for internal tumors inside the body , though , surgery would be more challenging because of a hamsters small size and tiny internal organs . your vet can help you determine whether surgery would be a good treatment option for your hamster . if you have a female hamster that has breast cancer , your vet may suggest other surgical procedures in addition to tumor removal . they may recommend removing the reproductive organs spay or removing the affected mammary gland mastectomy to keep the cancer from coming back . although surgery is usually the best treatment option , it does not come without risks . for example , because hamsters are so small , they can suffer from shock during surgery . shock occurs when the vital organs , like the heart , do not receive enough blood to function properly . in addition , because internal tumors are usually quite large by the time they are discovered , they are very difficult to surgically remove . surgery can be expensive , once you factor in the costs of anesthesia and any medications that may be needed before or after surgery . when you talk with your vet , bring up any concerns you may have about your hamster undergoing surgery . sometimes , a hamsters tumor cannot be completely removed surgically . it may be too large or located in an area that would make surgery difficult . in these cases , other treatment strategies , such as chemotherapy or radiotherapy , might work . chemotherapy involves the use of drugs that kill cancer cells by disrupting the cell cycle cell division and replication . radiation therapy uses a focused beam of radiation to kill cancer cells . your vet may recommend either chemotherapy or radiation therapy for your hamster . keep in mind , though , that because hamsters are so small , they are usually unable to handle chemotherapy or radiation therapy . if you are concerned that chemotherapy or radiation therapy on your hamster would do harm than good , you could decide to either let your hamster live with the tumor or euthanize your hamster . make your decision based on whether your hamster will have a good quality of life with the tumor . unlike other larger pets , hamsters can have free access to food and water up until surgery . prior to surgery , continue to feed your hamster as usual and provide it with plenty of fresh water . on the day of surgery , prepare a package of your hamsters normal amount of food . bring this food with you to the vet , along with your hamsters water bottle . because of your hamsters small size , your veterinary team will be extra careful to monitor your hamster during surgery . after anesthetizing your hamster , they will monitor its body temperature , breathing rate , and heart rate . they will also give your hamster fluids so it remains well hydrated during surgery . your vet will make an incision and carefully remove the tumor . after the surgery , either your vet or a member of the veterinary team will call you to let you know how the surgery went and how your hamster is doing after surgery . they will also let you know when you can come pick up your hamster . when you pick up your hamster , your vet will give you a set of instructions on how to care for your hamster at home . make sure to follow these instructions carefully to help your hamster recover after surgery . before heading home , ask your vet any questions you may have about at - home care , including how long will it make my hamster to recover what if my hamster looks sick will my hamster need medications check your hamsters incision site each day . it is normal for the incision to look a little red for a day or two after surgery . however , if the incision site is swollen or oozing yellow or green discharge , it may be infected . take your hamster back to your vet if the incision site looks abnormal . if the incision is infected , your vet will prescribe an antibiotic for your hamster . the antibiotic would be in liquid form . you would place the prescribed amount of antibiotic in a small syringe without the needle , open your hamsters mouth , and slowly push the syringes contents into your hamsters mouth . to keep your hamster from chewing at the incision , your vet may give you a small plastic collar elizabethan collar to put around your hamsters neck . your hamster would need to wear the collar for at least a few days after surgery . your hamster will probably be in some pain after surgery . however , because hamsters are prey animals , they try to hide signs of pain . your hamster may try to hide its pain , so you will have to watch it extra closely for any signs of discomfort . signs of pain in hamsters include decreased activity , scruffy furdecreased appetite , squeals of painhunched posture , not wanting to come out of their sleeping area call your vet if your hamster is in pain . your vet may prescribe a liquid pain medication for you to give your hamster . your hamster will probably feel a little groggy right after surgery , so it may not want to eat much at home . feed your hamster its regular amount of food and see how much it eats . if your hamster still isnt back to its normal eating routine after a few days , it may feel sick or be in pain . if your hamster is not eating normally , your vet may recommend a product called oxbow critical care . this product is usually fed to herbivores plant - eating animals like guinea pigs , but might encourage your hamster to start eating again . even if your hamster has a smooth recovery after surgery , your vet will want to see your hamster for at least 1 follow - up visit . during this visit , your vet will examine the incision site and make sure your hamster looks healthy overall . your vet may also want to see your hamster every few months to examine it for new tumors . your vet will let you know how often to bring your hamster in for an examination . if your hamster has developed other tumors , you and your vet will discuss treatment options again .

stop feeding your hamster fresh vegetables . give your hamster fresh water . consider feeding your hamster raspberry bush leaves or arrowroot . reintroduce vegetables after the diarrhea stops . watch for improvement . keep your hamsters cage warm . clean your hamsters cage . remove uneaten food .

how to treat diarrhea in hamsters

in small quantities , fresh vegetables are part of a healthy , balanced hamster diet . they are very nutritious and have extra moisture that keeps hamsters well hydrated . eating too many vegetables , though , can cause diarrhea because of too much moisture . to help stop your hamsters diarrhea , take fresh vegetables out of its diet . feed your hamster only dry food hamster pellets . hamster pellets are very nutritious , so you dont have to worry about your hamster not getting enough nutrients when it eats only dry food . like people , hamsters become dehydrated if they have diarrhea . make sure your hamster has plenty of fresh , cool water to drink so it can rehydrate itself . if you notice your hamster isnt drinking its water , give it water by handfill a small eye dropper with cool water . holding your hamster , put the eyedropper in the corner of its mouth . squeeze a few drops of water at a time into your hamsters mouth . talk with your vet about how often you should give your hamster water by hand . raspberry bush leaves and arrowroot can help a hamster recover from diarrhea . talk with your vet before feeding either of these items to your hamster . your vet can advise you on how much of these items to give your hamster to treat the diarrhea . after a day or two without vegetables , your hamsters diarrhea should stop . dont start refeeding vegetables right away , though . to allow your hamster to fully recover , wait one to two weeks before adding vegetables back to the diet . when you feed your hamster vegetables , make the portion size equal to a few raisins . feed the vegetables once a day . with normal cases of hamster diarrhea , the hamster will look otherwise healthy no hunching over or loss of appetite and be completely healthy again after a few days of eating a dry food - only diet . however , with more severe diarrhea , a hamster will not improve after a day or two . in fact , the diarrhea may get worse and the hamster may look sicker dull and sunken eyes , ruffled coat , weight loss . severe diarrhea is a symptom of wet tail , which causes serious illness in hamsters . if your hamster is not getting better , take it to your vet right away for further treatment . while you treat your hamster for diarrhea , make sure its cage stays warm 70‒85 degrees fahrenheit21‒29 degrees celsius . normal room temperature is around 72 degrees fahrenheit 22 degrees celsius , so keep your hamsters cage in a non - drafty room thats at room temperature . you could also place a heating pad available pet stores under the cage using these suggestionsplace the heating pad under a small portion of the cage so your hamster can move away from the heat when it wants to . after the heating pad has been on for a while , touch the bedding to see if it is warming up . do not use a human heating pad , since these pads automatically shut off and can leave your hamster feeling cold . this is important if your hamster has severe diarrhea from wet tail . a dirty cage can have a buildup of bacteria or other harmful organisms . cleaning the cage will remove disease - causing organisms . below are cleaning suggestionseach day , clean the food bowl and water bottle with hot soap and water . refill the food and water . change out the bedding weekly . leave a small section of old bedding in the cage so your hamster recognizes its scent on the bedding . once a week , remove everything from the cage . clean and disinfect the cage and plastic toys . each day , check your hamsters cage for uneaten food . remove and discard this food . if you leave the food in the cage , it could spoil and become an easy place for bacteria and mold to grow . bacteria and mold could make your hamster very sick .

take your hamster to your vet . isolate your hamster . treat your hamster as prescribed . repeat treatment , if necessary . clean your hamsters cage .

how to treat skin disease in hamsters 1

mites are one of the most common skin diseases in hamsters . your vet will diagnose mites by taking a skin scrape thin scrape of skin using a scalpel blade and analyzing it with a microscope . your vet may also brush your hamster while holding a white piece of paper to catch the mites . your vet would then look at the mites with a magnifying glass . two species of mites can affect hamsters . one of the species , demodex criceti , is fairly easy to see and will look short and squat when viewed with a microscope . if you have multiple hamsters , isolate the one with mites until after treatment is complete . mites are contagious , so you would not want your healthy hamsters developing a mite problem . if multiple hamsters are affected , treat them all at the same time . several treatments are available for treating mites . one treatment is medicated shampoo . however , hamsters dont like baths very much , so your hamster may resist getting bathed with the medicated shampoo . another treatment is a medicated ointment that you would apply to the affected skin areas . oral ivermectin , which kills parasites , is a treatment option . you would place the prescribed number of ivermectin drops into your hamsters mouth . anti - mite sprays are available as an over - the - counter treatment . talk with your vet before using an over - the - counter medication on your hamster . a whole body dip is recommended for severe mite infestations . this dip would be with a medicated bath product containing ivermectin . your vet would explain how to perform this dip at home . old hamsters and those with a weak immune system may need to be treated for mites more than once . talk with your vet before repeating treatment . hamsters can get mites from their cage bedding . therefore , cleaning and disinfecting your hamsters cage is essential to treating mites . first , remove everything from the cage and throw away all of the bedding . wash the entire inside of the cage with hot , soapy water and a sponge or scrub brush . wash all of cage accessories food bowl , water bottle , plastic toys with hot , soapy water as well . use a hamster - safe cage disinfectant , which is available at your local pet store . disinfect the cage and the cage accessories according to product label instructions . allow everything to dry before placing the items back in the cage . use clean , fresh bedding .

determine whether your hamster has a cheek abscess . take your hamster to your vet . allow your vet to treat the abscess . give your hamster antibiotics as prescribed . have your vet trim your hamsters teeth . feed your hamster soft , smooth food while he is healing . make sure your hamster gets enough fiber . consider using only soft bedding in your hamsters cage .

how to treat cheek abscesses in hamsters

before beginning treatment , it will be important to determine whether your hamsters swollen cheeks are due to an abscess or food storage . because your hamsters cheek pouches are so large , your hamster can stuff a lot of food into them and make them look swollen . if the swelling goes down after your hamster empties the pouch , then there is no abscess . if the swelling doesnt go down , then your hamster likely has a cheek abscess . an abscess would make your hamster feel sick . your hamster may eat less and look unwell in general e . g . scruffy fur , low energy level . a cheek pouch stuffed with food wouldnt make your hamster feel sick . if you think your hamster has an abscess , take your hamster to your vet for treatment . your vet will examine the swollen cheek pouches carefully to verify that an abscess is present . your vet may need to sedate your hamster to look inside its mouth . during the appointment , give the vet as much information as you can about your hamster and the cheek abscess . tell your vet what types of food your hamster eats , as well as the type of bedding in its cage . also , tell your vet when you first noticed the cheek swelling . to treat the abscess , your vet will open the abscess and allow it to drain . opening the abscess is a surgical procedure , so your vet will anesthetize your hamster . once your hamster is anesthetized , your vet will open the abscess with a sharp surgical instrument . to drain the abscess , your vet will use a surgical drain . this drain will prevent the abscesss contents from entering your hamsters mouth and spreading through its body . after the abscess is empty , your vet will clean the empty pocket and flush it with an antiseptic solution that will kill any remaining bacteria . you should be able to take your hamster home on the same day as the surgery , provided your hamster recovers well from the procedure . to prevent infection after the surgery , your vet will probably prescribe an antibiotic for you to give your hamster . follow the prescription instructions carefully and give the entire course of antibiotics . if you stop the antibiotic treatment early , the remaining bacteria could become resistant to antibiotics , making future treatment very challenging . the antibiotic will likely be in liquid form . to administer the antibiotic , draw up the prescribed amount of antibiotic into a small syringe without the needle attached . hold your hamster snugly , open his mouth , and gently push the syringes contents into the mouth . your vet can give you the syringes . if you are unsure about how to use the syringe , ask your vet to demonstrate how to use it . contact your vet if you have trouble giving your hamster the antibiotic . overgrown incisors curved middle teeth can damage the cheek pouches and are the most likely cause of an abscess . if your hamsters incisors are overgrown , your vet will need to trim them down with specialized dental tools . do not trim the teeth yourself you could damage the teeth and create even sharper tooth edges . your hamster will need to be anesthetized for the teeth trimming . your vet may want you to schedule regular teeth trimmings . if your hamster eats something sharp , that food could scratch the linings of the cheek pouches . soft foods like cereal and rice would be good to feed your hamster as his abscess heals . if your hamster eats pellets , you could soften them by adding a little bit of water to them not so much that the pellets become soggy . other soft foods includescrambled eggs cooked oatmeal yogurt talk with your vet about how much of the soft food to feed your hamster . you may be worried that hay or chew toys e . g . hard dog biscuits , wooden sticks might harm your hamsters cheek and cause another abscess , but this is unlikely . by depriving your hamster of these things , you may actually be increasing his chances of getting another abscess , as his teeth may become overgrown without fiber and things to gnaw on . if you use wooden sticks , make sure the wood is not pine or cedar—pine and cedar are toxic to hamsters . once your hamster has been treated for a cheek abscess , it will be important to prevent future cheek abscesses . using soft bedding is a great prevention strategy , since soft bedding will not scratch the lining of your hamsters cheek pouches . shredded paper is ideal soft bedding for your hamster . you do not have to buy shredded paper—simply tear unscented toilet paper or paper towels into strips . you may wish to provide soft bedding while your hamster recovers , but it is likely not necessary to make a permanent switch . carefresh® and yesterdays news are soft beddings that you can purchase . wood shavings , hay , and straw have sharp edges . do not use them in your hamsters cage . create a thick layer of bedding on the cage floor . replace the bedding when it becomes dirty or wet .

have your vet diagnose ringworm . follow treatment instructions . clean your hamsters cage . keep the cage well ventilated .

how to treat skin disease in hamsters 2

the term ‘ringworm is misleading because ringworm is actually caused by a fungus trichophyton mentagrophytes , microsporum . if your hamster has ringworm , you will see patches of hair loss where the skin looks crusty , flaky , and red . your vet will diagnose ringworm by looking at the affected skin with a special lamp and examining some of your hamsters fur with a microscope . the affected areas of skin look like rings . ringworm is common in older hamsters . several treatment options are available for ringworm . one option is medicated shampoo , containing either povidone iodine antibacterial or an antifungal medication . consider trimming your hamsters fur before the bath so the shampoo is most effective . be mindful that your hamster may resist getting bathed . topical treatment with griseofulvin , an antifungal medication , is another treatment option . your vet would shave the affected skin areas first , then you would apply the ointment at home as prescribed . isolate the affected hamster during treatment . treatment for ringworm usually lasts 18‒21 days . hamster ringworm is contagious to humans , so you should wear gloves when handling your hamster and wash your hands after handling . a hamster can get infected with ringworm from its cage bedding . clean the cage and its contents with hot , soapy water . throw away all the bedding and put in clean bedding when the cage is completely dry . as with handling your hamster , wear gloves when cleaning its cage . if your hamsters cage doesnt get much fresh air , it could become damp inside , which would promote fungal growth and increase the risk of a ringworm infection . if you do not have a wire cage , consider purchasing one . a wire cage would have great ventilation . if buying a new cage is not practical , purchase a wire cage top to improve the cages ventilation .

take your hamster to your vet . allow your vet to treat the wound . remove the cause of the wound .

how to treat skin disease in hamsters 3

a hamster can get a skin wound by fighting with its cage mate or getting scratched by sharp bedding . this wound can become infected , causing an abscess pocket of infection to form . when you take your hamster to your vet , they will take a sample from the wound to identify the type of bacteria in the wound . the type of bacteria will determine which antibiotic will work the best . territorial female hamsters can bite each other . if an abscess has formed , your vet will surgically remove it and inject an antibiotic in the affected area . if the abscess ruptures on its own before surgical treatment , your vet will drain the abscess and flush the area with an antiseptic until its clean . for at - home care , your vet will prescribe an antibiotic ointment that you would apply to the affected area . if your hamster has a bite wound from its cage mate , put the hamsters in separate cages . if the wound was caused by sharp bedding , replace the bedding with something soft , like shredded toilet paper or paper towel . by removing the cause the wound , you can help prevent future skin wounds .

know a dwarf hamsters average adult weight . find a scale suitable to weigh your hamster . weigh your hamster . keep track of your hamsters weight . observe your hamsters general health regularly . put your hamster on a diet .

how to tell if a dwarf hamster is obese 1

in general there are three different species of dwarf hamsters that are kept as pets — russian or siberian dwarf hamsters , roborovski dwarf hamsters , and chinese dwarf hamsters . each species of hamster has a slightly different average weight range , as followsa russian or siberian dwarf hamster , also known as a winter white or campbells dwarf hamster , normally weighs 1 . 5 – 2 ounces or 40 – 60 grams on average . a roborovski dwarf hamster will normally weigh 1 – 1 . 5 ounces or 25 – 40 grams on average . a chinese dwarf hamster will normally weigh 1 . 5 – 1 . 8 ounces or 40 – 50 grams on average . in order for the weight of your hamster to register on a scale , the scale needs to be one designed for items like food or postal items . based on the average weight of a dwarf hamster , the scale needs to be able to read weights as low as 1 ounce or 20 grams . scales such as these can be found at kitchen stores or department stores , or even online . hamsters arent know for sitting still for very long periods of time as such , youll need to entice your hamster to stay on the scale long enough to obtain a weight . if you find your hamster wont stay on her own , you can try the following tricks to weigh herplace a very small box or container on top of the scale . this box needs to be big enough to hold your hamster , but small enough to fit on the scale . place a couple of treats or seeds inside the box or container . reset the scale to zero so the weight of the box and treats arent included in the measurement . place your hamster inside the box or container and hold your hand over top to discourage her from escaping . take note of the weight . once you know what your hamster weights , write it down in a chart . from this point forward weigh your hamster on a regular basis — once a month , or once every few months . each time you weigh your hamster , write it down in the chart . and , each time you weigh your hamster , compare his actual weight to the average adult weights for that hamster breed . baby hamsters will obviously weigh quite a bit less than adult hamsters , so you wont need to compare your hamsters weight to the adult average until hes at least 12 weeks old . if your hamster weights significantly more than the average adult weight for that hamster species , your hamster could be obese . comparing your hamsters weight to the average adult weight of that species of hamster is one way to determine if your hamster is overweight , but its not the only way . if you hamster has a higher than average weight , but shes active , energetic , bright - eyed , and eating properly , she may not be obese , just higher than average . if you hamster is showing signs of illness , in addition to being over the average weight for her species , theres a significant chance your hamster is obese . look for general signs of illness like dull eyes and fur , laziness and excessive sleep , and a serious lack of energy and activity . feel for the amount of fat that covers your hamsters bones . ok , hamsters are tiny , but you should be able to get an appreciation of where her ribs are and her backbone . if you cant and there is padding between your fingertips and the spine , then the hamster is likely to be obese . if you find that your hamster has an above average weight , and hes gotten a little lazy , it may be time to put him on a healthier diet with more time for exercise . allowing your hamster to stay overweight for too long is very unhealthy and can lead to more serious problems , such as a reduced lifespan , type 2 diabetes , heat intolerance , skin issues , heat and other circulatory system problems . a hamster diet simply means you need to follow a regular schedule and only provide your hamster with the proper amounts of food every day . you should also give your hamster the opportunity to do a variety of activities every day . the combination of both a healthy diet and regular exercise should get your hamster back to an average weight . if , however , your hamster has been overweight for a long time , or he is showing other signs of illness , you should take him to your veterinarian to be examined . if you have concerns about your hamsters diet , take him to your veterinarian and get help on what and how much to feed your hamster in order to help him lose weight .

ensure your hamster always has access to water . feed your hamster healthy food in the proper amounts . cut up some fruits and vegetables for your hamster . give your hamster healthy treats . have a salt lick in your hamsters cage . pay attention to the amount of food your hamster hoards . provide your hamster with in - cage exercise . allow your hamster out of her cage for exercise .

how to tell if a dwarf hamster is obese 2

hamsters , just like most pets , need access to a source of fresh water 24 hours a day . because hamsters spend the majority of their time inside their cages , the best source of water is via a water bottle that hangs on the side of the cage . while the water bottle may hold enough water to last more than one day , it is best to refill your hamsters water bottle every day . while a hamster can drink out of a water bowl , they arent recommended . not only can bowls tip easily which means you have to clean the cage more often but its easy for your hamster to get her poop or bedding in the water . an average , inexpensive water bottle will most likely be made of plastic . but because hamsters like to chew things , plastic water bottles and plastic food dishes , and plastic anything will likely get chewed and damaged over time and need replacing . instead , you might want to consider buying a water bottle made of glass andor metal so it wont need to be replaced later . in general , you should look for store - bought hamster food that contains 12 – 15 protein and 3 – 6 fat . if you hamster is already obese , youll want to look for a food with a lower fat content . all hamster food should have this information printed on the package , most likely on one of the sides . hamsters also need their food to be high in carbohydrates because they need a lot of energy to be so active . other things to consider when buying hamster food arealways make sure the food hasnt expired by checking the expiry date . select the bag with the expiry date that is furthest away . if you have store - bought hamster food at home for more than three months , throw it out and buy new food . dwarf hamsters only need to be fed 1 – 2 tablespoons of hamster food per day . you can give this amount all at once , once a day , or break up the amount and feed your hamster twice a day . always store your hamsters food in a cool , dry place . you can even put it inside an airtight container and store it in the fridge . a hamsters daily food intake should consist of at least 50 store - bought hamster food . its okay to feed your hamster both store - bought seed mixes and pellets at the same time . in fact , your hamster may appreciate the variety . seed mixes usually contain a variety of different seeds , grasses , grains , dried fruits , and vegetables . some hamsters may pick and choose which items they eat and which they leave behind — and theyre more likely to eat the high - fat items first . you can always sort out the seed mix and remove the high fat seeds e . g . sunflower seeds , pumpkin seeds , etc . and only provide them as a treat once in a while . hamsters can be fed all sorts of different fruits and vegetables , but each individual hamster may have her favourites . you can add approximately 1 square inch worth of fruits and veggies to your hamsters diet every day . if you feed your hamster too many fruits or vegetables , he may get diarrhea . its also a good idea to remove any leftover fruits and veggies from your hamsters cage within 30 minutes . hamsters cant always tell if fruit or veggies have gone bad , and can get sick from eating spoiled produce . the following fruits and vegetables are safe to feed your hamster celery , carrots , apples , broccoli , plums , figs , peas , strawberries , melons , beets , cauliflower , grapes , plantains , soy sprouts , pumpkin , sweet potato , rose hips , cucumber , zucchini , dandelions , clover , mint , timothy hay , herbal hay , stinging nettles , chamomile , apples , pears , hazelnuts , and bananas . you can also give a hamster the twigs from apple , pear , hazelnut and beech trees to chew on , although make sure theyre from trees that arent sprayed with pesticides . the following fruits and vegetables should be avoided , as they may make your hamster ill cabbage , onions , leeks , spinach , sorrel , rhubarb , raw potatoes , corn , alfalfa , citrus fruit , peaches , apricots , nectarines , pineapple , raspberries , twigs from evergreen trees , horse chestnuts , ivy , acorns , and any type of house plant . every hamster will have treats that she prefers over others . in addition to fruits and vegetables you can also try giving your hamster a small amount of the following carbohydrates whole wheat bread , cooked pasta or rice , sugar free cereals , cooked potatoes , barley , wheat , oats , and even dog biscuits on occasion for a special treat . you might even find that your hamster likes the following sources of protein cooked eggs , cottage cheese , live mealworms , insect larvae , grasshoppers , crickets , and small bits of cooked chicken , beef , or fish . be careful when feeding your hamster the carbohydrates listed above , especially if you want your hamster to lose weight . most store - bought food should have enough carbohydrates to balance your hamsters diet , so only give these as a special treat . most store - bought food will have enough protein that you wont need to provide any extra . but if you want to give your hamster one of the proteins listed above , do so only as a special treat . hamsters , like a lot of wild animals , need to ingest salt on a regular basis in order to retain the water they drink and stay healthy . small salt licks are available that can be placed inside your hamsters cage , sometimes theyll even come in the form of a toy . your hamster will only consume the amount of salt he needs . hamsters are like squirrels they hide their food and save it for later . some foods — like seed mixes — make it easier for your hamster to hoard food because they already come in a small , storable size . the key is to make sure you stick to feeding your hamster only her daily amount of food . it may look like shes hungry because her food bowl is empty , but in reality she may simply have hidden her food elsewhere in her cage . the most common form of exercise for a hamster inside his cage is a hamster wheel . these wheels attach to the side of the cage and are open on one side . the hamster is able to climb inside and run , like hes on a treadmill . in general , exercise wheels that do not have gaps between the rungs are best . wheels with gaps can injure your hamster very easily , as his foot can get caught in the gap . if your hamsters cage is in someones bedroom , you may want to investigate which exercise wheel is the quietest . hamsters will normally use their wheels at night , when youre trying to sleep , so the quieter the better . hamsters love exercise . while theyre awake they should be constantly on the move . in the wild , hamsters can run over a mile every day in search of foodto give her a little variety over the exercise she can receive inside her cage , make her a play area outside of her cage as well . if you have no other pets or the other pets dont harm or stress your hamster you can just let her out of the cage to run around . or , if you prefer something a little more secure , you can build her a small play area enclosure . get creative — build a hamster play area using old boxes , cardboard tubes toilet paper tubes , paper towel tubes , etc . ramps , and more . then hide treats in and around the play area for your hamster to find . use these items to create a maze for your hamster with treats at the end . one great way to give your hamster exercise is to let her climb the stairs . because a dwarf hamster is so small , itll probably need to be stairs that are covered in carpet . the quintessential hamster exercise machine is the hamster exercise ball . its basically a large plastic ball maybe the size of a volleyball that has a door and lots of air vents . you can put your hamster inside , through the door , and then put the ball on the ground . your hamster will run around inside like she would on their exercise wheel , but the ball will move from place to place so she can explore . while it may look funny , dont let your hamster go down the stairs in an exercise ball or allow her anywhere near standing water , like a pool .

flip your hamster over carefully . locate the genitals . check the distance between the two openings . check for nipples . look for testicles . consider size . do not attempt to determine sex before 3 or 4 weeks . do not flip a hamster over it if resists . separate dwarf hamsters around 4 weeks old .

how to determine the sex of a dwarf hamster

you want to pick your hamster up gently and then turn it on its back . hamsters , especially young hamster , may resist this process . go slowly and be gentle . cup your hand and allow your hamster to get into your hand . once your hamster is seated on the palm of your hand , gently flip it over . you can clasp your hand gently around the hamsters body and slowly flip it backwards . without squeezing , hold your hamster securely . hamsters do not like being flipped over and will likely kick and resist . a hamsters genitals are located near its tail . you may have to gently spread apart your hamsters legs to get a clear look . hamsters have two holes near their tail , one for the anus and another for the genitals . you may also have to part the fur in order to get a look at your hamsters genitals . if your hamster is squirming , you may need a friend to assist . genitalia can be differentiated by the distance between the two holes . with male hamsters , there will be a clear distance between the anal and genital opening . with female hamsters , the two openings will be side - by - side . they may be so close they appear to be touching . it is not always possible to view a hamsters genitals . if you have your hamster flipped over , thick fur or excessive kicking can prevent you from noticing the genitals . if this is the case , look for nipples . nipples are usually an indication your hamster is female . run your finger gently along the underside of your hamster . if you have a female , you should feel two rows of nipples on the stomach . you can part the hair to see down to your hamsters skin to confirm the presence of nipples . if you do not find nipples , your hamster may be male . however , young female hamsters may also have less pronounced nipples that are harder to detect . if your hamster will not allow you to flip it over , observe the hamster as its moving around . if your hamster is male , testicles may be overtly visible at times . in an older male hamster , testicles will give the rear end a pronounced and pointed appearance . there will also be noticeable swelling near the penile area by the tail . the rear of a female hamster lacks bulges . its much smoother in appearance . testicles may be more difficult to locate in younger hamsters . as your hamster grows , sex will be easier to determine . male hamsters are both longer and wider than female hamsters . if your hamster is noticeably bigger than other hamsters in the cage , you may have a male . you will not be able to tell sex before this age . if your hamster has a litter , wait until the babies are 3 or 4 weeks old to determine sex . their genitals will not be fully formed before this age , and trying to determine sex before this will only stress them out . the best way to determine a hamsters sex is to examine its genitals . however , not all hamsters will allow you to flip them over . if a hamster is squirming , biting , or resisting excessively , do not attempt to flip it over . find other ways to examine the genitals . try putting your hamster on a glass surface and looking at its genitals through this surface . you could , for example , place your hamster on a glass table or in a glass ball . if you drop your hamster , you can injure it . while sex determination is important , its not worth risking the health of your hamster . if you want to prevent breeding , you should separate hamsters by sex when they reach 4 weeks old . have two separate cages ready for the female and male hamsters . mothers and daughters can safely be paired together .

talk to a vet about caring for the mother and baby hamsters . prepare the cage for the baby hamsters birth . do not disturb the mother hamster or babies for two weeks . provide plenty of food and water for the baby hamsters . clean the cage when the babies are older than two weeks . start to handle babies when they turn two weeks old . separate the baby hamsters by sex at around 21 - 28 days old . surrender your pet at the local humane society . use social media to place your pets . post an ad . evaluate the potential owners . care for your hamsters as you would any other adult hamster . invest in cages for your hamsters . get new toys for the new hamsters .

how to deal with baby hamsters

this will help to establish contact with a vet should an emergency arise with the hamster birth . you can consult about the pregnancy and options for the pups once theyre born . many vets will have experience with dealing with hamster births , but youll want to establish the relationship before the birth so you know what experience your vet has . when you know your hamster is pregnant she will probably be more aggressive , clean her cage so that when the babies come , they have a clean cage . also , when the babies are first born , you cannot touch the nest , so you will not be able to clean it then . make sure to do the following to make the mother calm before and after birthremove the wheel and toys . if the mother hamster uses the wheel around the babies she will injure them . remove the father from the cage .  if you dont , the mother hamster may become pregnant again . give the mother lots of soft bedding and food . she will want to build a nest and be protective . she will also need food to recover and also feed her babies . this includes disturbing the cage to clean it . for a day or so leading up to the birth , you should leave the mother hamster alone . she will be stressed and protective . she will probably bite you if you try to pick her up . you can tell the birth is imminent when the mother gets restless and becomes more active . she may also have vaginal bleeding during this time .  check the cage three times a day to make sure there is enough food . to avoid disturbing the mother or babies , quietly place food away from the nest of the mother . this will mostly be the normal food the hamster already eats mixed grains and fresh vegetables , but eggs are especially good for pregnant hamsters . the mother hamster will be less protective so the cage can be cleaned . youll want to watch the mother hamsters reactions to your cleaning , and if she puts up a fuss at this stage , you may want to wait another few days .  handling babies at this young age will help them get used to being picked up , but be careful as they are fast . this is especially necessary if you intend to re - home them . be gentle with them , as they are still very small at this point . to check the hamsters sexes for syrian hamsters , you simply check to see if they have testicles as syrian hamsters testicles are rather large . for dwarf hamsters , you need to judge the distance between the anus and the sex organ hole . for female dwarf hamsters , the distance is much shorter . keep the following breed - specific tips in mind when separating the hamsters . at five weeks old , syrian hamsters should each be put in their own separate cages . dwarf hamsters can live in gender groups . if there are fights as they grow up , separate them . there might be a fee to surrender your pet , but it can help smooth the process , and you know the hamsters will be in good hands . you should wait until the baby hamsters are at least 4 weeks old before surrendering them . make sure you include photos , and tag any people you think would be interested in adopting one of your hamsters . for best results , make sure you post about it when facebook or twitter have higher traffic . you wouldnt want to post about your hamsters at 4am . by the time most people get up , the post will likely be buried under tons of other posts about babies , pets , and recent news . you do this online or through your local newspaper . for some sites , it will be free , but for others you may have to pay a small fee . to find a good home for your hamsters , be descriptive in your ad and include pictures . people will likely be more interested with pictures . to do this , ask them questions about their ability to care for the pet . do they seem to know about hamster care do they want the hamster as a pet , or do they intend to breed them do they have the necessary supplies cage , food , toys , etc . you need to consider their ability , willingness , and knowledge to ascertain whether they will provide a good home for the baby hamsters .  at five weeks old , your baby hamsters have grown up into adult hamsters . play with ,  feed ,  and love them as you would any adult hamster . hamster food is not too expensive around . 50lb , but remember youll be increasing the amount of food substantially . you may be able to save by buying in bulk . remember that keeping just one hamster can be time - consuming . now imagine multiplying that by 6 or more hamsters . if you have a large family , most of whom are interested in the hamsters , you may find it perfectly feasible to keep all the new hamsters . however , if youre single or very busy , and struggle to take care of just the one hamster , this might not be the best option for you . youll need all the normal accessories , including a hiding place , a water bowl , etc . dont forget bedding materials . youll want your new hamsters to have the same quality of life as their mother . the typical hamster litter is 4 to 6 pups . depending on the type of hamster , this means you could need anywhere from 2 to 6 new cages . syrian hamsters require separate cages they cant be caged together . dwarf hamsters can be caged in gender groups you may need more cages if members of a particular gender group dont get along . as spaying or neutering is only recommended in the case of a health issue with the hamster , separation by gender is the far easier and cost - effective measure for keeping hamsters from reproducing . as a hamster cage can cost anywhere from 15 to hundreds of dollars , this can be a costly enterprise . plan on spending at least 30 to 90 on cages alone for the new pups . hamster bedding can cost around 5cubic foot . the amount you need will vary widely based on how many hamsters are housed together and how large the cage is , but the costs can add up quick . again youll want to include new toys for the new hamsters . this could include tunnels , a running wheel , and chew toys . dont forget to get toys for each new baby hamster . hamsters need stimulation to be happy . you can get a hamster wheel for 5 to 10 , and a hamster chew toy can cost around 1 - 2 each . this means anywhere from 12 to 66 dollars just for the basic hamster toys .

be aware of the possible signs of hamster pregnancy . give the hamster some damp tissue or toilet paper . expect a pregnancy to last for 16 days . feed her a healthy and balanced diet . ensure that there is adequate clean water provided daily . consider removing other hamsters from her cage . keep the temperature constant . provide nesting material . keep the cage clean . use dim lighting . dont handle the pregnant hamster too much . provide an exercise wheel . keep an eye on her general health . look for signs of imminent birth . do not be concerned if the mother eats or abandons an unhealthy baby . provide extra bedding for the pups after birth . leave the mother at peace . check for the health of the pups as they grow . tame the pups . feed weaned pups with good food . separate the pups .

how to care for your pregnant hamster

besides having kept the hamster in with a male hamster , the following signs may be present the hamster may become irritable and fight with other hamsters in the same cage or nearby the hamster becomes more reclusive , shy and retreats easily she may behave in a nervous or jumpy manner the hamster gets defensive she may growl when picked up , moved or has her cage cleaned the hamster becomes more lethargic and slows down considerably the hamster might drink more than usual and hoard her food she may turn this material into a nest for having her babies . if so , this is an indication that she is due soon . food may be taken to the nest . if another hamster is present , the pregnant hamster will behave defensively about the nest and guard it . this is the shortest pregnancy period of any mammal . if you have any concerns about the hamsters well being , or you dont want the pregnancy to continue , see your vet immediately . the hamster should be given extra protein and food filled with extra vitamins vitamins are found readily in fresh produce . good sources of protein include cooked egg , bread soaked in milk , boiled bone - free chicken pieces , etc . plain oatmeal is much liked by many hamsters . , this will reduce stress levels for her and she wont need to behave defensively , which may result her eating the babies . it should be warm but not too hot . normal room temperature is good , provided you dont like it too cold tissue paper , plain unprinted paper , toilet paper are good nesting material items . do not use paper with ink on it , as this may be toxic to her and the babies . this will ensure that harmful bacteria do not build up . this will give her enough light but allows her to feel safe by not being exposed under a glare . you could also cover one side with a blanket . if you do , this might interfere with the birthing when the time comes . she needs to stay fit during pregnancy and not get overweight . having constant access to an exercise wheel will allow for her to stay active , keep her weight in check and contribute to the healthy birth of her litter . if she appears sick , see the vet quickly . when she is ready for giving birth , the pregnant hamster will often curl up in her nesting corner in her house or cage . leave her be , as she needs plenty of peace for the birthing effort ahead . ensure she has access to food and water as usual . expect the hamsters nipples and belly to grow a lot just prior to the birth . this behavior is natural and is done so the litter as a whole stays healthy . never place dad in with the pups . he will attack and eat the babies . the mother will continue to touch up the bedding to ensure the comfort of the babies . the new mother is excitable , nervous and easily disturbed . she will stuff her pups into her cheek pouches if she is worried about their safety . keep curious children and pets away from the house and dont poke your hand in or touch the pups for the first week . however , do not touch them for the first seven days , or when their eyes open if you do , your scent mark may cause the mother to kill and eat the baby . you may feel safer not touching them at all until they are weaned about 3 weeks old . baby hamsters are not tame and need taming before they can make suitable pets . some of them will bite at first and attempt to get away from you you will need to persevere to get them used to human handling . to tame a pup wait until its eyes have opened about 14 days after birth . rub your hands in the sawdust it lives in . this will disguise some of your human scent . sit on the floor or somewhere that the pup wont be harmed if it jumps out of your hand . scoop up a pup with care , placing it on the palm of your hand to hold carefully and using your other hand to cover and prevent it from falling . remember that pups are very delicate hold each pup briefly . expect some to bite or resist you this is a natural reaction , so dont give up or drop the pup . be gentle and stay very calm . most will respond well to calmness . suitable choices include milk - soaked bread , hard boiled egg pieces , finely diced ham mixed with finely diced cucumber and milk - soaked bread . keep all food given in small amounts . remove uneaten food within 24 hours . place water bottles low enough for pups to reach . if using a dish , keep it shallow to avoid drowning . remove the male pups after four weeks . at this time they are matured enough to start mating and you dont want this happening . they can now be rehoused or given to a trusted new owner . separate all the pups and mom after 6 weeks . at this stage , all of the babies definitely need their own homes . this means separating all siblings from each other and the pups from their mom . be aware that is is possible for hamsters to become pregnant from around 8 weeks . this is not healthy as the hamster will be too young to have a safe pregnancy as such , it is really important to separate males and females at around the 3 to 4 week stage . most breeders recommend 4 weeks as the malefemale separation time .

know when your hamster is pregnant . understand the hamster life cycle . clean the cage . change your hamsters diet . remove the hamster wheel and other toys from the cage . remove the father from the cage , if you have not already done so . provide soft building material for your pregnant hamster . arrange homes for the babies . know what to expect during birth . do not disturb the nest . do not handle the babies for at least two weeks . do not clean the cage for the first two weeks . provide plenty of food and water for the little hamsters . take care of the babies if the mother hamster has died . find a surrogate mother for orphaned babies that are 12 days or younger . clean the cage when the babies are older than two weeks . start to handle babies when they turn two weeks old . wean the babies when they are four weeks old . separate the males from the females . care for your hamsters as you would any other adult hamster .

how to care for hamster babies

though your female hamster will gain weight once she is pregnant , weight gain alone does not indicate pregnancy . other indications of pregnancy include nest - building , possible hoarding of food , and signs of aggression as her gestation period progresses . hamsters reach sexual maturity quickly in life , with some hamsters capable of breeding as early as four weeks old . however , it is generally recommended that breeders refrain from pairing hamsters for mating until five to six months of age . the gestation period for hamsters varies widely by breed . syrian hamsters typically gestate for 16 days , while many dwarf breeds gestate for 18 - 21 days . roborovski hamsters may gestate for up to 30 days . females capable of reproduction will want to mate every four days . a couple days before your hamster is going to give birth , her stomach will swell to a very large size . however , this may also be an indication of a more serious condition . swollen abdomens may indicate the presence of a tumor , impending heart failure , liver cysts , or in rare cases cushings disease . if your hamsters belly is swollen , its best to have her examined by a veterinarian to determine whether its pregnancy weight or something more serious . its important that your hamster delivers her babies into a clean environment . in order to ensure that this happens , clean your hamster cage two weeks after your hamster gets pregnant or when you determine that your hamster is pregnant , and add additional fresh bedding . know that , since the mother hamster will not like being disturbed as it gets closer to her delivery date , you may not be able to clean the cage later in her gestation period . cleaning the cage within 2 - 3 days of her due date can unsettle a female hamster sufficiently that she rejects the babies when they are born . cleaning the cage as soon as possible after determining that she is pregnant may be your best option . after cleaning the cage during the gestation period , do not clean the cage again until 14 days after the birth . pregnant hamsters need a diet high in protein and fat . aim for a hamster food that contains 18 to 20 percent protein and seven to nine percent fat . you may also want to provide your mother hamster with milky food to provide additional calcium and promote lactation . offer your pregnant hamster nutritious treats like carrots , nuts , hard boiled eggs , cheese and greens . you should also put extra food in her cage , as she will begin stockpiling the food for her babies and will be eating more than normal herself . however take care with foods that will go bad , since if she stock piles them the food may go mouldy in her store . it is best to give plenty of dry food , and offer perishable items as treats , in order to increase the chances of her eating it all , rather than storing it . this is important in order to prevent the accidental injury or death of baby hamsters once they are born . female hamsters may act aggressively toward males when they do not desire a mate . some hamster enthusiasts claim that dwarf hamster fathers are actually very helpful in raising the litter . consult with a vet or pet store hamster specialist if you are considering leaving your hamster dad in the cage . one of your hamsters first reactions when she gets pregnant will be to build a soft nest to give birth to her babies in . you can help this process along by providing pieces of toilet paper for your hamster to shred up and use in her nest . clean facial tissue or toilet paper works best for nest building . it is soft to the touch and very absorbent , and your hamster will be able to tear and arrange it easily . avoid any long or heavy materials that the baby hamsters may become tangled or smothered in . you only need to do this if you arent planning on keeping the babies after they are born . if you are having a hard time finding friends who want to take a baby or two , try posting an ad on craigslist . you can also check with teachers at local schools , as hamsters make excellent classroom pets . never breed hamsters unless you want baby hamsters and ready to take care of them . find them a home or provide for them in your own home . the birthing process usually happens over the course of one to two hours , in about 15 - 30 minute intervals between pup births . give her space and do not disturb her during or after the birth . for approximately two days or so leading up to the birth , you should leave the mother hamster alone . she will be stressed and may become aggressive in order to protect the nest from perceived threats or intrusions , so its best to leave her alone . she can also become highly agitated after she gives birth - - she should be disturbed as little as possible or else she might abandon her babies , or even , in some cases , kill them . you want to avoid disturbing the nest and leaving your scent on the infant hamsters , or their mother might abandon or kill them . the mother hamster may also become very aggressive if you try to handle her offspring and may attack your hand . if you do need to move a baby for some reason , use a spoon . this will ensure that you do not get your scent on the baby . you will most likely not have to do this - - even if you see that a baby has strayed from the nest , mama hamster will soon go to retrieve it . while it may seem odd not to clean your hamster cage , it really is in the babies best interest that you dont interfere in the nesting space . forgo cleaning the cage for two weeks after the babies are born . if you notice that there is a really wet spot in the cage , you can spot clean it but make absolutely sure that your spot cleaning wont disturb the nest . keep the room temperature around 70 degrees fahrenheit , or 21 . 1 degrees celsius . you should check the cage at least twice a day to make sure that there is enough food and water to support your hamsters . when the babies are a week old , you can begin to scatter food along the sides and floor of the cage . the mother hamster will go out and collect the food for her babes , but the little ones will also begin to explore and get food on their own . be sure that you are feeding the mother and baby hamsters a diet high in protein and fat content . avoid using a water bowl , as young hamsters may drown if they fall into the bowl . use a shallow dish instead . you will want to make sure that the sipper bottle is low enough that the young hamsters can reach the lip of it and get a drink , which will typically happen after the first 10 - 20 days . sometimes , baby hamsters are orphaned due to complications during the birth . if the hamsters are 12 to 14 days old , they will have a much easier time surviving . place a heating pad on the lowest setting under the cage to make up for the lack of body heat in their mothers absence . shred up toilet paper and create a nest for the babies yourself . make sure the babies have adequate food to keep their nutrient levels up . the water bottle should also be lowered to their height . when hamsters are born , they emerge hairless and blind . do not be alarmed by this , as this is how all hamsters look at birth . over the course of the first week , hamster babies will gain weight , begin growing fur , and their ear canals will develop . they will also begin to crawl and forage by the middle of the second week . use lactol , an animal milk replacement , to nurse the hamster pups with a dropper . lactol is available in most pet stores . if you cannot find lactol , try using powdered baby formula . squeeze out a small drop and touch it to a baby hamsters mouth . do not squeeze the dropper rather , let the infant hamster suckle and lick the milk out . remember that infant hamsters cannot regulate their own body temperature . keep the room at 70 degrees fahrenheit , or 21 . 1 degrees celsius , or use a heating pad on a low setting if necessary . wipe all of the residue from the nestbirthing process off the hamsters , so that the new mother will not recognize them as belonging to another litter due to the scent . for this reason , you may want to wear rubber gloves during this process . gently wrap the baby hamsters in a clean terry cloth towel and rub the towel gently to stimulate circulation and thus warmth . find a surrogate mother who has babies that are a couple days older or younger than your babies . place nesting material taken from the surrogate moms nest and wrap it around your babies . the goal is to get the smelling exactly like the surrogate moms babies . distract the new mother with a treat and then place the babies in the nest with the other hamsters . keep the mom away for as long as possible to give the babies a chance to wriggle into the nest and get covered in the smell . keep a close eye on the surrogate mother . if she senses that there is something wrong or different about the babies , she may kill them . it may be difficult to find a lactating female hamster in your time of need . be prepared for the possibility that you may have to raise the young hamsters by hand . you can feed the baby hamsters with lactose , which helps the baby grow . at this point , the mother hamster will be a bit less protective , allowing you to go in and clean up after the last two weeks . clean the cage as you normally would , but place a few pieces of toilet paper in the cage after you are done , as the mother hamster may want to build another nest . handling babies at this young age will help them get used to human touch . the mother hamster will also be fine with them smelling like you at this stage in the babies development . keep in mind that baby hamsters can move very quickly , so take precautions when handling them . baby hamsters will continue feeding from their mom until they are about 26 days old . after that , the babies should be weaned from their mom . you will need to check the genders of your baby hamsters and split the boy and girl hamsters up into their own separate cages . they should be put into cages separate from their mother , who will have lost interest in nursing them by this time . around 40 days after birth , the litter of hamsters will be capable of mating and reproducing . it is important to separate them before this happens . syrian hamsters are solitary animals and should each be put in their own separate cages after around six to seven weeks . this breed of hamster tends to be very territorial and will become aggressive if it feels that its space is being threatened . dwarf hamsters can live in same - sex pairings and colonies fairly peacefully . dwarf hamsters will often play together , beginning around the time their eyes open . this is normal , but after approximately 12 weeks you might begin to notice some actual fights occurring . if you see this , you should split the pair into separate cages . if it is occurring in a colony , you should put the hamster that is being bullied into his or her own separate cage . beware that if you dont separate them , they may start to breed with each other , leaving you overrun with lots of inbred pups within a few weeks . at five weeks old , your baby hamsters have grown up into adult hamsters . play with , feed , and love them as you would any adult hamster .

make the mother feel secure . add tissue or toilet paper . minimize interaction for two weeks .

how to handle unexpected baby hamsters 1

immediately following birth , mother hamsters need to feel secure . if she is startled by a loud noise or sudden light , she may become stressed and go into survival mode . for a mother hamster , this means cannibalizing her young . accordingly , do everything you can to ensure calm and quiet atmosphere in the room where they live . keep other pets out of the room . put the hamster enclosure against a wall and out of direct sunlight . cover part of the enclosure with a blanket or cloth . the darkness this blanket provides will reduce stress . throw some unscented tissue paper or toilet paper into the enclosure . be sure not to surprise the mother hamster when doing so . she will shred up the paper and use it to increase the comfort and coziness of her nest . this is more important than you may realize . if the mother doesnt feel like the environment is sufficient to raise pups , shell eat them . do not provide the artificial fluff sold for this purpose . despite the marketing , these products can potentially injure your hamsters . if a mother hamster feels threatened by an unfamiliar scent , she will readily make a snack of her offspring . while it may seem as though there are a lot of reasons a mother hamster might go cannibalistic , they are all informed by the same sentiment . from a survival perspective , a protein rich diet of baby hamster flesh may give her the energy to escape whichever risk she has perceived . accordingly , do not mess with her , her babies , or her cage for two weeks following the birth . in particular , do not clean the cage . if you notice she is pregnant just before she gives birth , give the cage a good cleaning in preparation . though it can be challenging , resist the temptation to handle the baby hamsters for two weeks . touching all but guarantees that theyll be eaten by their mother .

feed the mother well . help feed the babies after a week . introduce yourself when theyre two weeks old . separate the babies when theyre 5 to 6 weeks old .

how to handle unexpected baby hamsters 2

good nutrition is especially important for the mother following birth . you can probably guess why . great protein options include finely chopped cooked eggs , plain boiled chicken , and tofu . also feed her extra well chopped fruits and veggies , especially carrots and leafy greens . wait to provide these foods until a few days after birth , unless she is low on food . take care not to spook her when adding food to her enclosure , and try to slowly place the food away from her and her babies . if you notice she is pregnant before she gives birth , stock the enclosure with a bunch of food that wont go bad too quickly . this will include lots of hamster food as well as sunflower seeds . while you usually want to limit sunflower seed consumption , their fattiness is actually ideal for a mother hamster . also fill up the water bottle all the way so you can avoid doing so for as long as possible once the babies arrive . do practically nothing for a week . after 7 or 8 days , the pups will first begin to move around their enclosure . at this point , theyll also be able to nibble on solid food . sprinkle well - chopped pieces of carrots , tofu , and leafy greens into their enclosure . they will enjoy discovering this food , and will also begin to eat from their mothers dish . at about 3 weeks of age , the babies will be weaned by their mother . this does not mean they should be taken from the enclosure , though they will no longer be nursing . you can begin to handle baby hamsters when they open their eyes , at around 13 to 14 days old . once all of the babies eyes are open , do a full cleaning of the cage as well . dont separate them permanently from their mother quite yet , as they still have plenty to learn . this is the age that the hamsters will reach sexual maturity . you may keep young dwarf hamsters of the same sex together . all syrian hamsters must be kept separately from one another . when theyre 6 to 8 weeks old , syrian hamsters will begin to become territorial . they will soon be able to seriously injure one another , and will do so as soon as they are able .

try to line up human owners early . put them up for adoption . do not drop your baby hamsters off at a pet store .

how to handle unexpected baby hamsters 3

your litter may contain more than a dozen juvenile hamsters in search of a new home . it will likely prove challenging to find humans capable of housing each one , so start searching as soon as you find out about the babies . ask your friends and family if theyre interested , and post the cutest photos you can get on every single social media platform you use . websites such as adoptapet . com and craigslist . org are good spots to put a post about free baby hamsters . petfinder . com also has a classified section that is quite popular . do not try to profit from your hamsters – they are readily available . at the same time , try to keep reptile owners from getting their hands on your hamsters . you can guess what theyll do with them . accordingly , charge a small adoption fee , such as 5 . this is much cheaper than buying a hamster from a store , but will keep those who favor scaled creatures giving their own pets a free living lunch . they dont need them , and they dont want them . they likely even have policies against accepting hamsters from unknown sources . this means that they wont care for any hamsters that show up outside their door , thought they may feed them to the scaled animals theyre selling . try to avoid leaving hamsters at shelters as well . if you do , include a donation , as many shelters are not well - enough funded to care for hamsters .

have a valid reason for breeding syrian hamsters . consider how you will enact your plan . avoid breeding closely related hamsters . buy an unrelated male and female hamster . make sure that the hamsters are about the same age . provide the hamsters with comfortable environments . move the cages together after a week . introduce the hamsters when they come of age . determine whether the female is in heat . do not place the hamsters together when the female is not in heat . place the hamsters in the same cage when the female is in heat . supervise the mating process . separate them when theyre finished . make a record of the date . observe the female for a week . figure out when she will give birth . watch for physical changes in the female . provide her with nesting and bedding materials . prepare the cage for the birth and babies . do not handle the hamster close to her due date . dont disturb the new mother or her babies . continue to care for her after the delivery . begin feeding the babies about one week after birth . check for healthy development in the babies . clean the cage at two weeks . adjust the cage for the babies . check the babies two - week development . determine the babies genders at around 3 . 5 to 4 weeks . separate the males and females once you determine the genders . double check the babies genders . get the babies used to human handling . line up customers early . sell the hamsters . separate females after 2 - 3 months of age .

how to breed syrian hamsters

you should have a clear plan in place about what youre going to do with all these babies , and be prepared with enough space , money and resources to house them all yourself in case your plans fall through . some options include keeping them as pets selling them as pets though its not likely to bring in much income giving them away to good homes you might think ill just give them away to good homes , but thats likely going to be harder than it sounds . think hard about your market before breeding , or youll have more hamsters than you have customers . how will you advertise your hamsters good places to start include online , in the newspaper , and at the pet store . if you already own some hamsters from the same family , you dont want to breed them together . when you allow brothers to mate with sisters , or fathersdaughters or motherssons , you create an inbred line of hamsters . inbred lines can suffer from genetic flaws . for healthy hamsters , avoid inbreeding at all costs . if your current hamsters are related or if you dont yet have any , talk to several hamster breeders about where they get their stock . you only need one male and one female to get started . however , buy them from different suppliers to ensure the two breeding animals are not closely related . it is almost always a poor idea to buy breeding hamsters from chain pet stores . pet stores treat their hamsters quite poorly and many get their hamsters from dirty , cramped , locations . their baby hamsters , if chosen from a commercial pet store , is likely to suffer from mental and physical and fatal deformities , will almost always have poor temperament , and have a very ugly coloring . you might also contact a hamster breeder directly . hamsters can start breeding as early as two months of age . however , its best to let them grow to 4 - 6 months before breeding them . this improves the chances of a healthy litter . this means cages of a good size that are at the very least 450 sq . inches or larger . since many commercial cages are too small , you may have to do a small diy . you only want them to breed when you plan for it , so buy each its own hamster cage . keep them separate unless you are actively trying to breed them . keep the cages in the same room , but not close together . in each one , place a food bowl with high - quality food . the best hamster food by far is the harryhazel hamster mix . an inverted water bottle exercise toys anything else you think will make them feel more at home this will allow your male and female to see and smell each other . let them introduce themselves , but dont put them together yet . another way to let them get to know each other is to put them into separate exercise balls . while youre watching , let them roll around in their pods , smelling each other and interacting safely . once your hamsters are at least four months old , you can introduce them to each other in a third , neutral cage . if the female attacks the male , she is not ready to mate . get him out of the cage as soon as possible to avoid injury . you cant mate your hamsters if the female isnt going to be receptive to the male . she could go into heat every 4 - 5 days , though , by this age . gently stroke the female on the bottom . if her tail goes erect , shes in heat . that means shes ready to mate with the male . hamsters are territorial animals . if they dont want to mate , theyll likely ending up fighting instead . this could lead to injury , or even death . check the female every day until shes in heat before placing them together . either gently place her in the males cage or put both hamsters in a neutral third cage . dont put the male in the females cage , though , as she will likely fight him to protect her territory . if all goes well , the females tail should go erect , and the male should mount her more than once . this may last for around 30 minutes , and the male will likely clean himself between attempts . be watchful for fights , even if the female seems receptive . youll be able to tell when theyre done because they will seem suddenly disinterested in each other . when this happens , move the female back into her cage . an important part of breeding hamsters is keeping good records , so you know what to expect . either mark mating dates on a calendar or write them down in a notebook . hamsters hibernate when the temperature dips below 50°f 10°c . they will not breed at that temperature . sometimes , a hamsters behavior changes noticeably when she gets pregnant . note if shes being strangely quiet , cleaning herself more , or eating and drinking more than usual . another common sign is an instinct to gather up large nests . if you see these telltale behavior changes , she is likely pregnant . syrian hamsters usually grow and carry their babies for 15 - 18 days before giving birth . look up the date on which you last mated your hamsters and add 15 days to it . that is the earliest likely due date for your new litter . you wont be able to tell shes pregnant for sure until just a few days before she gives birth . by ten days after the mating , you should be able to see her belly swelling clearly , just like with human pregnancies . a pregnant female will have a natural instinct to build herself a big nest . give her extra bedding materials like paper towels or bathroom tissues so she can shred them up for her nest . you might also offer a safe non toxic , no ink , not sharp bedding material like pennine curl up hamster bedding . make sure youve cleaned the cage five days or so before the due date , and that there is extra food and bedding in the cage . prepare ahead of time so you dont disturb the mother and babies for the first week after birth . you want to keep her as calm and relaxed as possible . keep her environment quiet and soothing — dim or remove bright lights . keep curious pets like dogs and cats away from her as she gets ready to deliver her babies . hamsters usually give birth without problems if you wait until theyre old enough to mate 4 months . the birth will likely happen at night when everything is quiet . litters can be as small as 4 or as large as 16 babies . female hamsters sometimes eat their own babies if they get stressed out . its very important to keep the environment as calm as possible . though you might be eager to play with the babies , give the mother space and peace for their safety . at first , the babies will look pink and hairless . they are born with their eyes closed . while you dont want to disturb her , you do still need to make sure she has everything she needs in her cage . for the first week and a half to two weeks or so , discretely refill the mothers food bowl and water bottle . you dont need to provide the babies with anything at this point . theyll get everything they need from nursing . scatter small portions of broccoli , grated carrot , wheat germ , or tofu in their nest for them to eat . the mother will also store food in her cheek pouches , and bring it back to the nest to feed her babies . a week after birth , theyll start to grow fur . you should just be able to tell what colors they are . the pups will also start making little noises at this age . one or two adventurous babies may leave the nest , but dont worry if the mother picks them up in her mouth and puts them back . enough time should have passed by now to let the mother settle into her new role , so you can give the cage a much - needed cleaning . its also your first opportunity to handle the babies , which is an important step in socializing them to humans . by handling them at two weeks , you make them more comfortable with human interactions . get your hands dirty with the scent of the used litter before touching the babies . this prevents the mother from rejecting or attacking them later . move the hamsters into another cage one by one . when cleaning the cage , avoid completely destroying the nest . hamsters will usually have a toilet area in the cage . concentrate your cleaning there , and leave the nest more or less intact . of course , if the nest is soaked or filthy , go ahead and replace it with fresh materials . while cleaning the cage , make a few changes to transition them into adulthood . add a second food bowl to the cage . the mothers water bottle will be too high for the babies , so place a second one at a lower position . you could also place a raised platform under the mothers bottle so the babies can reach it . dont lower the mothers water bottle to the babies height because then she wont be able to reach it . at this age , the babies should have all their fur and be running about independently . though they were born with closed eyes and ears , they should be starting to open up now . this can be a tricky process . look at the distance between each hamsters anus and genital opening . the distance on a male will be longer than the distance on a female . by four weeks , the males testicles should also be noticeable , as should the nipples on the females bellies . hamsters have a lot of loose skin , and you can hold them by the scruff of their necks or by the loose skin down their backs . dont drop them , though , and be ready to return them to the cage if you start to lose your grip . not all hamsters mature at the same rate , so you have to make sure you gendered them correctly . for a few days after you separate them into male and female cages , keep checking gender every day . you might notice testicles one day that you didnt see before in a cage of baby females . if so , switch the baby to the correct cage . if you are unsure about the sex of your babies , take them to your vet or an experienced hamster breeder for help . you want to avoid accidental breeding of siblings . place your hand in the cage so they can smell it , and let them climb up into your palm if they want to . you can also scoop them up with a small cup and start gently petting them on the back . the babies will be ready for their new homes after 35 days of age . dont wait too long to start looking for people to take your hamsters , because 35 days goes by fast . keep your customers updated as the hamsters approach 35 days in age , so they can prepare their own homes . make sure you send them off to reliable homes with families that will love them . provide the new owners with information on hamsters and hamster care . you want the babies to have the best new start you can provide . if you keep any of the babies , know that the females are highly territorial . while you can house adult males together as long as theres enough food and space , adult females are terrible roommates . when they reach 2 - 3 months of age , separate all females into their own cages .

assess the parents risk factors . hamsters reach sexual maturity as young as 6 weeks old , though it is not advisable to let them mate at this age . look for signs of birth . prepare the cage is ready for birth . be sure a nest has been built .

how to care for newborn hamsters 1

a female should be at least 8 - 10 weeks old before mating , and males 10 - 12 weeks old . once a hamster reaches 12 months of age , it should no longer be bred , as health risks skyrocket . the average hamster lifespan is 18 - 24 months . hamster pregnancies are very short , lasting just 15 - 18 days . when you know your female is expecting , look for the following signs that shes preparing to give birth restlessness nest - building behavior conscientious grooming eating more than usual when you see the signs that the mother is close to giving birth , make sure the babies have an adequate cage to be born into . the cage should be cleaned and prepared before birth , but not too close to the mothers due date . it is important not to disturb the mother in the last few days of pregnancy , as it raises the odds of her cannibalizing the babies . a few days before her due date , put her in a clean cage by herself and leave her undisturbed . if you dont know exactly how far along she is , isolate her when you notice her belly swelling . remove toys from the cage . the mum might hurt or kill the babies if toys get in the way . dont use cotton wool or other materials that could form strands on the cage floor , as they could tangle around the babies . also avoid straw , as the sharp ends could hurt them . safer alternatives include aspen , paper flakes , carefresh , or wood fiber pulp . provide the mother with nesting material - something warm she mother can burrow into . recommended materials include un - dyed tissue paper , toilet paper , or kitchen paper . from 2 days before the due - date to 10 days after birth , do not change anything in the cage or handle the mother . when the mother is almost ready to give birth , she will build a breeding nest . thus , there is no need for you to add any extra housing or move the babies to a separate location . in fact , disturbing the nest after birth could be disastrous . hamsters are known for cannibalism , and stressing the mother in any way could endanger the babies . this risk is highest the first week after giving birth , and in first - time mothers .

prepare the mother for birth . scatter food for the mother to bring the babies . check the cage frequently . avoid touching the babies until theyve grown fur . encourage naturally weaning by providing an adequate supply of food . separate baby hamsters from their mother after 21 to 28 days . determine the sex of the babies . make sure theres enough food and water . keep the cage dry . refrain from cleaning the cage early on .

how to care for a mother hamster and her babies

if you know the mother is pregnant ahead of time , you can work on preparing her for birth . you can tell a hamster is pregnant if she has gained weight and is engaging in nesting behaviors , such as piling wood shavings and other material in one corner of the cage . clean her cage and replace all wood shavings or other substrate with clean supplies . you should also remove wheels and toys to prevent injury to the babies . place toilet paper somewhere in the cage so the mother can build a nest . give the mother slightly extra food than usual . you do not need to worry about feeding newborn hamster babies yourself . the mother hamster will nurse her babies for the first two to three weeks and then she will feed them by bringing them scattered food from around the cage . scatter pellets and other hamster food throughout the cage and allow the mother to forage for food to feed the babies . as the babies age , you will see they begin to explore the cage and hunt for food themselves . once the babies are born , its vital to make sure there is enough food and water to go around . the water dish or bottle should be full at all times and there should always be plentiful food scattered on the floor for the mother to bring the babies . check the cage frequently throughout the day to make sure no supplies have run out . be quiet when checking the cage . while its important to keep the hamsters well fed , you want to make sure you dont disturb the mother . peace and quiet is important for the first few weeks . a mother may be protective of her babies and dislike having your smell on them . when the babies are very young and have not grown much fur , refrain from touching them as much as possible . usually , its safe to touch the babies after 10 to 14 days . at this point , they have plenty of fur , their eyes are open , and theyre eating solid food . weaning usually begins at two to three weeks . the babies will eventually transition naturally to solid food as their mother discourages them from nursing . providing enough food during this time can help the process run smoothly . provide pellets for the hamsters , adding bowls for each baby . make sure to check the cage frequently during this time to make sure the babies have enough food . after three to four weeks , hamsters are generally old enough to be separated from their mother . if babies are left with their mothers for too long , the mother will start becoming aggressive . you should separate the male and female hamsters to prevent inbreeding . in general , hamsters of the same gender should be able to share a cage . however , if fighting occurs frequently , you may have to separate the hamsters . you need to make sure you do not pair hamsters of the same sex together . hamsters reach sexual maturity quickly and you do not want siblings breeding with one another . carefully pick up the babies and look just under their tails . hamsters have two distinct openings in this area . males have openings that are slightly apart . females have openings with no space in between . it is vital to keep the food and water supply plentiful , especially just after the mother gives birth . if the mother feels resources are scarce , she may kill her babies to spare them from starvation . be proactive about filling food and water bowls in the cage . a wet cage can be deadly for baby hamsters . if a water bottle leaks or a water bowl spills , clean up the water quickly . add fresh bedding to the cage promptly and remove any wet or soiled bedding . unless you need to clean up a water spill , leave the cage alone when the babies are first born . you should not clean the cage until about two weeks have passed or when the babies have opened their eyes .

interfere very little for the first week . understand how the babies will develop . hamster babies are born incredibly vulnerable — furless , deaf , blind , and with their limbs are only partially developed . let the mother care for her babies . make sure the mother is well - fed . in the first couple weeks , when the babies get all their nutrition from the mother , its important that the mother is well - fed and healthy . provide food and water for the babies . separate the hamsters by sex at the appropriate age . syrian hamsters must be segregated by sex at 3 - 4 weeks , at which age they will begin to fight .

how to care for newborn hamsters 2

after the babies are born , continue to refill water bottles and food dishes for a week , but dont disturb the mother and her babies . keep them as isolated from traffic and noise as possible — keep curious children , loud tv or radio sounds , and nosy dogs or cats out of the room . do not handle babies at all for 14 days after birth . do not clean the cage for those 2 weeks , either keep the room temperature around 70 f . however , they grow and develop very quickly . as they grow , keep these approximate landmarks in mind to make sure theyre developing at a healthy , normal rate 5 - 15 days eyes and ears should open 7 days they start to crawl around 7 - 10 days they take an interest in solid food 10 days hair starts to grow 10 - 20 days they start to be able to drink from a sipper bottle the newborns best chance of survival is if they have a mother with strong nurturing instincts . you job is to stand back and let her do all the work . if you upset or disturb her , shes more likely to turn on her young , so stay out of her way . with newborn hamsters in the care of a mother , less is definitely more . you can choose fresh foods like timothy grass , carrots , and other food , but you can still feed her hamster food . pelleted food suitable for rats or mice is preferable to hamster muesli . this is because the hamster can selectively eat the tastier bits of the muesli , leaving behind the less tasty but more nutritious bits . at around 7 - 10 days , the babies will be ready to get food and drink from a source other than the mother . dont put a water bowl in the cage , as they may drown in it . instead , place a sipper bottle with the nozzle about 1–2 centimeter 0 . 4–0 . 8 in above the bedding . this is in addition to the mothers normally placed bottle — the babies bottle will be too low for the mother to reach . the babies will begin snacking on their mothers food when theyre ready . once they start to eat solid food , make sure theres plenty to go around . you can leave dwarf hamsters together safely , but you should separate them by sex if you dont want them to mate . this should be done within 48 hours of weaning , which can be done around 21 - 28 days after birth . puberty starts around 2 - 18 days after weaning . hamsters are ready to reproduce at this time .

understand the risks . be very careful using a surrogate mother . though natural hamster milk is the best source of nutrition for developing babies , hamsters are not very well - suited to surrogacy . replace the mothers milk as best as possible . use an eyedropper to feed them . suck some lactol up in the eyedropper , then squeeze it so a drip hovers on the end of the pipette . regulate the temperature for them . hamsters are born furless , so until theyre about 10 days old , they cannot regulate their own body temperature .

how to care for newborn hamsters 3

successfully raising orphaned hamsters is almost unheard of . newborn hamsters are born very poorly developed , and need a precise balance of nutrition . the mothers milk is the best source for their needs , and manmade replacements wont help them grow healthy organs and bones the same way . dont be disheartened if the orphans die . their odds were never good , but at least you gave it a go . even if you have a lactating female without babies of her own , theres a high likelihood that she would cannibalize any strange babies you put in with her . a non - lacting female wont have the milk the babies need . the closest you can get to hamster milk is lactol , which is a milk replacement designed for use with dogs . hamster pups need strict hourly feeding 24 hours a day until they start to eat solids . luckily , they usually begin showing interest in solids early , at around 7 - 10 days . once they start eating solids , you can reduce their milk feeding to once every three hours . hold the drop against the babys mouth . hopefully , it will try to suckle , or at least lick the milk from the tip . avoid squirting milk into the hamster pups mouth . theyre so tiny that even a small amount of fluid could flood down into the hamsters lungs and either drown them or cause pneumonia . this is one of the main reasons orphans are so difficult to rear . keep them at a constant temperature of at least 70 f by either using a heat pad or keeping the room at that temperature . the babies will be comfortable in temperatures up to 80f . above this , the youngsters may start to develop heat stress . when the pups are in the nest , partially cover them with bedding to help keep them warm .

spend time with your hamster every day . observe your hamsters eating habits . observe your hamsters activity . check for diarrhea .

how to know if your hamster is dying 1

it is important to spend time with your hamster every day so that you know her normal behavior . a change in your hamsters behavior is an important indicator that she is sick . if you dont spend time with your hamster regularly , you might not recognize important changes in your hamsters behavior . get into a routine , so that you spend the same part of the day with your hamster . this will help you get accustomed to how the hamster is acting during the same period of time every day . a healthy hamster will eat regularly throughout the day . although hamsters will sleep during the day , they will wake up frequently to eat . be careful to note if your hamster is eating and how much he is eating . if your hamster is eating less , but still eating , keep very close watch over his eating over the next day or two . if your hamster stops eating altogether , you should take your hamster to the veterinarian right away . hamsters are normally very active , especially during the night . your hamster will likely sleep during much of the day , so do not worry if your hamster sleeps a lot when the sun is out . if your hamster appears lethargic all the time and does not want to play , then she might be sick . if your hamster begins to act much less active and playful than in the past , pay close attention over the next couple of days . if the hamsters activity levels do not return to normal , take your hamster to the veterinarian . hamsters will naturally hibernate when the temperature stays cold for a long time . if you think your hamster is hibernating , indicated by what appears to be a very deep sleep and extremely shallow breath , warm up the area and make sure there is food and water on hand for when the hamster awakens . a common illness in hamsters is called wet tail and is accompanied by diarrhea . it can be evidence of a very serious infection . check the base of your hamsters tail for a wet , mucus - like substance . if your hamster has diarrhea , accompanied by changes to eating and activity levels , it may be wet tail . wet tail can be fatal within 48 hours . therefore , you need to take action immediately and see the veterinarian . if the veterinarian finds a case of wet tail , he might prescribe antibiotics , anti - diarrheal , or give fluids .

look at the hamsters skin . look at the hamsters fur . look at the hamsters face , mouth and eyes .

how to know if your hamster is dying 2

changes to your hamsters skin can be indicative of health problems . in particular , look for signs of infection , like redness , swelling , and abscesses . red , flakey skin can be a sign of an infection or of other skin diseases . check for dehydration by lifting the loose skin the scruff over the hamsters shoulders . let go and it should snap straight back into place — this is normal . if the hamster is dehydrated the skin tents or stays in a peak . this is a serious sign and you should get the hamster checked by a vet . your hamster may scratch more when she has a skin problem . this can help tip you off to the fact that one exists . however , it can also cause infection if the hamster is picking at her skin . , normally , a hamsters fur should be be full and shiny . as hamsters age , their fur will thin . this is normal . however , if your hamster starts to lose fur all at once , he might be sick . wet , matted fur around the hamsters belly and tail can be signs of an infection . in particular , look for a runny nose , red or inflamed eyes , and puffy cheeks . hamsters often get a runny nose when sick , and are particularly vulnerable to catching colds . these are often not the most deadly of sicknesses , but if they persist , see a veterinarian . your hamster has pouches in his cheeks to carry food around . if you notice that these pouches look full for a long time , it may be that they are infected .

pick out male and female dwarf hamsters . set up cages for your hamsters . supply hamsters with food and water . wait until the female hamster is in heat . place the hamsters together in one cage . watch signs of the female getting ready to deliver . remove the male before the birth . wait 18 to 30 days for the birth . expect around 5 or 6 babies . avoid touching the nest after the birth . separate the male babies after 4 weeks . watch the babies eat solid food .

how to breed dwarf hamsters

if you dont already have a sexually mature male and female hamster , you should find one at the pet store . check the genitalia to ensure that you are getting a male and a female . it is pretty tricky to tell the difference . for males , the testicles and anus are far apart . on females , the genitalia and anus are so close together they look like they are in the same place . you can find these points on the bottom of the hamster , just below the tail and between the hind legs . make sure the males are at least 30 days old , and that females are at least three or four months old . it is better for the male to be older than 30 days , preferably around the same age as the female . make sure they are healthy before purchasing so that you dont have to worry about treating illnesses . you need one cubic foot of space for a single dwarf hamster , and an extra half cubic foot per extra hamster in a cage . size is very important for any hamster cage , but especially for breeding . the base should be solid , like a plank of wood or solid plastic . you need to have easy access to all parts of the cage . consider getting a cage with tubes built in to give your hamsters a better quality of life . just be prepared to break them down and scrub them out now and then . you do at least need a running wheel . get bedding that is made from cellulose fiber or aspen wood shavings . avoid cedar or pine shavings because the wood bears natural chemicals harmful for your hamsters lungs . find a cage with extremely small openings or solid walls to keep babies from falling out of the cage . place the mothers cage in a quiet area after you have bred her . give the female extra bedding for nest building material . attach a water bottle where the hamsters can easily reach . you can buy water bottles that hang on the side of a cage upside down . you can feed them with commercial hamster food available at the pet store . if you want to feed your dwarf hamsters fresh food , focus on seeds , whole grains , fresh green vegetables , and boiled eggs . after the mother gives birth , supply her with a slice of bread soaked in cows skim milk daily . continue offering this milk bread until the pups reach four weeks . to minimize disturbing the mother after the pups are born , stock the feeder with food . you will be offering the milk - soaked bread , but if you stock the feeder well , you might not have to disturb the hamsters to refill it very much . sexually mature female hamsters are at least three or four months old . they go into heat called estrus every four days . hamsters are nocturnal , so a females time of heat will occur at night and last for 12 hours . you will know your hamster has mated because her vagina will have a white substance in it . this is the copulatory plug and is proof that the male released sperm . when you see the female dwarf hamster in her estrus cycle , or in heat , you can place the male in the cage with her . actually , since dwarf hamsters can live quite happily in the same cage , you might keep mating pairs together until the female gives birth . if you place the mating pair together without supervision , the female will become pregnant quickly . evidence of a females first mating is blood near her genitalia , under the tail . she will build a nest late in her pregnancy by gathering bedding material into one location . she will also start to eat more , groom more , and dig more . she may become more restless and startle more easily . if the male is still present in the same cage with his family after the female gives birth , this puts the females life at risk . she will be in heat immediately after giving birth , and the male will mate with her . it isnt healthy for her to get pregnant again right away . take the male out when you see signs of the mother getting ready to give birth , such as nest building . dwarf hamster gestation is between 18 and 30 days , but the average time from mating to birth is 21 days . the roborovski hamster usually goes the full 30 days . once you place a male and female together in a cage , you can expect to have pups within about three weeks . remember to take the male out before the birth so that they dont mate again right away . the female goes back into heat within 24 hours after having the pups . the average size of a dwarf hamster litter is four to six pups . there can be as few as three and as many as twelve , however . they will nurse for about three weeks , although they will start to drink water at the two - week mark . they will huddle and move around the cage together . they will start to eat solid food at the end of their nursing days , anywhere between day 16 and 21 . the mother hamster will be quite skittish while she nurses . for the first three weeks after the pups are born , avoid touching the nest at all costs . the mother might panic and kill her babies . if you need to clean an area of the cage , use something besides your bare hand to get it out . be very careful to avoid the nest . a tissue can be used instead of your hand . try to keep your human smell out of the cage . you might also consider fully stocking a water bottle and the food bowl so that you spend as little time as possible disturbing the mother hamster . you should remove male pups after they are weaned at age four weeks . they are sexually mature at this age , and you want to prevent inbreeding . dwarf hamsters are more mild than other breeds , so you can leave the female pups in the cage with their mother . since the father will reject male babies , place the male pups in their own cage after they are weaned . since they wean at about three weeks , giving them one extra week with their mother to adjust to life on solid food is good . when the babies are about three weeks old , or between 16 and 21 days old , they will start to eat solid food on their own . make sure you stock the cages feeder with enough food for both the mother and babies .

decide what type of hamsters you want . get a male and female . look for hamsters that are in good health . buy two large cages for your hamsters . when you bring each of your hamsters home , allow it at least a day alone . wait until the female is in heat . put the female into the males cage . isolate your female hamster once the mating is over . wait . look for the babies . allow the mother to nurse for three weeks without any disturbance , not even cleaning the cage . wait three and a half weeks .

how to breed hamsters

syrian hamsters are good pets , partially because they are solitary animals , but they can be quite hard to breed . if the male and female are introduced at the wrong time , they may fight . dwarf hamsters are thought to be nippy with humans , but are more social with each other , and can actually be easier to breed . there are also russian hamsters , winter white hamsters , and other varieties . if youre buying from a breeder , talk about the different varieties and discover whether they are social or not , to have some sense of the breeding process . its best to get your breeding hamsters from a breeder , so you have a wide selection of colours and types . its also good to know the breeding history of the hamsters . at a pet shop , you will often find siblings or hybrid breed hamsters that are less desirable for breeding . also , pet store workers often have a difficult time telling the difference between males and females . make sure that their eyes are clear and bright , their fur is smooth and glossy , and that they look active and interested in their surroundings . plastic bin cages or aquariums are a massive advantage in breeding . put one hamster in each cage and fill the bottom with wood shavings , megazorb , or carefresh . try to avoid sawdust , as this gets into hamsters eyes and can affect their breathing . avoid wire cages . hamsters , especially newborn ones , can squeeze out through them . get a small plastic or preferably wood hamster home for your hamster to huddle in . fill it with some of the same shavings as in the cage . a hamster wheel is also a must for the habitat . for dwarf hamsters the size can be almost any size , as long as they are able to use it , but for syrians it must be more than 8 inches 20 . 3 cm , and it should be plastic , not wire , as holes in these wheels are very likely to harm your hamster . also , never give your hamster a wheel where its running with arched back , even just a little , as that can cause serious health problems . youll also need a water bottle , food bowl , hamster food , treats , and anything else that you can think off . dont handle them or take them out of their cages , but make sure the habitat is well stocked to help your hamsters get used to their new environment without disruption . it is best to start handling them the day after you bring them home . if your new hamster hasnt been handled a lot then be prepared to tame them . when hamsters are 28 days old , they will reach their sexual maturity . the female enters heat roughly every 4 days . when the female is in heat , it will behave much like a cat in heat , crouching low to the ground and raising its tail . you may also notice that the hamster is smellier than usual because it is giving off pheromones . if the female is not in heat , trying to breed them can be very dangerous and counterproductive . the female will often fight and kill the male . when youre planning on breeding them , place the two cages side by side for a few days , so they can see and get used to each other , and so the pheromones can do their work . hamsters are nocturnal animals , so its best to start in the early evening . put them into the neutral territory or the males cage . a spare cage is a good option , as she is more likely to attack the male if he is put in her cage . if they start fighting , remove one hamster from the cage , and try again another day . keep following these steps until they mate . if you miss the heat window , wait for a few days until it comes back around . while some male hamsters will care for the babies , some others will attack and eat them . its best to be on the safe side , even if you have a kind and loving male hamster , to separate him for the duration of the gestation and birth , which should only be about two weeks . if youre breeding dwarf hamsters , the time to reach sexual maturity and the gestation period are slightly longer . it takes one month to 5 weeks for a dwarf hamster to reach sexual maturity , and the gestation period is about three weeks . however , no hamsters under 5for males6for females months should be bred as this increases the risk of something going wrong . at this stage , you need to be patient and watch the progress . if your female is pregnant , she should start showing within a few days , and by the time shes ready to give birth will have very prominent saddlebags on each side . you dont need to do anything special , just avoid holding the hamster roughly and leave the hamster alone . you will know the babies will be born soon when the female becomes particularly restless . she wanders around her cage , gathering food and nesting material for her nest . then labor begins you see her sides starting to heave and tiny pink bodies begin to emerge . one by one , they are born while she is on the move in her cage , and one by one , she carefully picks them up in her mouth and brings them back to the nest . when the hamster gives birth , do not attempt to interfere or help in any way . birth , especially the first birth , is often difficult on the hamster , but theres nothing you can do to help at this point . just avoid interference and let nature take its course . it is during this time and the days that follow that you must take extra care not to disturb her . if she leaves any pups lying around the cage , you must not touch them . if for some reason you must , rub a spoon well into the substrate , then scoop them up in it and return them to the nest . leave her , the cage , and especially her babies alone , except for discreetly topping up her food and water . this is particularly important for the first time mother , who under stress , has been known to kill and even eat her babies . dont assume the mother is eating the babies if she puts them in her mouth . this happens if she is startled and thinks they are in danger . at this point , its safe to separate the new hamsters , determine their genders , and separate them . they become sexually mature at 5 - 6 weeks , and you do not want sibling breeding , that will cause genetic disorders . keep females in one cage , males in another for another two to three weeks until they go to their new homes .

prepare for the burial . bury your hamster . place a marker and complete your ceremony . experience your grief . talk about it . try writing down your feelings . take your time .

how to mourn a hamsters death

before you bury your hamster and do any ceremony you feel appropriate you will need to prepare a few things . proper preparation can make your ceremony go smoothly and will help you say goodbye to your friend in a meaningful way . gather the following items to prepare for your hamsters funerala container for your hamster . opt for cardboard , cloth or paper containers instead of plastics . personal items for your ceremony such as flowers or candles . something to dig a grave for your hamster . a marker for the grave site . after you have found a good site for your hamster to be buried and have collected the materials needed , it is time to bury your hamster . you will need to dig a deep grave for your hamster and fill it in properly to prevent any birds or animals from disturbing it . dig a hole as deep as you can to place your hamster inside of it . try to dig at least two feet down . once your hamster is inside its container , place the container inside the hole . place stones over the container before filling the top of the hole in with dirt . once you have finished burying your hamster you will want to place a marker . the marker will help you remember exactly where you have laid your hamster to rest . placing the marker and finalizing your ceremony will help you to say goodbye to your friend and serve as a reminder of your time together . your marker can be something simple , such as a stone that you can place in the ground . you can paint , draw , engrave , or carve anything you want to on your hamsters marker . losing a pet can be a difficult and painful time . many powerful emotions are likely to be experienced during this time and they will need to be worked through . dont be afraid to experience and process these emotions during the following stages of lossdenial is usually the first feeling to arise during a time of loss , being a kind of disbelief in regards to the loss . anger is a reaction to the pain of loss . bargaining is the phase where someone might start asking if only . questions and wondering if they could have saved or prevented the loss in some way . depression is generally felt right before acceptance . it can be a quiet sadness before letting your pet go . acceptance is that final stage where you have fully come to terms and integrated your loss . it might be tempting to deal with your feelings of loss alone . however , talking about your loss with friends and family can help you share your feelings and work towards accepting the loss . speak with your family and friends to lessen the pain of losing your hamster . , after the loss of your hamster , you might want to consider writing your thoughts down . expressing your feelings by writing after the loss of your hamster can help you understand and work through them during grieving process . try some of the following written formats that you can use to express your feelings journaling poetry essay or short stories about your hamsters life . you can even try writing a letter to your hamster that explains how important they were to you . overcoming the feelings of grief that can come from losing a pet will take different amounts of time for everyone . dont be in a rush to feel better and allow yourself time to process and come to terms with your loss . it can be a good idea to wait before rushing into getting a new hamster . there is no hurry or set time line that you must feel better by . listen to yourself and you will know when the time is right for a new hamster .

look at your hamsters injuries . call your veterinarian . gather your treatment supplies . let your hamster heal himself . restrain your hamster . clean the wound . disinfect and treat the wound . place your hamster back in his cage . determine what caused the injury . give your hamster first aid . take your hamster to your veterinarian . treat the injury . care for your hamster at home . remove any hazards from his cage .

how to take care of a found injured hamster

hamsters can get easily injured because their bodies and bones are so small . fortunately , not all injuries are serious enough to require treatment by a veterinarian . take a quick look at your hamster to see if his injuries look minor e . g , small cuts and scrapes or major e . g . broken limbs , lots of bleeding . minor injuries are typically treatable at home , but major injures require immediate veterinary care . if your hamster has major injuries , he will have other symptoms , including labored and raspy breathing , excessive squeals , and aggression when handled . be mindful that hamsters can be good at hiding just how much pain theyre in . if your hamsters injuries are major , call your veterinarian immediately to let him or know you will be arriving soon with an emergency case . be aware that not all small animal veterinarians treat pocket pets e . g . hamsters , gerbils , guinea pigs . if your veterinarian is not able to treat your hamster , ask if he or she can refer you to a veterinarian who can . by calling , your veterinarian can advise you on what first aid you can give your hamster before you get to the veterinarians office . if you have determined that your hamsters injuries are minor , begin preparing to treat him at home . you will need a number of supplies , including clean towels , q - tips , several 10cc syringes without the needles , and some sterile 2 x 2 gauze . in addition , you will need a bottle of sterile saline , a disinfectant solution betadine and an antibiotic ointment . you can find treatment supplies at your local pharmacy . your veterinarian can advise you on the specific type of antibiotic ointment you should use . betadine is also known as povidone iodine . hydrogen peroxide has commonly been used as a disinfectant , but it may not be as beneficial as previously thought . the bubbling seen with hydrogen peroxide can damage cells , so using it may do more harm than good . hamsters are very hardy animals and can recovery quickly from injury . if you see that he has only minor cuts and scrapes , consider letting him tend to them on his own . many times , hamsters will lick and clean the wounds , which will heal them . the wounds from minor cuts and scrapes can become infected if your hamster doesnt tend to them and clean them . an infected wound can turn into an abscess , which is a pocket of infection . abscesses are serious and must be treated by a veterinarian . they will also require at - home care , such as wound cleaning and antibiotics . another option is for you to treat the minor injuries . before getting to the wounds , wrap your hamster in a small , clean towel to restrain him . hamsters can become very nippy when they are injured , so you should protect yourself from getting bitten . wrap him up in such a way that you can still get to his wounds . other than cuts and scrapes , your hamster may have skin sores as a result of injury . these are open wounds that look inflamed and might be bleeding . if there is not a lot of blood , you can treat the sores at home . your hamster may not be able to clean open sores on his own , so you should do this for him . with your syringe , draw up some sterile saline . gently squirt the saline around the wound and pat the wound dry with a piece or two of the gauze . do this a few times to make sure the wound is clean and free of debris . cleaning it yourself can prevent abscess formation , since you will be able to clearly see how well youve cleaned it . when the wound is dry , use another syringe to draw up a small amount of betadine . dispense this onto the wound and pat it dry with some more gauze . apply a thin layer of antibiotic ointment to the wound with a q - tip . disinfecting the wound will help kill microorganisms that could cause infection . betadine can stain your skin , so you may want to wear gloves when you use it . no matter the injury , it is important that your hamster rest and recover comfortably in his cage . place his food and water bowls near his sleeping area . the cage should be in a warm and quiet area of your home . it is ideal that your hamster recover in a cage without bars , such as an aquarium , to prevent further injury . if you do not already have an aquarium and buying one isnt practical , keep a close eye on your hamster when he is moving around in his cage . to prevent these minor injuries from happening again , you should try to identify what caused them in the first place . for example , your hamster may have rubbed against a sharp edged toy that cut his skin . or , there may be a loose wire in his cage that is scraping against his skin . if your hamster has a cage mate with whom he doesnt get along , they may have scratched or bitten each other . your hamsters nails might be too long , causing him to scratch himself . whatever the cause , do your best to manage or remove it so your hamster doesnt get injured again . this may involve separating your hamsters . major injuries must be treated by a veterinarian immediately . giving your hamster first aid can stabilize him and increase his chances of survival before you get to your veterinarians office . first aid is most useful if your hamster is bleeding . with a small towel or piece of facial tissue , apply gentle pressure to the wound to try and stop the bleeding . blood loss in a hamster can be life threatening , since hamsters do not have a lot of blood to begin with . do not use up precious time waiting for the bleeding to stop your veterinarian will be able to provide further care for your hamster . when transporting your hamster , keep him wrapped up in a towel in his travel carrier . this will keep him calm and quiet during the ride . prepare yourself for the possibility that your hamster may not make it . some injuries are so serious that , no matter what a veterinarian does , the hamster will not survive . if your hamster is severely injured , the best option may be to put him to sleep ‘euthanasia . your veterinarian will do what he or she can to treat your hamsters major injuries . for example , if there is an abscess from an infected wound , your veterinarian will lance and drain it . if your hamster has become dehydrated from not wanting to drink water after his injury , your veterinarian can give him fluids under his skin to rehydrate him . a serious wound may require stitches . if your hamster has a broken leg , you may be surprised that theres not much your veterinarian can do to fix it . if he or she tries to put a splint or wrap on the limb , your hamster will likely chew it off . your veterinarian will recommend that you let the broken bone heal on its own . the leg may be a little crooked as a result , but your hamster will be fine . to lessen the pain , your veterinarian may prescribe pain medication . your veterinarian will recommend treatment for a broken limb only if your hamster is dragging it around or the leg looks inflamed . be aware that if your hamster can no longer use his back legs , your veterinarian may recommend euthanasia . when you take your hamster home from the veterinarian , you will need to do a few things to keep him comfortable while he recovers . other than pain medications , your veterinarian may recommend using a cold compress on the injury to lessen inflammation . since your hamster is so small , his whole body could get cold from the compress . keep him snuggly wrapped up during and after use of the compress to keep him warm . if your hamster has an infected wound , your veterinarian will send you home with antibiotics to give to your hamster . your hamster may be in so much pain that he refuses to eat and drink . hand - feed him by placing small bits of food in your hand and holding your hand close to his mouth . handle him as little as possible when he is recovering . this is especially important if your hamster has a leg injury . take out any toys or accessories that would require your hamster to use his legs , as well as ramps , ladders , hamster wheels . remove tubes that he would be tempted to crawl through . keep only the necessities in his cage , such as comfortable bedding and bowls for food and water .

move your hamster to a separate habitat . clean the original habitat . warm your hamster . hold your hamster for warmth and comfort . replace your hamsters food and water . put food and water dishes close to your hamster . increase your hamsters protein intake . provide sufficient liquids . feed your hamster by hand or syringe . avoid allowing your hamster to eat too much at one time . watch for mild signs of illness . look out for signs of severe illness or death . observe behavioral signs of illness or death . see your vet .

how to keep your hamster comfortable when it is sick or dying

if you have a habitat that houses multiple hamsters , provide your sick or dying hamster a separate space to rest . using an isolation habitat can keep your hamster comfortable , prevent stress from other animals and activity , and minimize the risk of disease transmission to cage mates . place the isolation habitat in a location away from other pets , family members , bright light , and noise . make sure the new tank into which you move your hamster is large enough to keep it comfortable . although the hamster might not move much , it should still have room to move . move cleaned food and water dishes to the isolation habitat . you can use diluted soapy , water to clean the dishes . avoid placing an exercise wheel in the new habitat . hamsters are known to exercise when theyre sick , which can cause injury or dehydration . remove any tunnels or plug them so that the cage is simple and homey . this can keep your hamsters movement to a minimum . no matter if you have multiple hamsters or a single syrian hamster , which prefers solitude , its important to clean the cage thoroughly . this can minimize the transmission of disease to cage mates or give a single hamster a clean and comfortable environment . wear protective gloves or wash your hands thoroughly when finished . if you are pregnant , ask someone to clean the cage for you to minimize your risk of rodent meningitis or fungal infections . use diluted , soapy water or a bleach solution of ¼ cup bleach to 2¼ cups water to sanitize the entire habitat . clean all of the surfaces in the cage and make sure to rinse them thoroughly , especially if youre using a bleach solution . bleach vapors can be toxic to a hamster in an enclosed space . hamsters that are ill often wont eat or drink , which can cause them to become chilled . they may even go into hibernation , which can be dangerous for domestic hamsters . making sure that your hamster is warm , but not hot , will keep it comfortable and minimize any stress it has . put plenty of plain , unscented toilet paper in the habitat . tear the toilet paper into strips , which your hamster will use to make a nest that in which it can curl up and get warm . use a heating pad or heat lamp to warm the habitat to 70 - 85 degrees fahrenheit 21 - 29 degrees celsius . if youre using a heat lamp , place a small hamster house inside the habitat so your pet can escape the bright light . make sure to not overheat the habitat , as it can cause heat stress or heat stroke . if your hamster is comfortable and not fighting you , wrap it in a small towel and hold it close to your body . your hamster may curl up and sleep on you while the towel and your body heat warm it up . stroke your hamster if it allows you . you can also talk or sing to it . this can further soothe and comfort your hamster . if you havent done so already , wash your hamsters food and water dishes in hot and diluted , soapy water . dry them thoroughly and then add fresh new food and water . this can minimize the risk of your hamster becoming more sick and may stimulate its desire to eat . avoid using a bleach solution to wash your hamsters food and water dishes . leftover bleach could be toxic to your hamster . many hamsters feel lethargic and stop eating when they dont feel well . its important that they eat and drink regularly to fight off illness and recover . placing your hamsters food and water dishes closer to it gives access to sustenance while keeping movement to a minimum . place the dishes close to your hamsters nest . this allows your hamster to easily move between its warm spot and the food and water it needs . protein can help your hamster build strength . adding some tasty , protein - rich foods to your hamsters diet may help it fight illness and recover . remember to wash the dish as necessary with certain high - protein foods such as eggs or milk . the following are good sources of protein for an ailing hamsterplain scrambled eggs tofu milk - soaked bread yogurt with probiotics in small amounts baby food free of garlic , onion , and lemon juice hard - boiled eggscooked chicken in small bits for an ailing hamster , getting enough liquids is an even bigger priority than food . making sure it has a fresh source of water and providing foods high in water content can keep your hamster hydrated . this may help it feel better . recognize that the best source of liquid for your hamster is water . you can also give it a weakened solution of unflavored electrolyte . do this by mixing one part electrolyte solution to one part water . add fruits like pears and apples to increase your hamsters liquids . even a piece of milk - soaked bread will provide extra liquid to its diet . if your hamster doesnt seem to be eating or drinking from its dishes , you can feed it by hand or by syringe . this may be easier for your hamster than moving to its dish . it can also provide vital nutrients and liquids . place bits of food in your hands and see if your hamster takes it . you may want to do this sitting in a comfortable spot so you can give your hamster time to eat . stroke your hamster and talk to it so it feels comfortable and soothed . try a 1cc syringe to give baby food and liquids if your hamster wont eat out of your hand . place the syringe in the corner of the mouth behind the front teeth . then depress the plunger . your hamster may even grab the syringe and feed itself . if your hamster seems very hungry , let it eat for a few minutes . then take a break and try feeding or giving it more food . letting your hamster eat without a break can make its illness worse and may also make it feel worse . hamsters that are ill or dying will usually exhibit one or many mild physical signs . paying attention to your hamsters on a daily basis can help you identify potential problems , give it comfort , and seek veterinary help if they symptoms dont go away within a couple of days . some physical signs of illness or dying in a hamster arecoughing constipation diarrhea hair loss head tilt nasal discharge excessive urination itching sneezing wheezing damp , dried out , or ruffled fur , some hamsters may exhibit more concerning symptoms of illness or death . seek immediate veterinary treatment if your hamster has any of the following signsenlarged or swollen abdomen that is not from eating difficult , labored or rapid breathing collapse or coma discharge from the genitals or anus bulging , cloudy , crusted , or squinting eyes sores or scabs swelling beneath the skin wet tail , in addition to watching your hamsters physical appearance , its important to pay attention to its behavior . it may not have physical symptoms of illness , but a hamsters behavior can also cue you into potential illness or death . some behavioral signs of illness in a hamster include changes in interaction with other hamsters change in interaction with you cowering nipping exercise intoleranceloss of appetite excessive drinking head tilting if your hamster doesnt respond to any of your attempts to make it comfortable and keep it fed and hydrated , take it to your vet . getting the appropriate treatment in a timely manner could be key to helping your hamster recover . remember that food and water are vital to hamsters , in part because they are so small . seek the vet if your hamster hasnt had any food or liquid in 2 or 3 days . let the vet know what signs and symptoms of illness youve observed as well as how much your hamster has been eating and drinking . if youve given your hamster any medications , provide the vet that information , too . follow any treatment plans or medications your vet suggests and prescribes . if your hamster is too ill , your vet may suggest euthanization to relieve it from further suffering . although this may be difficult for you , it may be the most humane thing to do for your hamster .

choose the right cage . clean the cage regularly . make sure your hamster gets exercise . feed your hamster a balanced diet . provide plenty of water .

how to make your hamster live longer 1

hamsters will live longer in the proper environment . make sure you provide your hamster a spacious , comfortable cage . the size of a hamsters cage is important for his health and wellbeing . a single hamster needs a cage that is at least 12 inches wide by 12 inches high by 18 inches long . however , a bigger cage is generally better . this gives your hamster more room to run and play , allowing him to get more exercise . if youre getting a specific breed , like a syrian hamster , a bigger cage may be necessary as these hamsters can grow as long as 6 inches . in terms of accessories , you will need a bare minimum of a hanging water bottle and a ceramic bowl of food . however , an exercise wheel , toys , ladders , and material for chewing is also helpful to have in a hamster cage . it keeps your hamster active and emotionally stimulated . boredom can cause stress , leading to health and behavioral problems that can potentially shorten a hamsters lifespan . your cage should be in a warm area of your home . drafts and cold temperature can cause health problems like colds . however , excessive heat or stuffiness can also bother a hamster . pick a well ventilated area , which you have access to at all times . keep your hamster out of direct sunlight and place the cage on a sturdy table . never use newspaper , cat litter , scented bedding , fluffy bedding , or corn cob in a hamsters cage . these substances can be harmful to your hamster . hamsters can get sick if theyre forced to walk through their own droppings or germs . its important that you clean your hamsters cage at least once a week if you want him to live a long , happy life . always remove your hamster from his cage before cleaning . place him in a safe and secure area . remove all bedding , toys , food bowls , and water bottles . throw away old bedding that has urine or feces on it . any toys that cannot be safely cleaned or disinfected should also be thrown out . you can use regular cage disinfectant , which you can purchase at a pet store . while this should be safe for your hamster , if you worry about chemicals white vinegar can be used to clean your hamsters cage . spray down the cage , getting the bottom of the cage , top of the cage , and bars of the cage , and then wipe it down with a clean towel . you should also disinfect a hamsters toys , food bowl , and water bottle . make sure to rinse such items thoroughly before placing them back in a hamsters cage . allow the cage , and your hamsters supplies , to air dry completely before putting your hamster back in his cage . obesity and inactivity can cause health problems in hamsters just as it can in humans . its important that you make sure your hamster is getting plenty of exercise so hell live longer . make sure the environment you provide for your hamster encourages physical activity . running wheels and ladders to climb on are great ways to make sure your hamster gets a quality workout each day . go to your local pet shop , or go online , and purchase a variety of fun and interactive toys for your hamster that encourage movement . plastic tubes can be purchased for a hamsters cage . some people invest in a second cage and have the cages connect to one another via a tube . your hamster will have fun exploring the tubing and this will give him something to do all the day . the more your hamster moves , the better for his longterm health . you can purchase a hamster ball at a local pet store . this is a small plastic device you can place your hamster in and then let him wander around your home . make sure the hamster ball is closed completely before releasing your hamster and always supervise him when hes using his ball . hamsters need a specific diet in order to thrive . feed your hamster a combination of table food and hamster pellets to make sure he gets all the nutrients he needs . this will allow your hamster to live a long , quality life . pellets should be a major aspect of your hamsters diet . you can find commercial pellets at your local pet store . they should provide most of the nutrients your hamster needs to be healthy . however , if youre unsure that commercial pellets are adequate ask your vet about adding vitamins to your hamsters diet . many hamster owners find mixing vitamins into their hamsters food improves their pets overall health . in addition to pellets , you should add fresh produce to your hamsters diet . alfalfa sprouts , apples , bananas , green beans , zucchini , sunflower seeds , and other grains and veggies can be a great supplement to a hamsters regular diet . however , do not give your hamster rotten food . this can cause indigestion and other health problems . hamsters tend to eat fattier , tastier foods from a pile first . for example , they may eat all their sunflower seeds without touching their fruit . this is normal but do not take it as an indication you should feed your hamster more sunflower seeds . you need to make sure your hamster has a balance of healthy foods in addition to fun snacks and treats . moderation is key to a healthy , happy pet . in addition to food , hamsters need plenty of water . make sure you refill your hamsters water bowl each day . you should also dump out water every other day or so and replace it with clean , fresh water . if your hamster seems to be drinking an excessive amount of water , take him into the vet for evaluation . increased water consumption can be a sign of diabetes in hamster .

check your hamsters nose . watch your hamsters eyes . look at your hamsters bottom .

how to know if your hamster is healthy 1

a hamsters environment can cause your hamster to develop a cold or breathing problem . therefore , to make sure the temperature is appropriate , you should check your hamsters nose weekly to gauge his health . does your hamsters nose seem abnormally wet is there any discharge coming from his nose if not , your hamster is probably in good health . if your hamsters nose is runny and wet , he may have a cold . hamsters catch colds fairly easily and they usually go away on their own . just give you hamster space to rest until symptoms clear up . if his nose is running for more than a week , he may be allergic to something in his cage . try removing any new toys or bedding and see if symptoms clear up . hamsters are prone to eye troubles . eye infections and chronic conditions like glaucoma can cause cloudy eyes , discharge , and difficulty seeing . check your hamsters eyes daily . as eye infections and chronic conditions require specific medications , you should have any unusual changes evaluated by your veterinarian . he or she can help you form a health plan for your hamster . hamster eyes should be clean and clear . they should be free of discharge and any tears in the corners of the eyes . in the event of an infection , a hamsters eyelids may swell and become droopy . a hamsters rear end should be clean and clear of any fecal matter or unusual discharge . conditions like chronic constipation , issues with the stomach , and reproductive problems can often be detected by examining a hamsters rear end . you should check you hamsters rear on a daily basis to watch for warning signs . staining or loose droppings may indicate a hamster has diarrhea or is having difficult passing stools . this could be a minor issue , like the food youre feeding your hamster , or it could be a sign of an underlying medical condition . take your hamster to your vet if you notice staining or droppings on a hamsters bottom . a wet tail may also be a sign of diarrhea . as stress can be a cause of diarrhea , any recent changes to a hamsters environment may trigger such health problems . if you moved to a new apartment , for example , your hamster may have an upset stomach for a few days . give your hamster a few days to adjust and see if symptoms clear up . if they do not , contact your vet . an infection of the womb in female hamsters , known as pyometra , can be detected by examining a hamsters bottom . if you notice discharge from the opening above your hamsters anus , it may be a sign of infection . the discharge may produce a pungent odor . as pyometra can be serious if untreated , get your hamster to the vet immediately if you notice these symptoms .

watch for overheating . move his cage to cooler part of the house . use a fan . avoid direct sunlight . well ventilate the cage . use cool water . limit playing . never leave your hamster in a hot car . give frozen treats . provide a frozen water bottle . freeze bath sand . freeze his ceramic housing . drape a frozen towel over or around the cage .

how to keep a hamster cool in hot weather

hamsters are very sensitive to the heat and can overheat easily . keep an eye out for these symptoms of heatstroke panting bright red tongue slobbering depression weakness lack of movement convulsions walk through your home and try and find where it is the coolest . try and move your hamsters cage there . place the cage in a lower part of the house . heat rises , so the coolest part of your house might be in a basement . another cool place is a bathroom or kitchen . tile can be cool and provide a comfortable place for your hamster . you do not want to use a fan directly on your hamster as it can add stress to your hamster or make it too cool . instead , make sure the room where the cage is located is well ventilated and has a good fan . this will help circulate the air and keep the room cool . do not put your hamsters cage in direct sunlight . on hot days , make sure the cage is out of reach of the sunlight filtering through the windows . this can easily cause heatstroke in a hamster and other small animals . avoid other heat sources like fireplaces , stoves , and heaters . make sure your hamster has ventilation in his cage . experts prefer wire cages for this reason , as opposed to aquariums . if your hamster is kept in an aquarium , it is especially important for it to be placed in a well ventilated room , an easy way to keep your hamster cool is to provide cool water . hamsters can become dehydrated quickly , and it is important to always supply a source of fresh , clean water . hamsters do not have the ability to sweat , so they are in danger of becoming dehydrated more quickly than mammals . it is important to limit playing with your hamster in hot weather to avoid overheating . if you want to handle your hamster , try in the early mornings or at night when the temperature is cooler . never leave a hamster , or any animal , in a vehicle during warm weather the inside of a car can reach deadly temperatures . if you are taking your hamster to the vet or traveling with him , take care to keep your hamster safe from dangerous temperatures . a frozen variety of your hamsters favorite treat is a great way to cool him down on a hot day . be careful to stick to treats that are safe for your hamster . consider freezing barley cashews flaxseeds millet oats peanuts pumpkin seeds sesame seeds cooked potato fill a water bottle or an empty soda bottle about halfway with water . wait until it freezes solid . then , wrap it in a towel or cloth and place it in your hamsters cage . make sure you wrap the bottle . the frozen bottle can hurt your hamsters skin . a good tip is to freeze the bottle on its side . that way , when you place it in the cage , the hamster has more to lay against . you can also use a frozen ice pack . hamsters like to bathe in bath sand . you can treat your hamster to a cool bath by freezing his bath sand . try taking a cup of sand and placing it in a zip - lock bag . put the bag in the freezer for a few hours , remove the sand from the bag , and place it in the hamsters cage . if you have a ceramic house in your hamsters cage , you can freeze it for a few hours to create a cold habitat . ceramic holds temperature well and can provide a cool haven for an overheated hamster . alternatively , you can use a frozen ceramic tile or marble square in his cage . dampen a towel and freeze it for a few hours . drape it around the outside of the hamsters cage , wrapping it around the bottom of the cage . this will create a cold barrier that your hamster can lay against . make sure you do not block the airflow from your hamsters cage with the towel .

watch for signs of poor health . take your hamster to the vet when necessary . keep your hamsters nails and teeth filed down . help your hamster maintain a healthy weight .

how to make your hamster live longer 2

you should check your hamster periodically for signs of poor health . most medical problems are easier to treat if theyre caught early on . once a week , inspect your hamster to make sure hes in good health . check your hamsters nose and eyes . both should be clear and free of discharge . hamsters are prone to colds . if your hamster seems to be getting colds often , you may need to move his cage into a warmer part of the house . hamsters are prone to eye infections and chronic eye problems like glaucoma . if you notice tearing , unusual discharge , or droopy and swollen eyelids take your hamster to a vet for evaluation . as your hamster ages , his fur may grow thinner and he might develop bald spots . this is normal . however , if you have a younger hamster whos developing flaky skin , bald spots , matted fur , or rashes take him to the vet for evaluation . check your hamster for lumps each week . hamsters are prone to benign skin growths but , in rare cases , new lumps can be cancerous . the sooner a cancerous lump is removed , the better chance your hamster has of recovery . if you notice a new growth on your hamster , make a vet appointment as soon as possible . when it comes to hamster health , prevention is always better than treatment . take your hamster to the vet for a checkup at least once a year . in addition to yearly check - ups , a vet appointment might be necessary if you notice certain changes in your hamsters behavior or appearance . any sudden changes can be a sign your hamster is not feeling well . if your hamster gains or loses weight quickly , has any changes in energy , or seems disinterested in normal activities make an appointment with your vet . keep an eye on your hamsters rear end . if you notice staining or stools suck to the fur around your hamsters anus , he may have digestive issues that need evaluation . if you notice a pungent smell coming from your female hamster , check for discharge on the area above her anus . females are prone to infections of the womb that require fast medical intervention . check your hamsters teeth and nails once a week . your hamsters teeth should be yellow and the bottom teeth should be longer than the top . nails should be long without curving inward . long teeth or nails can cause irritation and may even puncture your hamsters skin , resulting in health problems . if your hamsters teeth or nails seem overgrown , make an appointment with your vet to have them trimmed . a healthy weight is important for your hamster . hamsters generally gain weight until the age of 6 months . their weight should be relatively stable until they reach 18 months . at that point , your hamsters weight will start decreasing slightly each month . weight changes between 6 and 18 months may be a sign something is wrong . if your hamster is gaining weight , talk to your vet about his diet . you may need to find a different brand of pellet or cut back on his treats . if a change in diet does not result in weight loss , your vet may want to test your hamster for medical conditions that may be causing weight gain . if your hamster is losing weight , take him to the vet for evaluation . a variety of health problems can cause weight loss or loss of appetite in a hamster . early detection can help provide more effective treatment for your hamster .

keep your hamsters cage in a safe place . allow your hamster to live alone . do not let your hamster out of his cage unsupervised . choose the right wheel .

how to make your hamster live longer 3

you should keep your hamsters cage in a secure place away from direct sunlight . do not keep your hamsters cage in an area where small children or other pets may get at the cage . if a cage is knocked over or otherwise damaged , this could be deadly for your hamster . read reviews before purchasing a hamster cage . not all hamster cages are created equal . if a lot of buyers report problems with a particular brand , go for a different option . hamsters are territorial and do not get along with other hamsters , so it is best to let your hamster have his own cage . introducing a new hamster to your hamsters cage may stress him out and they may end up fighting . stress can cause health problems and fights can lead to injuries , both of which can shorten a hamsters lifespan . if you have to introduce a second hamster for some reason , do so gradually . if you get a new hamster , make sure its of the same sex as your current hamster . hamsters are very fertile and may breed if placed in the same cage as an opposite sex partner . you should introduce a hamster to a new friend when hes still relatively young . suddenly adding a new hamster when your hamster is a senior can be jarring . keep hamsters in separate cages where they can see one another for about a week . then , place them in the same cage . if they fight , separate them gently and allow them time to cool down before reintroducing them . wear protective gloves when handling fighting hamsters , as they may scratch and bite when scared . many people allow hamsters to roam their homes freely in a hamster ball . this can be a great way to exercise your hamster . however , a hamster should never be allowed to roam a house unattended . hamsters can get caught in nooks and crannies in your home , roll down the stairs , or even accidentally get out of the house . if you use a hamster ball , make sure you supervise your hamster when hes using the ball . a wheel thats too small can cause injury and back pain for your hamster . this could limit his movement and discourage him from exercising . at minimum , the wheel you purchase should be 6 . 5 inches . larger hamsters need wheels of at least 8 inches . its better to have a wheel thats too big than too small , as a small wheel forces a hamster to arch his back . this is what leads to injury .

examine your hamsters skin and hair . look at your hamsters teeth . inspect your hamsters nails . watch for lumps . weigh your hamster .

how to know if your hamster is healthy 2

a hamsters fur and skin should be monitored for changes weekly . some changes are normal . older hamsters , for example , are prone to thinning hair . however , hair loss in a younger hamster may be a sign of health problem and should be evaluated by a vet . hamsters fur and skin varies by breed . you should know your hamsters normal coat condition and be able to tell if it is changing . a deteriorating coat on an older hamster is normal . however , in a younger hamster dry fur , matted patches of hair , skin rashes , flaky skin , and bald spots can be a warning sign . fur loss and skin rashes can be a sign of an easily treatable problem , like fleas or mites . however , they can also be a sign of a chronic condition like cushings disease . its important to have your hamster evaluated by a vet in the event of skin and fur changes to diagnose the issue properly . if mites , fleas , and chronic diseases are ruled out by a vet , your hamster may be allergic to his bedding or toys . try removing certain items , like any new toys or chews , from his cage or changing the bedding . if you notice an improvement when a certain material is removed , your hamsters fur changes were likely an allergic reaction . hamsters are prone to overgrown and uneven teeth . you may need to occasionally take your hamster to the vet to have this teeth trimmed . you should also monitor the color of his teeth to make sure theyre healthy . a hamsters teeth should be of more or less the same length . the bottom teeth should be longer than the top teeth . if your hamsters teeth seem to be getting longer , try providing him toys he can chew on . this can help keep his teeth at an appropriate height . you can buy traditional wooden chews made specifically for hamsters or purchase dog biscuits for your hamster . a hamsters teeth should be yellow . if you notice your hamsters teeth whitening , take him to a vet to check for signs of a mouth infection . on occasion , you may need to have your vet trim your hamsters teeth . if your hamsters teeth begin curving inwards towards his mouth and jaw , take him to the vet . a qualified veterinarian can clip your hamsters teeth safely . your vet may also provide you with instructions on how to trim your hamsters teeth on your own . much like teeth , hamster nails can become overgrown . you can provide a hamster with longer nails with a big of store bought hamster sand . the hamster will dig in the sand and wear down his nails to an appropriate level . check your hamsters nails each week . if they seem to be growing longer and curving downward , pick up some sand for your hamster at a local pet shop . not all hamsters take well to sand . some hamsters dislike playing in the sand . other hamsters have very strong nails that do not wear down with digging . if your hamsters nails do not seem to improve with sand , make an appointment with your vet to have them trimmed . hamsters can get benign and cancerous growths on all parts of their bodies . such growths should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible to decide on a course of treatment . once a week , take your hamster out of his cage and gently inspect him for lumps . allow your hamster to come to you . put your hand in the cage , palm upward , and wait for him to come sniff you before picking him up or handling him . handle your hamster gently as not to cause him pain . examine all over your hamsters body for any new lumps or bumps . if you find a bump on your hamster , dont panic . hamsters are prone to benign cysts and ulcers . however , if the lump is cancerous early intervention is key . removing a cancerous lump in its early stages improves your hamsters chance at recovery . stay calm and make an appointment with your vet for evaluation as soon as possible . hamsters have scent glands near their hips . people often mistake these for cuts or lumps , but they are a perfectly normal part of a hamsters anatomy . however , if a hamster is vigorously licking at his scent glands he may dislike the smell of something in his cage . consider removing any new toys or bedding and see if the behavior stops . the appropriate weight of a hamster varies by breed but your hamsters weight should stay relatively stable . it may fluctuate by a few grams each week , but any major changes could be a sign of a health condition . you can weigh a hamster on a small handheld scale you might use in the kitchen to weigh food . its normal for a hamsters weight to increase until hes six months or older . however , a full grown hamsters weight should not continue growing each week . if your hamsters weight is increasing , talk to your vet about adjusting his feeding schedule . obesity can cause a number of health conditions in your hamster . as in humans , weight loss and loss of appetite is a sign of a variety of health problems . if your hamster is losing weight each week , take him to a vet for evaluation .

recognize healthy behavior . keep an eye on water consumption . monitor urine color . be wary of changes in movement .

how to know if your hamster is healthy 3

in order to recognize warning signs , understand whats normal . your hamster should be fairly energetic and social . hamsters move around in their cage frequently and like to chew on wood chips and toys . hamsters are naturally nocturnal , but tend to adapt to your schedule with time . if youve had your hamster for awhile , you can expect to see him awake when youre awake . a hamsters breathing patterns should be even and clear . if your hamster seem lethargic , sleeps a lot , or if his breathing sounds labored you should take him to a vet . hamsters can develop diabetes . increased water consumption is a common early sign . keep an eye on how much your hamster is drinking and , if he seems to be consuming more water than usual , take him in for a check up . hamsters drink different levels of water depending on size and breed . however , try to keep track of how much you refill a hamsters water bowl on an average day or week . if you suddenly seem to be refilling the bowl more , you should have your hamster tested for diabetes . there is no cure for diabetes in hamsters . however , changes to a hamsters diet can help improve symptoms . if your hamster does have diabetes , you should go over a treatment plan with your veterinarian . hamsters urine should be clear or yellow . if you notice brown or reddish urine , this could be a sign of a variety of problems . it may be something benign , like an effect of the pellets youre using . however , your hamster could also have a urinary infection or bladder stones . red urine should be evaluated by a veterinarian as soon as possible . older hamsters sometimes suffer strokes . however , strokes can happen at any age . they usually occur at night and your hamster may be still and have trouble walking and running when in the morning . other sudden changes in movement could indicate other health problems . if your hamster is having trouble eating or drinking , he may have suffered a stroke or have another health condition that affects his movement . have him evaluated by a veterinarian . in rare cases , a hamster might suffer chronic seizures . your hamster might move his arms and legs uncontrollably while his mouth is opened . he will stare blankly with his eyes looking dull and unfocused . seizures are a hereditary condition for which there is no cure . however , you can adjust your hamsters cage , food , and water for his safety and comfort . hamsters who have seizures can live relatively normal life spans .

look for lumps on the belly . watch for lumps in the armpit and neck . check for wart - like lumps on the skin . examine the lump for redness and heat . notice how quickly the lumps grow . detect a decreased appetite . take note of digestive upset . check for hair loss . determine if your hamster is extra thirsty . watch for changes in behavior . take your hamster to your vet . allow your vet to take a tumor sample . discuss treatment options .

how to diagnose tumors in hamsters

hamsters can develop different types of tumors as they grow older . lymphoma , which is a cancer of the immune system , is a common tumor in hamsters . it can affect many internal organs and lymph nodes , resulting in the formation of lumps in the belly . if the lumps are large enough , you would be to see and feel them . lymph nodes are small nodules located throughout a hamsters body . they are part of the immune system . lymphoma that affects the belly is common in young hamsters . it is caused by a virus called hamster polyomavirus . female hamsters can develop mammary tumors . mammary glands are the small nipples that run lengthwise down a female hamsters chest and belly . mammary tumors look like large masses . lymphoma commonly causes swelling of the lymph nodes in the armpit and neck . if you see lumps in your hamsters neck and armpits , the lymph nodes in those areas are likely swollen with cancer cells . hamster polyomavirus can also affect the skin . this virus causes little wart - like tumors called trichoepitheliomas to form on the skin . these skin tumors are most common in adult hamsters . a hamster infected with hamster polyomavirus can develop mange , a skin condition caused by tiny parasites called mites . if your hamster has mange , its skin will be scaly and itchy . hamsters can develop other lumps called abscesses , which are pockets of infection . when diagnosing a tumor in hamsters , it is important to make sure the lump is a tumor and not an abscess . an abscess will be red and maybe even warm to the touch , indicating infection and inflammation . a tumor probably wont be red or feel warm . however , some tumors might show signs of inflammation and infection . your vet will be able to determine whether the lump is an abscess or a tumor . in hamsters , tumors tend to grow very quickly . if you see a lump on your hamster that suddenly gets bigger , your hamster likely has a tumor . when a hamster has a tumor , it will probably eat less . you will know if your hamster is eating less if it doesnt finish all the food you normally feed it at meal time . also , your hamster may not want to eat the treats it usually enjoys . if your hamster is eating less , it will also lose weight . weight loss is common in hamsters with tumors . lymphoma in the digestive organs e . g . stomach , intestines can cause signs of digestive upset , especially diarrhea . you will not see vomit , because hamsters cannot vomit . commonly , hamsters get tumors in glands adrenal , thyroid that produce hormones . thyroid and adrenal tumors disrupt the normal balance of hormones in your hamsters body . one result of this hormone imbalance is hair loss . lymphoma in hamsters can also cause hair loss . this hair loss is patchy . thyroid and adrenal tumors can also make a hamster extremely thirsty . if you are refilling your hamsters water bottle more frequently than usual , your hamster might have a thyroid or adrenal tumor . the physical discomfort of a tumor could cause a hamster to start acting strangely . for example , your hamster may groom the area of the tumor to the point of causing baldness or injury . your hamster may also start walking strangely if the size of the tumor makes walking difficult . your hamster may also become very weak . it will not be as playful as it used to be . as soon as you see a lump on your hamster , take your hamster to your vet . since tumors can grow quickly , you do not want to wait and see if the lump goes away on its own . the sooner you can get your hamster to your vet , the sooner your vet can diagnose and treat the tumor . during the appointment , give your vet a full history of your hamster , including when you first noticed the lumps and what other symptoms you observed . also , tell your vet about your hamsters normal diet and if your hamster has had any previous illnesses . the best way to diagnose a tumor is to analyze a small sample of it . this sample is called a biopsy . your vet will anesthetize your hamster to take a biopsy . next , they will send the biopsy to a veterinary expert who will analyze it and determine the tumor type . it will probably take at least a few days before your vet receives the results of the biopsy . after diagnosing a tumor in your hamster , your vet will want to discuss different treatment options with you . if the tumor is on your hamsters skin , your vet will likely be able to surgically remove it . however , tumors inside the body may be difficult to remove , especially if they are really big .

choose a high - quality hamster food . look at the label . consider reducing how much food you provide . keep your hamsters food in a dish . be aware that hamsters are active animals . give your hamster a bigger cage . give your hamster a hamster wheel . allow the hamster to explore in a hamster ball . have your hamster examined by a vet . provide plenty of fresh , clean water . keep its teeth trimmed .

how to get an overweight hamster to lose weight

just as with human food , there is healthy hamster food , and then there is junk food . investing in a high - quality hamster food will help your hamster lose weight , especially if it has been eating a lot of empty calories . for example , if your hamster is eating a lot of seeds , a lot of treats , or a lot of food filled with sugar , it will gain weight unnecessarily . it is ok to give your hamster a special treat every now and then , but it shouldnt make up a significant portion of its diet . in addition to hamster food , hamsters also need fresh food to eat . it is important to provide it with a small amount of something fresh to eat each day . examples include grass , clovers , and carrots . you can also feed leafy greens , such as lettuce , but it should only have a very small amount of this because it can cause diarrhea . occasionally , you can also give your hamster a small piece of dog biscuit to gnaw on . this will provide protein and also help grind its teen down . at pet food stores , you can often find pre - mixed hamster food that aims to meet many of your hamsters nutritional needs at once . however , as with any type of pet food , the cheapest brands often contain low - quality ingredients . the goal of these brands is often to sell something to make money rather than to provide a quality diet for your hamster . thus , you need to look at the labels carefully before choosing . a balanced hamster diet will have a mix of seeds and cereals , as well as insect larvae or insects such as crickets . if the label shows that the hamster food is high in sugar , you should put it back . sugar is not necessary or healthy for a hamster . hamsters do have a very high metabolism , which means they need to eat a lot to maintain their energy . however , it is possible to feed a hamster too much , especially if you just fill its bowl whenever it is empty . for most hamsters , a tablespoon of high - quality hamster food each day is enough . though a tablespoon of mixed food is enough , you also need to supplement your hamsters diet with a few treats each day to make sure it is getting all the necessary nutrients . for example , you could give your hamster a couple of greens and a floret of cauliflower , a small handful of raisins , or a couple of apple slices . remember that even though you might not see food in its bowl , your hamster may have stashed food around the cage for later . hamsters are hoarders . if you spread its food across the bottom of its cage instead of putting it in a bowl , a hamster might hoard more food than it needs because it constantly has to forage for it . on the other hand , if the food is kept in a bowl , the hamster will view this as its stash of food , so it wont feel the need to hoard so much food . keeping your hamsters food in a dish also offers a method for you to monitor how much it is eating . each day , you should remove any uneaten food and replace it with fresh food . you can put the old food outside for birds and squirrels to eat if you dont want to waste it . in the wild , a hamster might run several miles each night , and a hamster in captivity needs to have a way to exercise . not only is this important for its health , it is also important for its well - being . a hamster who doesnt have any stimulation could become depressed . if your hamster doesnt have much room to move around , it wont be able to burn many calories through exercise . remember that hamsters are quite active , and need space in order to be healthy . the bigger your hamsters cage or aquarium , the better . however , if you have limited space , you should try to get the biggest cage that your space allows . your hamster will live its life in that cage so the more space it has , the better . your hamsters cage should have a minimum of two square feet . if you cant afford the space to give your hamster a spacious cage , consider getting a taller cage . some hamster habitats will have two or three stories that allow your hamster to go up and down . you can also make a hamster playground for your hamster out of common household items . creating a hamster playground in addition to your hamsters normal cage will provide exercise and stimulation for your curious hamster . if you have more than one hamster , it is best to provide a wheel per hamster . the size wheel you need depends on your hamsters size , but generally , the bigger and wider , the better . opt for wheels that are made of a solid piece of wood or plastic rather than a metal wheel that has bars . in many cases , a hamster may break its legs with this type of wheel because its legs slip between the bars . make sure that the wheel is large enough so that the hamsters back does not have to flex backward too much while it is using the wheel . some wheels are created in a bowl shape to prevent this . as a general rule , a dwarf hamster will need a wheel at least 6 inches 15 cm in diameter . if you have a large breed hamster , the wheel should be at least 8 inches 20 cm in diameter . pay attention to how your hamster looks while using the wheel . a wheel is too small if it causes the hamster to scoop their back to run in it . a hamster ball is a hollow plastic ball that is designed to allow your hamster to run around without getting into things it shouldnt . this is a great way to get your hamster to exercise , and it is also very interesting for the hamster because it will be able to do a little bit of exploring in your home . for an adult syrian hamster , you will need a ball that is at least 8 inches 20 cm in diameter . if you have a dwarf hamster , you will probably need a smaller , lighter ball . look for one that is designed specifically for dwarf hamsters . you should never leave your hamster alone in its hamster ball to run around . you need to keep constant watch to make sure nothing goes wrong . dont allow the hamster to play in its ball if there are any pets present . this will be terrifying for the hamster if the pet tries to chase the hamster . block off any areas you dont want your hamster to get into . make sure that any stairs or ledges are blocked so your hamster doesnt fall off . limit your hamsters time in the ball to no more than once per day for 20 or 30 minutes . remember that a hamster cannot get to its water while in the ball , but as it runs around , it will become dehydrated . a veterinarian will be able to tell you how much your hamster should weigh based on the hamsters breed and age . in addition to that , having your hamster checked by the vet regularly will help you stay on top of your hamsters health . if your hamster has recently gained or lost a lot of weight for no obvious reason , your vet may be able to find an underlying cause . you need to change out your hamsters water each day , even if you dont think the water looks dirty , or if it has a water bottle . hamsters cannot survive without water for more than one or two days . water bottles can easily malfunction . checking your hamsters water every single day means you will notice if there is a problem before your hamster becomes severely dehydrated . you may not realize that a hamsters teeth grow continuously . in the wild , a hamster will grind its teeth down on hard objects to keep them from becoming overgrown . unfortunately , many hamsters kept as pets do not have access to something that it can use to grind its teeth on . though you can trim your hamsters teeth yourself , its best to have a vet show you how to do this properly before attempting it on your own . this is one more reason to have your hamster checked by a vet regularly . if your vet notices an overgrown tooth , a broken tooth , or a crooked tooth they can help you take care of the situation before it causes any bigger problems . you can offer apple wood or hard dog treats to your hamster so it has something hard to gnaw on .

observe your hamsters behavior . monitor how much your hamster eats and drinks . take your hamster to your veterinarian . talk to your veterinarian . decide if euthanizing is best for you or for your hamster . schedule an appointment with your veterinarian . decide to bury or cremate your hamster . spend extra time with your hamster . allow your veterinarian to euthanize your hamster . give yourself time to grieve . contact local pet loss support groups . encourage your children to express their feelings . decide when to get another pet .

how to euthanize a sick hamster

emotions can make it very difficult to decide whether to euthanize a pet , even when the pet is very sick . to make the decision process a little easier , look objectively at your hamsters behavior . for example , watch how he walks—if his back is arched or he is unsteady on his feet , he could be feeling extremely sick . hamsters love to run and play . if your hamster stays hunched over in a corner of his cage , he is very uncomfortable and likely very sick . make a list of several activities your hamster loves to do e . g . run in his hamster wheel , gnaw on chew toys , etc . if he no longer does those things , his quality of life has worsened , making euthanasia a reasonable option . track his good days and bad days in a journal . when he starts having more bad days and good days , it is time to start considering euthanasia . when your hamster becomes so sick that he is no longer eating or drinking , he is letting you know that he is feeling pretty miserable . not eating or drinking for as little as 24 hours can be very serious in hamsters . talk to your veterinarian about euthanizing your hamster if it has been at least one day since your hamster ate or drank anything . your veterinarian cannot make the decision to euthanize for you , but he or she can guide you through the decision process . one way your veterinarian can do this is to accurately diagnose your hamster . when you know the details of your hamsters sickness , and his prognosis , you can make a clearer decision on whether to euthanize him . geriatric diseases in hamsters e . g . liver failure , kidney failure , cancer are those that occur after 18 months of age . they have no cure and can worsen a hamsters quality of life . euthanasia is a reasonable option for hamsters with geriatric diseases . if your hamster has a geriatric disease , keep him as comfortable as possible until life has become too unbearable to him . this includes keeping him in a quiet area and handling him as little as possible . discuss treatment options , if any , with your veterinarian . be aware that your hamster could be so sick that he would not be able to tolerate intense veterinary care . do not let your hamster suffer through treatment if it will not bring him better quality of life . you will probably have a lot of questions and concerns about euthanasia . during your appointment , discuss your hamsters sickness and the possibility of euthanasia . ask your veterinarian questions about the euthanasia process , as well as options for cremating or burying your hamster . consider asking your veterinarian if he or she thinks euthanasia is right for your hamster . no matter how your veterinarian answers , remember that only you can make the decision to euthanize your hamster . ask your veterinarian if he or she performs at - home euthanasias . be mindful that not all veterinarians will do this . if you have children , discuss the best way to tell them about euthanasia . children do not always understand end - of - life issues , so you will have to be careful about explaining how ending a pets life can be humane . ask your veterinarian about local pet loss support groups . ask as many questions as you can think of , and express any concerns you may have . although euthanasia is a difficult topic , your veterinarian understands this difficulty and can help you talk things through . as if the euthanasia decision was not difficult enough , you should know whether you are considering your hamsters wellbeing or your own . you may feel unsure , or maybe even a little guilty , but your hamsters wellbeing should come first . if you are delaying the decision , ask yourself if its because you are not ready to let your hamster go . be aware that delaying your decision could be prolonging your hamsters suffering . when you make the appointment , indicate what time of day and what day of the week will work for you . to be sensitive to a pet owners needs , veterinarians will typically schedule a euthanasia at the end of the day , when there are no other appointments . the day of the week will also be important . you may want to schedule the euthanasia for the end of the week , when you will have the weekend to process what happened and start the grieving process . if you know the euthanasia will be hard for you , bring someone with you to the appointment . check with them before making the appointment to make sure they will be available . check with your local health department about home burials for pets . local laws may not allow pet owners to bury their pets in their yards . if you live in an apartment , or in the heart of a city , it is unlikely that you will be able to bury your hamster . your veterinarian can recommend professional pet burial or crematory services . contact them before your appointment so those arrangements can already be in place . your veterinarian may also work with a pet burial or cremation service . your hamster may be very sick , but he will probably appreciate you spending time with him in his final days . although you may feel sad , or maybe even guilty about having him euthanized , do your best to remain calm around him . he could pick up on whatever you are feeling , so stay as positive as possible . no matter how much you have prepared yourself for putting your hamster to sleep , the actual act of having your hamster euthanized may be difficult for you . your veterinarian will make sure the euthanasia will be quick , painless , and peaceful for your hamster . your veterinarian will most likely administer a lethal injection into your hamsters belly and your hamster will pass away as a result . your veterinarian will check your hamster for a pulse to ensure that he has passed away . it is your decision whether you want to be in the room for the euthanasia . some pet owners cannot bear the thought of seeing their pet euthanized , and others want to be close to their beloved pet until the very end . it is also your choice in how to say goodbye to your hamster . you may want to say a few things to him before and after he has passed on . it is up to you . although small in size , your hamster probably meant a lot to you . acknowledge your grief and give yourself time to process the loss . theres no timetable for grieving—it may take you a few days , maybe longer . consider writing your feelings down if youre having trouble processing your thoughts . pet loss support groups help pet owners manage the grief of losing a pet . many veterinary schools have pet loss hotlines that you can contact . your veterinarian , or even other pet owners , can recommend some local pet loss support groups that you can contact . the staff at your local humane society may also be able to recommend pet loss support groups . children can have a hard time dealing with the death of a pet . if you have children , encourage them to talk about how they feel about your hamsters death . do not buy another pet for your children to make them feel better . give them time to express how they feel about your hamsters death before bringing a new pet into the home . you may be the type of person who does not grieve for long over the loss of a pet . or , you might need a long time before you are ready to even think about getting another hamster or another type of pet . do not feel the need to rush into buying another pet . remember that a new pet is not a replacement for your hamster . you will know when the time is right for you to get another pet .

pinch your hamsters skin . look at your hamsters body . observe your hamsters behavior . rehydrate your hamster . take your hamster to your veterinarian . feed your hamster fresh produce . keep your hamsters water bottle full . feed your hamster a balanced diet . dont let your hamster overheat .

how to diagnose and treat a dehydrated hamster

one of the easiest ways to tell if your hamster is dehydrated is to do the ‘skin tent test . using the thumb and index finger of one hand , gently pinch some skin at the base of your hamsters neck to create a ‘tent of skin . let go of the skin . if it stays up in a tent , then your hamster is dehydrated . if your hamster was well hydrated , then the skin would flatten back out as soon as you let your fingers go . when your hamster is dehydrated , hes not going to look too good . for example , his eyes will appear droopy , sunken in , and dry . his fur will also look ruffled and unkempt because he isnt grooming himself like he used to . overall , your hamsters body may look thinner . if your hamster is severely hydrated , his tongue may swell . your hamster will groom less when he is dehydrated , leading to the ruffled coat . he will probably move more slowly as well , since he isnt feeling well and just doesnt have energy to run around like he used to . your hamster might even become irritable and seem confused in his cage . when your hamster is dehydrated , he will also urinate less . the urine that he does produce will be very concentrated dark color and have a strong odor . these symptoms are not necessarily specific to dehydration , but are clear clues that your hamster is sick and needs treatment . dehydration in hamsters is very serious , so you should not delay in getting your hamster to your veterinarian . however , if you cannot get him to the vet right away , start rehydrating him at home to get him on the road to recovery . you will administer fluids by mouth with a syringe , which is available at your local pharmacy . rehydration by mouth is recommended when the dehydration is caused by diarrhea . the best type of rehydration fluid for your hamster is one that contains salts and sugars e . g . lectade , unflavored pedialyte . rehydration products are available at your local pharmacy and grocery store . plain water is not recommended because it would dilute the already - reduced amount of minerals , salts , and sugars in your hamsters body . if you cant go to the store , you can add a pinch of salt and sugar to plain water and give that to your hamster . however , it would be best to purchase a rehydration solution that already has the proper mix of salts and sugars . draw up the fluid in the syringe preferably a 10 milliliter syringe . wrap your hamster snugly in a towel with one hand . with your other hand , place the syringe just inside his mouth on one side and empty the syringes contents drop by drop . make sure that you give your hamster a chance to swallow the fluid in between drops . never force fluid into your hamster because there is a risk that you will force fluid into his lungs , which is likely to be fatal . your veterinarian will be able to give your hamster more advanced dehydration treatment . other than commercially available rehydration products , your veterinarian will also have other fluids available , such as 0 . 9 saline or lactated ringers solution , to rehydrate your hamster . your veterinarian will assess how severe your hamsters dehydration is before administering fluids . this will help him or her calculate how much fluid to administer to adequately rehydrate , but not over hydrate your hamster . your veterinarian will probably try to give your hamster fluids by mouth first . if your hamster cannot drink on his own , your veterinarian will inject the fluids under your hamsters skin ‘subcutaneous injection using a sterile needle . if an underlying health condition e . g . wet tail , diabetes has caused the dehydration , your veterinarian will treat that condition as well . fresh produce with a high water content can also help your hamster if diarrhea is not the cause of his dehydration . cucumber is a good vegetable that you can give him . apples also have a high water content . consult with your veterinarian before giving your hamster fresh produce to treat the dehydration—introducing fresh produce to your hamsters diet too suddenly can give him diarrhea , which would make his dehydration worse . hamsters commonly become dehydrated when their owners forget to refill their water bottles . do not forget about your little hamster keep a close eye on his water bottle and refill it with fresh , clean water as necessary . a constant supply of fresh , clean water is essential to keeping your hamster well hydrated . check the ball bearing in your hamsters water bottle to make sure it is working properly . if the ball somehow gets stuck , it could prevent your hamster from being able to sip the water from the bottles spout . keeping your hamster healthy with a well - balanced diet will go a long way towards preventing dehydration . components of a healthy hamster diet are a commercially available hamster mix , a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables , and a few sweet treats now and then . baked chicken , low fat cottage cheese , and plain low - fat yogurt are also good choices for your hamsters diet . they are high in protein , which is an important nutrient for hamsters . foods you should not feed your hamster include onions , tomato leaves , and raw potatoes . other foods to avoid feeding your hamster are chocolate , junk food , and watermelon . talk with your veterinarian if you are unsure what types of food to feed your hamster . heat stroke mild or severe is another common cause of dehydration in hamsters . unfortunately , heat stroke can happen very quickly in hamsters , so you must be diligent about keeping your hamster cool , especially in the summer months . keep his cage out of the path of direct sunlight . the room where you keep his cage should be well ventilated . if you are traveling with him in the car , make sure his cage is not by a sunny window . check on him frequently . if he starts to suffer from heatstroke saliva dribbling from mouth , heavy breathing , lying on side , move his cage to a cool location , take him out of his cage , and run cool water over him to cool him down . dry him off and let him recover quietly in his cage . start rehydrating your hamster with pedialyte or water , if thats all you have . get him to a veterinarian as quickly as you can for further treatment .

have a vet diagnose a mite infestation as soon as possible . follow your vets recommendation regarding treatment . keep any hamsters undergoing treatment in a temporary cage .

how to get rid of mites in your hamsters cage 1

hamsters often have a few mites hitching a ride , and they can easily be eliminated if they become an issue . however , stress , malnutrition , or advanced age may lead to a weakened immune system and less resistance to mites . if youre hamster starts scratching heavily or has visible patches of irritation , balding or redness , take them to the vet and ask them to examine your hamster for mites . recognize the possible signs of a mite infestations – especially irritated patches of skin – and get them to the vet quickly . another sign to watch for is your hamster rubbing itself against the sides of its cage . depending on the type of mites involved , your vet may recommend a selenium sulfide shampoo or other topical treatment to kill the mites . with other types of mites , your vet may prescribe a medication such as ivermectin . follow your vets directions about any specific treatment regimen . the only way you or your vet can be certain about a particular mite infestation is by taking a small scraping of your hamsters skin and examining it under a microscope . more specifically , do not return your hamsters to their cage before cleaning the cage first . the cage may still contain mites and mite eggs that will quickly infect your hamster again . further , if you have other hamsters , consider ensuring that they are not infested by taking them to the vet as well . if you do not have one , get a ball in which your hamster can roll about while youre cleaning its cage , etc .

remove all of the used bedding and throw it away . clean literally everything that will go back into the cage . clean all the surfaces inside the cage with antibacterial soap . disinfect the cage with isopropyl alcohol rubbing alcohol . replace food , water , and any worn toys . clean the hamsters cage once a week .

how to get rid of mites in your hamsters cage 2

the most likely culprit of uncleanliness in your hamsters cage – and the location where more mites are likely living – is the old bedding . when setting out to clean the cage , your first step should be removing all of the bedding and disposing of it in an outdoor trash receptacle . take everything out of the cage and take it all apart . remove the lid , any feeding dishes or water bottles , and all toys , tubes , ladders , or other furnishings . anything plastic or metal should be washed with antibacterial soap and warm water , and then thoroughly rinsed and allowed to fully dry . opt for an unscented antibacterial soap , as aromas are likely to persist and bother your hamster . wash any food or water equipment in the same way . be sure to rinse food and water equipment an extra time you do not want soap residue getting into anything your hamster will consume . be diligent in cleaning every single spot in the cage . for instance , your hamster likely urinates and defecates in a particular location . pay extra attention when cleaning this area . wash everything with antibacterial soap and warm water , then rinse it and allow it to fully dry . ensure the cage does not still smell of soap , and rinse it again if necessary . following a mite infestation , youll need a second cleaning to disinfect all of the surfaces of your hamsters dwelling . rub rubbing alcohol on any surface of the cage or plastic or metal climbing structures , and dry the surfaces with a clean paper towel . take care to avoid applying rubbing alcohol to any food or water equipment . you should replace anything you were unable to clean . wooden toys in particular should be replaced frequently . further , make sure a water bottle is not leaking after it is re - installed . finally , make sure all the fastening components of the cage and any structures are also secure . mites can be prevented from returning by maintaining a clean living environment for your hamster that will prevent your hamster from becoming stressed . relatedly , be sure you are providing ample high quality food for your hamster , as proper nutrition also decreases the likelihood of a mite infestation . for more specific information regarding your hamsters dietary needs , see the wikihow article on how to feed hamsters .

refill your hamsters habitat with aspen shavings . consider other types of bedding . use shredded paper temporarily . freeze new bedding before refilling the habitat . avoid certain types of widely - available hamster bedding .

how to get rid of mites in your hamsters cage 3

aspen shavings make one of the safest and most natural forms of bedding . they also make for the best form of bedding following a mite infestation . make sure you acquire aspen shavings from a pet supplies store or website , as it will have been specifically treated keep mites away . unfortunately , aspen shavings do have one drawback they are not quite as absorbent as some other manufactured options . your hamsters cage may develop an unpleasant aroma more quickly with aspen shaving bedding than with another option – however , this may be a good things , if it prompts you to clean the habitat more often . your choice of bedding should account for several factors . namely , choose a bedding that does not pose a risk to your hamsters health or safety . there are several other good options that satisfy these criteria . in particular , considercarefresh ultra or carefresh colors . carefresh hamster bedding is soft , safe , and free of scented chemicals . it is made from cellulose fiber , which helps it absorb a considerable amount of moisture – a vital feature for hamster bedding . while most colored bedding is not recommended , carefresh colors uses a safe dye that will not harm your hamster . kaytee clean cozy unscented . this is a plant - based paper bedding that excels in absorption and odor control . avoid the scented options some hamsters can suffer from breathing complications when exposed to scented bedding . if you have ordered bedding and are waiting for it to arrive , or want to temporarily house one of your hamsters away from the others , you may use finely shredded paper as bedding . make sure the paper is both non - toxic and free of any inks . accordingly , do not use newspaper . do not attempt to use paper as a continual source of bedding , as it will do an extremely poor job with absorption and aroma control . whatever you use , you should take one final measure to ensure it is entirely free of mites or any other critters that may harm your hamster . to do so , place the bedding youll use in a new ziploc bag and place it in the freezer for at least 48 hours . allow the bedding to return to room temperature without the application of artificial heat . simply leave it on the counter in the bag . add it to your hamsters habitat once it has returned to room temp . believe it or not , there are several types of hamster bedding that are commonly sold , but that may actually harm your hamster . in particular , avoid pine and cedar shavings , and these may splinter into sharp , potentially injurious pieces . further , these materials may give off toxic fumes when exposed to your hamsters urine . finally , avoid fluffy bedding , which is made from artificial fibers that your hamster may not be able to safely digest , as well as cat litter , which is also dangerous for hamsters to eat .

know the signs . watch for movement . check for signs of breathing . feel for body warmth . try body heat . warm your hamster with a hot water bottle . use a heating pad . give your hamster warm milk . make sure your hamster always has enough food and water . provide plenty of warm bedding . give your hamster a more fattening diet . be proactive during the winter .

how to get a hamster out of hibernation

sometimes it can be hard to tell if your hamster is simply hibernating or if it has actually died . hamsters in a hibernating state appear still and lifeless their breathing and heart rate slow down . they even might go weeks without eating . and with such tiny bodies , it can often be difficult to notice the subtle signs of life in a hibernating hamster . during true hibernation , hamsters will move very little . but sometimes they can enter a sleep phase of minor hibernation in which they often tremble or nod their head from side to side . noticing these kinds of movements is a good indication that your hamster is just hibernating . during hibernation , your hamsters breathing will be slower than usual , but not altogether absent . hold your hamster in your hand and listen closely for breathing sounds . you can also put your finger near their mouth to see if you can detect any exhale breaths . a hibernating hamster will maintain a warm body temperature though it might be slightly cooler than usual . a hamster that is truly dead will lose its body heat completely , so a warm hamster is probably a hibernating hamster . pick your hamster up and hold it in your hand against your body . use your body heat to provide warmth for your hamster . keep holding it for at least 30 minutes and see if there are any changes in their behavior or if they start acting more alert . wrap your hamster in a towel with a water bottle full of hot water . make sure the hamster is not directly touching the water bottle and doesnt get too hot . this will help warm his body and bring him out of hibernation . try placing your hamster on a warm heating pad that is heated to about 90̊ fahrenheit for 30 - 60 minutes . this will help your pet warm up quickly and help them come out of their state of hibernation . if you dont have a heating pad , try putting your hamster on a towel on top of a radiator . this will have the same effect . just make sure you monitor your pet closely and make sure the heat isnt too much for it to handle . once your hamster starts becoming more alert , even if only slightly alert , try to give it warm milk through a medicine dropper . you should heat the milk up in the microwave or on the stove but test it first to make sure it is not too hot . it should be tolerable to the touch . feed it to your hamster in a bowl or in their water dropper container . alternatively , you can try to give your hamster plain water , water with sugar , or childrens pedialyte with a medicine dropper . anything you can do to get them to ingest water is good . rehydration will help your hamster come out of its hibernation state . sometimes hibernation is triggered by a lack of food or water in order to conserve energy . to avoid sending your hamster into hibernation , ensure that it always has access to plenty of food and water . the bedding in your hamsters cage will help insulate it and protect it from the cold . make sure your hamster has sufficient bedding to stave off hibernation . if your hamster starts hibernating , try adding more bedding to prevent this from happening again . having more body fat will help prevent your hamster from going into hibernation mode . try feeding your hamster more fattening food items like sunflower seeds , peanuts , or avocado . however , be sparing with the fatty foods because a little goes a long way with tiny hamsters . during the cold winter months , be more mindful of your hamsters behavior and if it seems warm enough . maybe give your hamster some extra bedding in its cage during the winter and provide more fatty foods than normal . keep an eye on your pet to make sure it stays safe and alert during the cold season .

pick the right cage . clean the cage regularly . choose the right bedding . encourage exercise .

how to keep a hamster healthy 1

for starters , you want to make sure you get your hamster the right type of cage . hamsters require spacious cages . your cage should be , at minimum , 12 inches wide by 12 inches high by 18 inches long . however , bigger is usually better . if you have more than one hamster , or a larger type of hamster , invest in a larger cage . hamsters catch colds easily . therefore , place your hamsters cage in a warm area of your home away from doors or windows that cause drafts . pick a safe and stable place to keep the cage where its unlikely to get accidentally knocked over or disturbed . hamster cages usually come with either plastic or wire bars . however , hamsters are known to chew so keep an eye on the cages bars to make sure your hamster is not wearing them down . if he escapes , he could get into an accident . you can also get aquarium style cages if your hamster has a habit of chewing through bars . if you go this route , make sure to keep your cage out of direct sunlight . aquariums heat up easily . you should clean your hamsters cage on a weekly basis . an unclean cage can cause a build - up of bacteria , resulting in illness . to start , place a few handfuls of bedding in a pet carrier , cardboard box , or other hamster - safe container . secure your hamster here during the cleaning process . you might also want to add some water and food in case your hamster gets hungry or bored during the process . throw away all the bedding and droppings . any toys made of disposable materials like cardboard should also be thrown away . you can wash other toys and your hamsters food and water bowls in warm water and mild dish soap . take a sponge and scrub down your hamsters cage with mild dish soap or a disinfectant spray . get everywhere , including the bars or sides of a cage . remember to rinse thoroughly when youre done . hamsters chew so you want to make sure all soap or disinfectant is removed . dry the cage and add a layer of fresh bedding . replace any cardboard toys or accessories . place the washed toys , food bowl , and water bottle back in the cage . now , you can safely return your hamster to his cage . make sure you choose quality bedding for your hamster . cedar bedding should be avoided , as it can cause skin irritation for some hamsters . you can find bedding safe for your hamster online or at a local pet store . never use pine bedding , scented bedding , fluffy bedding , newspaper , cat litter , or corn cob as bedding . these can be harmful to some hamsters . if youre using a litter box for your hamster , make sure the substance you use in the litter box is completely different from his bedding . for example , if youre using a wood - based bedding do not use a wood - based litter . this will discourage your hamster from using his litter box . hamsters are naturally active and need a lot of exercise for their health . make sure you provide your hamster with a wheel and toys . this way , he can stay active in his cage . a lack of exercise can cause digestive problems and weight gain . make sure your hamster has a wheel . even a big cage does not provide your hamster a lot of room to run around . therefore , a wheel is essential . you could also invest in a hamster ball , which is a sealable plastic ball you can place your hamster in . this way , he can run around outside his cage . you should also provide a lot of toys . plastic tubes and ladders encourage your hamster to climb and explore . small plush toys and blocks for chewing on can also be fun for your hamster .

dont expect your hamster to have human - like vision . be aware of changes in behavior . recognize the symptoms of cataracts . recognize the symptoms of conjunctivitis . recognize the symptoms of exophthalmos . recognize the symptoms of glaucoma . bring your hamster to the vet . dont worry too much . dont be surprised by behavioral changes . make accommodations as necessary .

how to determine if your hamster is blind

hamsters are naturally very near - sighted . whereas humans rely primarily on their sense of sight to get around the world , hamsters rely much more on smell and hearing . just because your hamster doesnt seem to be able to see like a human does not mean anything is wrong . although it may be difficult to diagnose with any certainty , excessive clumsiness may be a sign that your hamster is going blind . take notice is he starts walking into things or falling off of things . if your hamsters eyes look milky , this is a sign of cataracts . cataracts usually occur in older hamsters , and they can lead to total blindness . there is no treatment available for cataracts in hamsters , but the condition doesnt cause them any pain . if your hamsters eyes seem inflamed or his eyelids are stuck together with a crusty discharge , he may be suffering from a condition called conjunctivitis , but he is most likely not blind . this condition has a variety of causes , including bacterial infection or irritation from a foreign object . you can attempt to loosen your hamsters eyelids by wiping the discharge away with a clean , moist cotton ball . if your hamsters symptoms continue , you should take him to the vet . he may need to have his eyes flushed with saline , or he may need antibiotics . if your hamsters eyeball seems to be protruding from the socket more than usual , he may be suffering from a condition called exophthalmos , also known as proptosis . this is a serious condition that can cause your hamster to lose his eye . other symptoms include an enlarged eyeball , redness , and watery discharge . this condition requires immediate veterinary care just like humans , hamsters can develop glaucoma , which eventually leads to blindness . if you hamster has glaucoma , you may notice that he has a strong aversion to light or that his eyes bulge a bit . if you notice these symptoms , take your hamster to the vet . without treatment , glaucoma can be very painful . some hamsters can be treated with medications , while others may need to have their eyes surgically removed . you should always bring your hamster to the vet if you believe there is anything wrong with his eyes . if it turns out the be something like a cataract , your vet will not be able to offer any treatment , but if it turns out to be an infection of the eye , treatment is available . if your hamster is blind or is losing his sight , theres not much you can do about it . it may be helpful to know , however , that most hamsters can still live perfectly normal , happy lives even without their vision . because hamsters have poor vision to start with , they dont rely on it much to get them through their daily lives . some hamsters may become more skittish or irritable when they become blind , so dont be too alarmed if you notice these behaviors in your hamster . although most hamsters will do just fine without their eyesight , some may have a harder time adjusting . if you notice that your hamster is becoming very clumsy , take care to remove anything from the cage that might cause injury .

ask yourself if the stillness is unexpected . consider how old your hamster is . consider the ambient temperature . assess your hamsters access to food and light .

how to cure your not moving hamster 1

did your hamster seem ill recently clues to this might be that it stopped eating or lost its appetite , it was drinking more than usual and you were having to clean out wet bedding more frequently , it smelled bad , it had lost a lot of weight , or its habits had changed radically , for example it had stopped playing on its wheel . these are all indicators of ill health and could indicate your hamster has died . on the other hand , if the hamster seemed perfectly healthy before hand and this stillness is unexpected , it doesnt rule out death but it makes hibernation more likely . how old is the hamster an average lifespan is 18 - 24 months , with the odd hamster making it to 36 months . if your hamster is older than this , then it was very elderly , and the chances of it having passed away increase . hibernation is temperature dependent . if the air temperature where the hamster was kept is above 20°c then hibernation is not very likely . on a hot day , consider if the hamsters cage is near an air conditioning unit . air conditioners can kick out extremely cold air , which could cause your hamster to go into hibernation , so dont discount a low air temperature even in sweltering weather . hibernation tends to happen at times when it would be difficult for the hamster to find enough resources to survive . these tend to be associated with harsh winters , when there are low temperatures , short day lengths , and a lack of food . ask yourself if the hamster has more than 8 - 12 hours of daylight a day and has plenty of food . scarcity of food teamed with low temperature and short day length could trigger hibernation .

pick quality hamster food . add fruits and veggies . provide other table foods . consider dietary supplements .

how to keep a hamster healthy 2

your hamsters diet is a major factor in his overall health . make sure you choose the right food source for your hamster . you can buy hamster pellets or mixtures of dried seeds and nuts at your local pet store . these are specifically created for hamster consumption so they include the minerals and nutrients necessary for your hamsters wellbeing . ask your vet how much your hamster should eat each day . hamsters come in different shapes and sizes and therefore have different dietary needs . just make sure you put out new food regularly . stale food can cause digestive problems . it is not advised that you give your hamster wet food unless a vet recommends it . wet food is usually given to hamsters who are sick or who have digestive problems . hamsters crave variety in their diet . supplementing store - bought food with a variety of fresh fruits and veggies is great for your hamsters overall health . for veggies , try carrots , squash , cauliflower , broccoli , zucchini , romaine lettuce , spinach and other leafy greens . for fruits , go for apples , pears , bananas , grapes , and a variety of berries . rinse produce under cool , running water before giving it to your hamster . hamsters also enjoy other table foods . in moderation , its okay for hamsters to have things like bread , yogurt , seeds , and nuts . however , do not overfeed your hamster . hamsters tend to go for saltier , fattier snacks before healthier options . if your hamsters eats all his sunflower seeds and doesnt touch his strawberries , do not respond by providing him with more seeds . a balanced diet with a variety of foods is best for your hamsters diet , so he needs to learn to eat all his snacks . if your hamster is a picky eater , you might want to consider offering him nutritional or dietary supplements . you can easily crush supplements and sprinkle them over your hamsters food . however , check with your vet beforehand . you want to make sure this is safe for your hamster and that youre going with a reputable brand .

check your hamsters nose and eyes . keep an eye on his skin and fur . check his bottom . feel for lumps or bumps . make sure your hamsters weight stays stable . pay attention to water consumption .

how to keep a hamster healthy 3

if you want to keep your hamster healthy , youll need to periodically make sure hes not showing signs of illness . as hamsters are prone to colds and infections , check his nose and eyes on a weekly basis . check your hamsters nose . if its wet or you notice running or discharge , he may have a cold . you should monitor his symptoms for a few days and take him to the vet if he does not improve . hamsters can catch colds from humans , so avoid handling your hamster if youve been sick . a hamsters eyes should be clean and clear . unusual discharge or reddish eyes can be a sign of infection . certain breeds of hamsters , like winter whites , get eye infections easily . you should not wait out an eye infection as infections often require antibiotics . take your hamster to a vet if you notice anything wrong with his eyes . if your hamster is having nose and eye irritation and medical causes have been ruled out , he may be allergic to something in his cage . remove any new items , like new toys or accessories , and see if symptoms improve . you may also want to try a different bedding or litter . older hamsters may have bald patches or thinning fur . however , if your hamster is younger his skin and fur should be free of bald patches , scaling , rashes , and scabs . unexpected hair loss or skin changes should be evaluated by a veterinarian . skin and hair changes can be the result of something benign , like mites or fleas . however , it can sometimes be a sign of a chronic condition like cushings disease . this is why veterinarian evaluation is so important . if skin and fur changes are the result of a serious condition , the sooner you get it checked out the better . if your hamster is experiencing digestive problems , you can tell by examining his rear end . loose stools , staining , or a wet tail can be an indication of diarrhea . such ailments should be evaluated by a veterinarian . your hamster may need a change in diet or he may have an infection or illness that requires medication . stress can also trigger diarrhea in hamsters . if there have been any recent changes to your home , your hamster may experience diarrhea . if you have a female hamster , an infection of the womb called pyometra can be detected by examining the rear end . if you notice any discharge or a foul smell from the opening above the anus , take your hamster to the vet for evaluation . you should also periodically pick up your hamster and gently feel for any lumps and bumps . hamsters are prone to cysts , most of which are benign . however , in rare cases a cyst could be a sign of cancer . in the event a lump is cancerous , the sooner its treated the better . any new or growing lumps should be evaluated by a vet . some hamsters have scent glands on the top of their hips . theyre often mistaken for rashes or lumps but are in fact a normal part of your hamsters anatomy . a hamsters weight should remain relatively stable . if your hamster is gaining or losing weight inexplicably , youll need to take him to the vet . hamsters tend to gain weight steadily until theyre around 6 months old . after reaching the age of 18 months , hamsters will lose weight each month . between 6 months and 18 months , your hamsters weight should remain stable . weight loss or weight gain can be caused by a medical condition or your hamsters diet . take your hamster to a vet for evaluation if you notice any changes in his weight . keep track of how much your hamster usually drinks on a day - to - day basis . for example , know roughly how often you refill his water bowl . hamsters can develop diabetes and one of the early warning signs is an increase in water consumption . if your hamster is suddenly drinking more water , take him to the vet and have him tested for diabetes .

trim teeth and nails regularly . take precautions when introducing a new hamster . get the right wheel . supervise your hamster when you let him out of his cage .

how to keep a hamster healthy 4

a hamsters teeth and nails do not stop growing . this is why hamsters need chews and sand to keep their teeth and nails filed down . occasionally , you may need to have your hamsters teeth or nails trimmed if they become overgrown . unless youre professionally trained , its best to take your hamster into the vet when he needs a trim . you want to make sure the procedure is done safely and your hamster is not hurt in the process . hamsters are not always friendly to new pets . if youre going to introduce a second hamster , do so when your current hamster is still young . also , do not place a male and female in the same cage unless you want them to breed . hamsters are very fertile and a female can give birth to 3 to 18 babies every 30 days . if you do add a new hamster , you should spend several days introducing them . keep your hamsters in separate cages where they can see each other for a few days . when you do place them in the same cage , keep an eye on them to make sure theres no fighting . you might want to wear protective gloves during the introduction . in the event of a fight , you may have to separate the hamsters . as stated , a wheel is an essential part of your hamsters health . however , you want to make sure your hamsters wheel is big enough for safe use . small wheels can cause back problems from your hamster bending his back to fit the wheel . if you have a larger hamster , go for a bigger sized wheel . at minimum , look for a wheel of at least 6 . 5 inches . certain types of hamster , like syrian hamsters , tend to grow very big . in this case , you should get a wheel thats at lest 8 inches . you should never let your hamster out of his cage unsupervised . if you use a hamster ball or similar device , only allow your hamster to roam in it when youre watching . accidents and mishaps can occur , resulting in injury and even death . your hamster should never be allow to roam the house without supervision .

watch your hamster to see if its breathing . try to detect a heartbeat . ignore body heat as an indicator between hibernation and death . check the hamsters body for stiffness .

how to cure your not moving hamster 2

if hibernation is a possibility , watch your hamster very closely for several minutes . look for signs of breathing . be aware that the whole of the hamsters body systems slow down , so the breathing rate can become as slow as one breath every two minutes . watch the hamster for more than two minutes because its possible to blink and miss that one breath . if you watch for just two minutes , and you could wrongly assume the hamster is dead . if you dont see the hamster breathing then feel for a heartbeat . the heart rate of a hamster can slow down significantly . it can be just four beats a minute , or one beat every 15 seconds . it can be difficult to find a hamsters heart beat because they are so tiny . to do this use your forefinger and thumb of one hand and place them on either side of the hamster chest just behind its elbows . apply gentle pressure , sufficient that you could hold the hamster this way to stop it running away but without hurting it . wait patiently and feel for a heartbeat against your finger tips . dont worry it the hamster feels cold . this doesnt automatically mean its dead . the hibernation process is triggered by chilling and its body temperature will drop to match the environment . one difference that indicates death is rigor mortis . if the hamster feels stiff and hard like board , then he may have rigor mortis , which is a sign of death .

put a hamster that you suspect is hibernating in a warm room . warm the hamster up , relatively rapidly . remember that hibernation is a natural process . remember that hamsters have relatively short lives . prevent the hamster from hibernating in the future .

how to cure your not moving hamster 3

the room temperature should be around 20°c . wait for 2 - 3 days . if the hamster is merely hibernating it should wake within that period . if it doesnt wake up , then more obvious signs of death should occur such as an unpleasant odor and rigor mortis . a hibernating hamster should not smell unpleasant . experts advocate this as the preferred option of waking a hamster because it closer simulates the natural waking process and places less strain on the bodys blood glucose reserves than a rapid reboot . make sure plenty of food and water is available for the waking 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 . remember to keep the hamster in a secure container , because if it is just in a cardboard box it may wake and chew its way out another idea is to stand the cage on a hot water bottle to radiate heat up through the floor of the cage . ensure the hamster has food and water , because it will use up valuable energy reserves to wake up , and these need to be rapidly replaced or the hamster could suffer liver damage . if your hamster was hibernating , be aware this is a natural process , from which it recovered . unless you are concerned , if the hamster is back to hits usual self - eating , grooming , and running in its wheel - there is no specific need to get it checked by a veterinarian . if none of your attempts help to wake the hamster up , it has probably passed away . remember that hamsters generally have very short lives and their time might unfortunately be up . eliminate all other possibilities first , but then you may need to accept that your hamster has died . so that you dont have to suffer this anxiety and worry again , make sure the hamster is always in a room above 20°c , that he has 12 hours light a day , and plenty of food and water . that way his body never thinks he has to conserve energy and hibernate .

check your hamsters eyes and nose . watch and listen to your hamster breathe . detect sneezing . look at your hamsters hair coat . observe your hamsters body condition . look for shaking and shivering . determine if your hamster is eating less . take note of decreased activity . watch for grumpiness . take your hamster to your vet . have your vet examine your hamster . answer your vets questions . allow your vet to identify the ‘culprit organism . have your vet take x - rays of your hamster .

how to diagnose hamster respiratory illnesses

respiratory illnesses can cause a variety of symptoms in hamsters . for example , a hamster with respiratory problems may have a thick , mucus - like discharge coming from their eyes and nose . the discharge is opaque or yellow . if your hamster has a respiratory illness , its eyes and nose may also look red . respiratory illnesses make breathing difficult for hamsters . your hamster may wheeze when it breathes , causing its chest to visibly widen and contract with each breath . you may be able to hear the wheezing , along with possible rattling or crackling noises , when your hamster breathes . if your hamster has a respiratory illness , it may start sneezing . when your hamster sneezes , you may see discharge come out of its nose . a healthy hamster has a shiny hair coat . a hamster with a respiratory illness , though , will have a dull hair coat . if your hamster is sick , its hair coat will lose its natural , healthy sheen . in general , hamsters with respiratory illnesses dont look so good . the sickness will cause your hamster to eat less , leading to weight loss . if your hamster has a respiratory illness , it will look thinner than usual . hamsters with respiratory illnesses can start to shake and shiver . this may be because theyre feeling cold . a respiratory illness can make your hamster feel so sick that it doesnt want to eat much anymore . if youre concerned that your hamster has lost its appetite , measure the amount of food you feed it each day . at the end of the day , measure the amount of food left over in the cage . remember that hamsters tend to hoard food in their cages . if your hamster is showing other signs of respiratory illness , though , you may see leftover food in the cage because your hamster feels sick and doesnt want to eat—not because its hoarding the food . healthy hamsters are very playful and active . if your hamster is sick , though , it wont feel playful . instead , it may want to stay curled up in its bedding and not move around very much . decreased activity may be the first sign of respiratory illness that you see . if your hamster looks sick and stays in its bedding , do not try to force it out to play . sick hamsters can become quite grumpy . for example , if you try to handle your hamster when it is sick , it may bite you . if your hamster seems more nippy than usual , leave it alone in its cage . respiratory illnesses can make hamsters very sick , very quickly . because hamsters are so small , invading bacteria or viruses can quickly overwhelm a hamsters immune system . what starts as a little cold can turn into a serious case of pneumonia . when you recognize the signs of respiratory illness in your hamster , call your vet right away to make an appointment . when you bring your hamster to your vet , they will observe your hamster in its cage first . then , they will examine your hamster from head to toe and listen to its heart and lungs . if your hamster is having trouble breathing , your vet will give it extra oxygen before doing the physical exam . during the physical exam , your vet will ask you questions about your hamsters illness . for example , they will ask you what symptoms you observed and when you first noticed them . also , because respiratory illness can be transmitted from one hamster to the other , and from humans to hamsters , your vet will ask if you or the hamsters cage mates are sick . poor housing conditions , such as drafts , can make a hamster sick . your vet may inquire about your hamsters living environment . respiratory illnesses in hamsters are caused by bacteria pasturella , streptococcus and viruses flu virus . to treat your hamster most effectively , your vet will need to know which specific organism is causing the illness . to do this , your vet will take a sample of fluid from your hamster and analyze it . if your vet thinks your hamster has pneumonia , they may want to take x - rays of your hamsters chest . chest x - rays would help your vet determine the severity of the pneumonia . x - rays of your hamsters skull may be helpful , too , to look at the nasal passages .

recognize the signs . talk to someone who can help . consider your hamsters suffering . prepare your friends and family .

how to deal with your hamster dying 1

there are many reasons that may claim the life of your hamster . old age , for example , may make your hamsters eyes go dull . you may notice his fur getting thin . it may make your hamster listless and cause his appetite to disappear . your hamster may exhibit unusual signs , such as urinating in its nest . , your parents may be able to offer advice on how to help your hamster . you may be able to talk to an experienced professional , like a vet , for more specific details on how to care for your hamster . she will give you advice on diet , exercise , and care . if your hamster in too much pain , you may want to consider other options . euthanasia may be the best option to stop his suffering . this is a painless process and the professionals will do what they can to make the last stages of your pets life as comfortable as possible . , you want to tell those close to you about what is going to happen . this may be your childs first experience with death , and you want to approach it with care . be honest and approach with empathy .

recognize the signs of shock in your hamster . warm up your hamster . move your hamster . take your hamster to your veterinarian . make your hamsters cage safer . keep a close eye on your hamster during playtime . supervise children who are handling your hamster .

how to care for your shocked hamster

shock occurs when the organs in the body are not getting enough blood or oxygen . when you hamster is in shock , he will appear limp and have a dazed look in his eyes . without good blood circulation , his body temperature will drop . your hamster will feel cold to the touch , and may also start shivering . other clinical signs of shock include a rapid pulse and shallow breathing . before you take your hamster to your veterinarian , try to give him some first aid at home . the best first aid you can give is to his increase his circulation , which will warm him up . gently pick him up and rub his body slowly . be gentle when you rub him . vigorous or forceful rubbing is not necessary to improve his blood circulation . you should start to feel your hamsters body warm up as you rub him . when your hamster starts warming up even if hes still out of it , place him back in his cage and move him to a warm , dark , and quiet area of your home to continue recovering . the quietness of the room will help him recover without being startled by loud noises and other distractions . check on him after about 30 to 60 minutes to see if he has improved . if not , take him to your veterinarian for further treatment . even if your hamster is showing signs of improvement , your veterinarian should still check him out . in addition , if your hamster is seriously injured , your veterinarian will need to treat that injury . your veterinarian may give your hamster some fluids to improve his circulation . depending on the extent of your hamsters underlying injuries , you may need to give him pain medication to help him recover . your veterinarian will let you know what type of treatment and medication your hamster will need . as much as your hamster likes to run and play , he may play a little too hard and injure himself in his cage . you will need to ‘injury - proof your hamsters cage to prevent the risk of fall or injury . for example , if the cage is multi - level , make sure your hamster has a sturdy ladder or ramp so he can get from one level to the other without falling . if the cage already has wire ramps or ladders , cover them with a solid material , such as cardboard , laminate flooring , or coroplast , playtime outside of the cage is important for your hamster . however , he could seriously injure himself when he is outside of his cage . if you have him in his hamster ball , keep him as far away from the stairs as possiblea tumble down the stairs could cause injury serious enough to lead to shock . rolling down the stairs in the hamster ball could also knock your hamster unconscious . if he is unconscious and in shock , he will need immediate veterinary care . when your hamster is in the hamster ball , keep him in an enclosed room so there is no chance he could roll near or down the stairs . another possible solution is to lay a hula - hoop on the ground , and have the hamster ball roll around in that . if your hamster is allowed to run free in the room , make sure he does not climb on any furniture . he could suffer a serious injury if he jumps or falls from the furniture . often , children can be rough with small pets , such as hamsters , without knowing they are actually hurting the animal . if you have small children , watch them as they handle your hamster . that way , if they are handling him too roughly , you can intervene and place the hamster safely back in his cage . you could also turn this time into a teaching moment on how to properly hold a hamster .

check for the signs of wet tail . remove fruits and vegetables from the diet . isolate the sick hamster . take your little friend to the vet . ask the vet to hydrate the hamster if necessary . if the hamster is very dehydrated , ask if the vet recommends giving him an injection of saline under the skin . allow the vet to hospitalize your pet if recommended . give the hamster its medication at home . if the vet doesnt recommend hospitalization , you need to be attentive to your pets medical care at home . keep the hamster warm . reduce stress . practice good hygiene at all times during the care period . be prepared to make a difficult decision .

how to treat wet tail 1

the hallmark of this condition is wetness around the hamsters tail — hence the name wet tail . however , this is a description rather than a diagnosis in its own right . what we call wet tail can actually have several different causes , but the result is the same diarrhea and fluid loss . the following signs indicate wet tail in a hamstertail end and sometimes abdomen are wet , matted the wet area is soiled and smells bad from excessive watery diarrhea failure to groom , dull , ruffled coat dull , sunken eyes abdominal discomfort , which can show itself as grumpiness or aggression lethargy , hiding away and being reclusive irritability , discomfort , and hunched posture protruding rectum caused by straining weight loss loss of appetite and low energy levels . before seeing the vet , do not remove all food , but remove fruits and vegetables . your vet will provide further advice on diet once hes examined the animal . dry food binds the bowels better than fruit and vegetables . more watery foods can encourage diarrhea , so removing fruits and vegetables from the diet can help prevent it . wet tail can be contagious , so its best to be on the side of caution . separate your sick hamster from any others you may have to prevent the illness from spreading . the sick hamster may prefer to be left alone anyway , so isolation can reduce its stress levels . consider asking a trusted friend to care for your healthy hamsters during the recovery period . this will allow you to concentrate on the sick ones . it also reduces stress for yourself and for your hamster . the vet will prescribe a course of antibiotics as well as medication to cure diarrhea . avoid adding antibiotics to food and water . your hamster probably isnt eating drinking anyway , so this would be an ineffective way to medicate him . if he is drinking , you dont want to discourage this by putting something that tastes strange in the water . if the hamster is very unwell , the vet may give antibiotics by injection to ensure he gets the correct dose . because hamsters are so small , its hard to run diagnostic tests bloods and imaging on them . this makes it difficult for the vet to reach a definitive diagnosis of the underlying cause of the illness . you can check for extreme hydration by pinching the skin on the back of the neck . healthy , hydrated skin will snap back immediately . if it takes longer than 2 seconds to return to normal , you should raise concerns of dangerous dehydration . a saline injection does not always make as much difference as hoped because absorption can be slow when the animal is unwell . if the vet is concerned about the hamsters health , defer to his opinion . he may ask you to leave your pet at the clinic so the staff can administer fluids regularly and give additional antibiotics by injection . your vet may prescribe an antibiotic called baytril to be taken by mouth . this is a very concentrated antibiotic , and the dose is usually one drop per day . the vet may also suggest dripping a balanced electrolyte solution lectade or pedialyte into the hamsters mouth to keep it hydrated . this needs to be done with great care to avoid flooding the hamsters lungs . the best way is to give the electrolyte solution is with an eyedropper . squeeze a single drop of the solution from the dropper and touch it to the hamsters lips . the surface tension of the solution will cause the drop to soak the hamsters mouth , which it will then lick dry . this should be done every half - hour to hour , if possible . small mammals like hamsters have a large ratio of surface area to volume . as a result , they can get dangerously cold very easily when they are sick . a hamsters ideal environment should be between 70 - 80f . experts believe wet tail to be a stress - related disease , so thats the last thing your buddy needs . remove any source of distraction or stress from the room where the hamster is resting . this includes other hamsters , barking dogs , inquisitive cats , bright lights , and anything noisy . other than removing wet foods from its diet , do not change the usual food unless your vet advises you to . this can cause more stress . try not to move the hamster around more than necessary , beyond vet visits and initial isolation . transportation is a source of stress . this is especially important when you have more than one hamster , as sloppiness might spread the infection . always wash your hands before and after handling the hamster . keep everything clean , including the cage , drink bottle , food dish , and toys . clean the cage every 2 or 3 days . trying to clean it any more often can result in additional stress , which is not good for the hamsters recovery . unfortunately , hamsters often dont respond well to therapy . so if your hamster develops signs , be prepared for the worst and that they might not get better . the success rate for treating wet tail is low , and if the hamster does not rally within 24 - 48 hours then the chances are it wont . if , despite all your efforts , the hamster continues to deteriorate , it may kinder to consider putting your pet to sleep . look for dehydration lifting his scruff and watching it fall back down , lack of activity , lack of response when touched or handled , continued diarrhea , and a foul smell which is getting worse . if you start treatment and the hamsters condition worsens , at least you gave him a chance . but it may now be kinder to relieve him of his pain and let him go .

find a good spot . prepare the medicine . restrain the hamster , if need be . administer the medicine . reward your hamster .

how to feed a hamster medicine 1

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 . once youve found a spot , begin to set out your materials . this might include the bottle of liquid medicine , an eyedropper or syringe , and a clean towel . 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 . take the bottle of medicine and give it a shake , if need be . then , open the bottle and insert the dropper . to draw the medicine , either pull back on the syringes plunger or press the droppers rubber bulb . this will create suction and fill the plastic tube with medicine . make sure that you draw the proper dosage . hold the tube level and look at the measuring scale to check the amount . some hamsters can be tempted to take medicine right from the dropper , so long as the taste is not too foul . you may have to restrain your pet , however . there are several humane ways that you can do this . 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 hamsters body , so that it cannot move and only its head is free . your other hand will be free to administer the meds . use a towel to swaddle the hamster , alternately . just wrap the animal so that its paws are inside the towel and its head is sticking out . hold the animal with one hand . you can also scruff the animal . hamsters have lots of loose skin around the neck and front of the shoulders , which you can grab with your thumb and forefinger . just be aware that too much tension on the scruff can cause the hamsters eyes to pop out . have your vet show you a safe way to scruff the hamster before attempting this at home or use a different method . take the dropper with your free hand , while continuing to restrain the hamster . hold the dropper to the animals mouth and , if it licks the tool , gently push the medicine out . the hamster might not be cooperative . it may squirm and resist . in that case , first try to insert the mouth of the dropper into the side of the animals mouth where it has no teeth . squeeze the medicine out and it will be swallowed . do not try to open the hamsters mouth with your fingers . while this can be done by pulling up at the mouth , making the animal smile and exposing gaps , you can also be bitten . taking medicine orally can be an unpleasant experience for your hamster . the liquid may taste bitter , and being restrained is traumatic . give your pet a reward for good behavior and to help calm it . things such as sunflower seeds or yogurt drops sold at pet stores would be rewarding . a piece of food may also cleanse the palette , if the medicine was bitter .

get a hula hoop that is hamster size . put your hamster on the floor , next to the hoop sitting flat on the floor . start raising the hula hoop . try getting your hamster a ball . advance the stakes .

how to train your hamster to jump through a hoop

it could be a large ring covered in ribbon or a purpose - made one from the pet store . it must be large enough that the hamster can fit through it with ease but not so large the hamster isnt aware of going through an object . get a treat or push your hamster a little over the hoop . repeat 1 - 4 times . put a treat on the opposite side from where your hamster is starting . this will encourage your hamster to step through the hoop and eat the treat . now that your hamster is comfortable with walking over the hoop , start raising the hoop and encouraging your hamster to walk through it . keep the base of the hoop right on the floor , your hamster is still getting used to things . and keep a treat on the other side to encourage walking through the hoop . this will help teach your hamster to stretch its body , which can be helpful when youre about to teach the hamster to start jumping up and through the hoop . spend time rolling the ball away from the hamster and encouraging to chase after it , lunge for it , etc . again , make use of treats . now its time to teach your hamster to jump in the air . raise the hoop just above the floor and hold it in place or use something to hold it in place . try giving your hamster treats or calling its name to get it to jump up and through the hoop . youll need to keep practicing a lot , so have patience and be dedicated . do not raise the hoop too high . your hamster is delicate and shouldnt be landing from any great height . keep the jump level very small and keep the landing soft , such as a nice soft carpet or a padded surface .

check your hamsters eye for foreign objects . examine your hamster for pink eye . see if your hamsters eyeball is protruding from the socket . hold your hamster gently . wet a cotton swab or washcloth with lukewarm water . hold the cloth or swab on the eye . wipe away any crust from the eyelid . open the eye gently . visit the vet if you have any trouble . wash around you hamsters eyes regularly .

how to help a hamster with sticky eye

one reason your hamsters eye may be watery or closed is that something is stuck in the eye . if this is the case , there wont be any crust present holding the eye closed , so you can gently open your hamsters eye and look . if there is dust or sand in the eye , you can use a q - tip or similar , dipped in lukewarm water to gently remove the debris . if an object has actually punctured the eye , dont try to remove it or you could cause further damage . take your hamster to the vet as soon as possible . animals , as well as humans , can contract conjunctivitis , commonly known as pink eye . the condition is usually not harmful to hamsters , but you should still see the vet to make sure your pet heals properly . schedule a visit to the vet if your hamster exhibits the following symptoms . a watery eye discharge . this may become more pus - like as time goes on . sticky eyelids . swollen eyes . redness around the edge of the eyelids . it is possible for the eyeball to actually protrude from a hamsters head . it can occur from an infection or trauma . this is a serious condition that requires veterinary attention as soon as possible . dont waste time if you see this condition in your hamster . the faster you get to the vet , the better the chances you can save the eyeball . youll want to avoid hurting your hamster while cleaning out the eye . being too rough while handling him for this procedure can cause injury that will require veterinary attention . pick him up gently and dont start cleaning until hes settled down . be sure the hamster is comfortable and has stopped struggling before you start cleaning out his eye . either of these objects will work , as long as you use lukewarm water . make sure the water isnt hot , or you could burn your hamster and cause damage to the eye . , you shouldnt abruptly pull the eye open . the crust associated with the sticky eye will be holding the eye shut , and pulling it apart can cause damage . instead , you have to break down and soften the crust that is keeping the eye shut . you can do this by holding the wet cloth over your hamsters eye for a few minutes . this will help loosen up the eyelid . he may even be able to open his eye on his own after this without any further help . try two minutes of this before taking any further action . after youve held the cloth over your hamsters eye for a few minutes , the crust should be soft and loose . now you can gently brush it away from his eyelid without hurting him . if the crust doesnt come away easily , dont force it or you could hurt the hamster . instead , go back to holding the cloth on the crust and let it loosen further . if a few minutes go by and your hamster is still unable to open his eye by himself , youll have to open it manually . after wiping away the crust , it should be easy to open the eye . gently pull the lids apart until your hamster is able to open his eye on his own . remember to stop right away if you have any difficulty doing this . go back to holding the cloth over the eye and wiping away crust , then try again . if you cant get the eye open or suspect that anything else may be wrong , dont hesitate to go to the vet . if there is a problem , catching it early is key for your hamsters health . if your hamster is prone to sticky eyes , you can prevent the problem with regular washing . take a wet cloth and gently wipe around the eye to get rid of any fluid buildup . this will prevent crusting and help keep your hamsters eyes from getting stuck together . you should especially do this if your hamster is getting old since older hamsters are more prone to the problem .

make your hamster comfortable . avoid excessive holding . feed and water appropriately .

how to deal with your hamster dying 2

in your hamsters last days , make him as happy as possible . put soft material in his cage . let him sleep as much as he wants . put his favorite toys in his cage . your hamster may lose energy and may not participate in its usual exercise . you do not want to make him excessively tired by holding him . talk to your vet or parents about what diet would be best . if your hamster is suffering for heart damage , for example , you may want to avoid fatty foods like sunflowers . teeth issues can also plague older hamsters . try feeding him soft foods like rice or cereal .

acknowledge your grief for the loss of your hamster . take some time . talk to friends and family . memorialize your hamster . write out your feelings . reach out to resources .

how to deal with your hamster dying 3

you are going to be upset and are going to hurt . you might feel strong emotions like anger , grief , depression , or guilt . it is okay to feel these strong feelings after a loss of a love one . your hamster was a part of your family and you will need time to grieve . consider taking time off work or school to feel your grief . statistics show that the pain you feel when you lose a pet is akin to losing a human family member . , your loved ones probably are aware of how much you loved your hamster . they can help you through the grieving process if you reach out to them . talk to them about what you are feeling , and they may help to ease the passing . remember the positive things about your friend . you can go through pictures of your pet . you can think about the games and toys you played with him . these good things may make your grief a little less painful . you can start a blog or journal . writing out your feelings may help you work out your grief . you can write about the positive memories and thoughts of your beloved family member . , there are national resources you can reach out to if you need someone to talk to you . reaching out to resources like the aspca hotline can connect you to people who understand .

volunteer at a local shelter . look for a new friend . get back to a regular routine . remember it will be alright .

how to deal with your hamster dying 4

once you start the healing process , you might be hesitate to bring a new hamster into your home . you can volunteer at a local animal shelter to help others in need . helping animals in need might help you with the grief process . after you start to heal , you may feel up to bringing in a new hamster . visit your local shelter or pet store for a new addition to your family . to fully move on , it might be best to get back to your day to day schedule . it might hurt for awhile , but if you take one day at a time , you will find that your grief lessens . , everyone experience loss , know that you are not alone with your loss . this may be a very hard time for you , but things will get better . remember these steps and take time to grieve your loss .

consider the hamsters breed . keep an eye on young hamsters . dont over - handle newly weaned hamsters . be aware of gastrointestinal disturbances . adult hamsters tend to develop the symptoms if the balance of microorganisms in their guts is disturbed . take the hamsters other conditions into consideration . it may well be that the gastrointestinal problems arise not from disturbances like stress or diet , but from an underlying medical condition .

how to treat wet tail 2

dwarf hamsters can get severe diarrhea , but they do not get wet tail . long - haired teddy hamsters , on the other hand , seem to be the most prone to wet tail . ask your breeder or veterinarian about your breeds risk of wet tail when purchasing hamsters , so you know your pets risks . very young hamsters between 3 - 8 weeks of age seem especially vulnerable to an infection . this is likely because their immune systems are still developing , and arent very good at fighting off bugs yet . research suggests that most the bacteria most likely to case wet tail is the desulfovibrio species . the most easily affected hamsters seem to be weaned baby hamsters up to the age of 8 weeks . always give new hamsters time to adjust to their new surroundings before handling them too much . otherwise , you might stress them out too much and contribute to wet tail conditions . give new hamsters about a week to settle in before handling them often . it is also a good idea to isolate them during this time , as wet tail can be incubating for 7 days before the symptoms appear . this lets a bacterium called clostridium overwhelm the gut , causing diarrhea and wet tail symptoms . factors which can trigger the initial gastrointestinal disturbance include stress for example , from an overcrowded cage or from fear of a predator like a house cat change of diet certain antibiotics given by mouth for other illnesses conditions like irritable bowel syndrome or bowel cancer can be contributing factors to wet tail .

measure the proper dosage . dissolve the medicine in water . dissolve the medicine into food , alternately . be cautious if administering antibiotics .

how to feed a hamster medicine 2

medicine in food or water is easier to administer to your hamster but , at times , less effective . on one hand , youre 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 . again , follow your veterinarians instructions and be sure you have the exact dosage . hamsters are small animals and can easily overdose . if the veterinarian has suggested it , you might be dissolving meds into your hamsters water supply . take the animals water bottle from the cage and open it . fill the bottle with water and add the medicine from the dropper . you will need to make sure that the meds are fully dissolved and well - mixed and that they are changed daily . use only purified , de - ionized water . no tap water . monitor your pet closely once you have returned the bottle to the cage . make sure that the animal continues to drink normally . place the proper amount of drops onto a piece of your hamsters food and then offer the food to the animal . you might place it directly into the cage , or you can tempt the hamster with the treat from your hand . hamster pellets are small . it might take you quite a few of them to administer the medicine , depending on the dosage . bribing the animal with a special , medicine - laced treat – like cottage cheese or baby food – is another idea . put a small amount of food with the full dose on the spoon , and let the animal eat until it is gone . hamsters are sensitive to anti - biotics , which change the microbial balance of the animals intestines and can kill it . if the vet has prescribed antibiotics , follow her instructions to the letter . give the hamster a small amount of white , live - culture yogurt 110 of a teaspoon twice per day if you are administering antibiotics , once in the morning and again in the evening . do so for the duration of the therapy and for another 5 - 7 days . the yogurt will help to replace the intestinal bacteria that your hamster loses because of the antibiotics .

get instructions from your vet . prepare your site and supplies . draw the medicine . restrain the hamster . administer the shot .

how to feed a hamster medicine 3

although giving medicine orally is easier and less expensive , parenteral administration , i . e . a shot , is often a more effective method . your vet will tell you if this is the best way . also , some medicines cant be given to hamsters orally . ask the doctor for step - by - step instructions if you have to give the shot yourself . it is not particularly hard , but you must be able to do it correctly . try to have the vet write down the instructions on paper , if possible . this will allow you to refresh your memory at home . beforehand , take the syringe and other supplies to draw out the correct dosage of medicine . besides the syringe you will need the vial of meds the vet gave you , an alcohol pad , and a needle or sharp . like before , set up shop in a safe place . read the instructions closely before going ahead . as always , you must be careful to get the right amount to avoid an overdose . take the cap off the vial and wipe the top with an alcohol pad to sterilize it . hold the syringe in your hand like a pencil and take the protective cap off the needle . pull back the plunger to the line on the scale for your dosage . this will fill the tube with air . next , hold the vial right side up , push the needle through the rubber top , and push out the air . doing so will keep a vacuum from forming . turn the vial upside down so that the needle is in the medicine . then , pull back on the plunger to your dosage amount . remove any trapped air bubbles by tapping on the syringe with your fingers , and gently push the plunger to expel them from the tube . remove the needle from the vial . keep it sterile . if you have to set the syringe down , be sure to cover the needle with the protective cap . carefully and gently take your pet from the cage . you may want to clear out obstacles like exercise wheels and food dishes , so that the animal cannot evade you . the best way to give a shot to a hamster is by scruffing . again , gently pinch the scruff between your thumb and forefinger and pull it taut . then , turn the animal over while supporting its body with your palm . the hamster should be immobilized . take the syringe with your free hand and remove the protective cap . hold the animal steady and prepare to deliver the medication . for a shot into the body cavity called an intraperitoneal injection , wipe the lower left part of the abdomen with the alcohol wipe and let it dry . tip the animal so that its nose is pointing down a bit and insert the needle at a 30 degree angle in the sterilized area . push the plunger to inject the medicine and then remove the needle . for a shot under the skin called a subcutaneous injection , lightly pull up the skin over the injection site to make a small pocket . sterilize the pocket with alcohol and insert the needle . retract the plunger . if you see any blood or fluid , reposition the needle . repeat . when you have found a good site , push the plunger to inject the medicine and remove the needle . return the animal to its cage when you are done .

make sure that your hamster is familiar with your scent and voice . get a sunflower seed or any other delicious treat that you know your hamster likes . move your end at the end of your hamsters cage , opposite of where it is sitting . when your hamster comes to your hand , let it take the treat and eat it . repeat the above steps several times . after the hamster comes to your hand several times in a row , repeat steps above , except without the treat . wash your hands to remove any germs or odors that may hurt or scare your hamster . place a treat in the palm of your hand . hold your hand at the end of the cage , opposite of where your hamster is sitting . as the hamster comes towards you for the treat , repeat its name several times in a slow and clear manner . repeat the steps above , but move the treat a little farther from your hamster each time . soon , you can start calling it towards you without a treat .

how to train your hamster to come when you call

wash your hands before and after handling your hamster , as strong odors on your hands might alarm the hamster . certain scents will cause the hamster to flee . plus , washing your hands well before handling your hamster will make sure you arent introducing any germs to it that might cause its health to go down . place it in the palm of your hand . slowly move your hand up and down to get the smell of the treat to your hamsters nose more effectively . this will make sure it knows there is a treat at the other end . keep in mind that some hamsters - such as the dwarf varieties - will consider movements a threat and either run for safety or bite hand movement should be slow and non - threatening . if your hamster appears frightened by you , stop moving . , however , have your hand closed over the treat the next few times so your hamster cant tell whether you have a treat in your hand or not . after a while , the hamster should come when you hold out your hand . again , this is best for its health and safety . , let it know you have a treat in your hand by slowly moving your hand up and down to get the scent towards it . make sure you dont mumble or say its name too fast otherwise , the hamster might not understand . also , close your hand around the treat so that it cant see it . if your hamster shies away at the thought of coming any closer , move your hand back to where it originally was and patiently work your way farther and farther . however , dont move too far at once when it comes to you , give it a stroke or cuddle . however , keep in mind that if you continually do this and never give it a treat again , your hamster may refuse to respond or come to your any more . give your hamster treats frequently , but not all the time .

when you bring your hamster home , leave it alone for a couple of days . get your hamster used to the sound of your voice . provide digging opportunities . put a sunflower seed or a hamster treat in your hand . teach your hamster some tricks . do the same thing with other tricks like paw . for turn or roll over , put the treat on its backside . train your hamster about what not to do . teach your hamster how to jump . teach your hamster to climb up your shoulder . use the find trick . try giving the hamster a carrot as a treat .

how to train your hamster

this will give your hamster the space needed to get comfortable with its new habitat . the space allowed will teach your hamster that you wont push it into doing something it doesnt want to do . make sure that your hamsters food dish has food when you put it in the cage . make sure the hamsters cage is at least 360 square inches 2232 . 6 square centimeters . if it is any smaller , it can induce aggression and a lot of bar chewing caused by boredom . remember bigger is always better do not leave your hamster in his ball if you have one for too long since the balls have a bad air circulation and also the hamster might go to the bathroom in the ball . the urine will leak through the cracks , making a mess , and it will soak into your hamsters fur which could cause illness or health problems . you may be able to do this by reading a book or quietly singing a song to it . this will make it feel more comfortable and secure when it hears your voice . make a sound such as a clucking with your tongue , whenever you interact . always make this sound when giving food so it will know its you pet your hamster and spend time once or twice a day for 5 minutes or longer with it so your hamster can get used to you , a good idea is to increase the time you spend with them from small amounts to get them used to you and then longer when they get more comfortable with your presence . let your hamster crawl on you and your clothing so it can start to get used to your scent . a tip is to rub their bedding on you too , as they then will associate your smell with safety . to get it used to your scent , cut an old pair of your cotton underwear - - unlaundered so it has your scent - - into 2 squares . add a square with their bedding for it to take to its nest . get a box a little bigger than the size of a sticky note then fill it with sand . have the hamsters bedding level with the box so it will be able to climb onto it . then , the hamster will be able to dig . this isnt a trick but its a nice way of letting your hamster enrich its own play . lay it flat in the cage . wait patiently for your hamster to climb on your hand and take the treat . when the hamster climbs on your palm , slowly lift it out of the cage and stroke its fur . this teaches it that you love the hamster and it can trust you . eventually it will climb on your hand and will be waiting for you to pick it up . be prepared to do this for about an hour . your hamster might grab your finger instead and bite it . be prepared for this possibility and do not scold the hamster learn to move your fingers quickly out of the way . a way to avoid it biting you is by taking your hamster to the bathtub and let it crawl around on you so it will get used to your scent . after a while it will be used to you and your scent . this will not only help you both to bond , but it will make your hamster respond to you better . start simply with stand . hold a treat over its head and wait for it to stand on two legs . say stand over and over . it will get on two feet and take the treat . after a while when you say stand , it will do this standing trick on its own . dont forget to reward your hamster instead , put the treat in front , so it will put a paw forward to get the treat . he will turn around to get it . then do the same thing as stand . say it and repeat it . dont use treats until after the trick has been performed and now you have a trained hamster . if it chews on something its not supposed to , respond with a firm no . whenever your hamster does what you ask , give it a reward try not to make the reward a treat all the time because too many treats are a bad thing . if your hamster is always angry , trying to bite you or not cooperating , then use a hamster ball or something interesting that it will be attracted to . let it play until it is happy or excited , then let it on your hand . never stroke or try to hold your hamster when it is eating , washing itself , sleeping , etc . because sometimes it will get annoyed by the interruption and bite . put a treat up above the hamster and go up with the treat . when it is standing , say jump again and again . continue until the hamster associates the word with the jumping action . place it on your shoulder to get comfortable . do that for a few days . then , place a treat under your shirt and hold your arm out to it . the hamster will go up to your shoulder looking for treats . eventually you will not have to put treats under your shirt and it will go up voluntarily . dont put your hamster on your shoulder if it is uncomfortable make a maze , out of anything . ensure that it has no cracks . put a treat anywhere in the maze randomly placed . put your hamster in the maze and say find . do this for one hour every day . fairly soon , the hamster will look when you say find without you putting a treat . reward the hamster after 3 minutes in the maze . make sure your hamster sees you put the treat in the maze most hamsters like carrots . do not give carrots to your hamster often , but only once in a while . your hamster will appreciate a new treat . hamsters also like plain cheerios , but do not feed your hamster honey nut cheerios . it contains enough sugar that makes your hamster sick . hamsters love it when you give them sunflower seeds , fresh fruits and vegetables as treats for being good . vary the treats you give your hamster and how much - to keep it interested