How long can a hamster go without food or water?
As you are aware, getting a pet – no matter how small – requires a significant commitment. It entails a particular way of life change in addition to the regular eating, playing, cleaning, and general caring. You can’t just up and leave for a trip anymore (were we doing that before, though?). Instead, you must carefully consider your departure and factor in the cost of pet sitting. You’ll need someone to at least check on and feed your hamster during long trips, but what about brief ones? A hamster can survive without food or water for how long? Most likely, it won’t take as long as you anticipate. We are aware, though, that it isn’t always feasible, particularly in an emergency.
Like all other animals, hamsters require food and water to survive. His daily caloric needs vary greatly depending on his age, species, level of activity, and size. A larger hamster requires more food and water to get through an average day, and if your pet spends a lot of time on the wheel, he may also require an extra snack. Any mammal will suffer if they don’t consume enough food and water, or worse, do neither at all. Hamsters are no exception. He’ll begin to feel the effects of hunger and dehydration the following day, and things will only get worse. He may overheat as his body loses water, which causes additional symptoms.
How long does it take a dehydrated hamster to die?
Dehydration will kill your hamster in three to four days, but the signs appear much sooner. If you can, give him fluids with electrolytes, and then call your veterinarian right away. He dehydrates more quickly at higher temperatures, so it’s important to consider the room’s temperature and humidity. Although air conditioning makes a room cooler, it also dries it out, so that effect won’t always be positive overall.
If your animal consumes dried foods and lacks access to water, he could pass away in as little as 48 hours. Keep in mind that in addition to his regular water dish or bottle, he should also get liquids from fruits and lettuce in his diet. All of those items aid in keeping him hydrated.
How can I tell if my hamster is dehydrated?
When his water bottle or dish is empty for an extended period of time, when he has diarrhea, or when he vomits or throws up, you should always check for dehydration. Pay close attention for signs such as lethargy and a lack of urine in the urine. Additionally, you can gently pinch his skin to check for signs of dehydration such as stiffness. Skin should be extremely elastic and quickly recover from minor pinches. If it doesn’t, that might be a clue that he needs water right away. The variables that are taken into account in this calculation depend greatly on your hamster and his surroundings.
What can I do to get ready for my trip?
As previously stated, finding someone to look after your pet is preferable to leaving him with a pet sitter.
One option is to pay someone to come by once a day and replenish his food and water while making sure everything is okay. Naturally, this limits his interaction with people, but he can get by for a few days. Consider purchasing a pet camera and assigning someone (the same person or a different one, the closer the better) to remain on call when you are gone as a supplement to a drop-in. In this way, you always have a person to turn to in case your pet gets into trouble or escapes from its cage.
Although the costs can add up and he’d probably prefer to be in a familiar setting, taking him to a boarding facility is another option. Many pets find these visits stressful. If you can’t get a friend to drop by, it will suffice in an emergency. Finally, it is possible to purchase auto-filling food and water dishes, though we don’t suggest this for journeys lasting more than a weekend. This might work for a brief, necessary overnight, especially if you combine it with a pet camera and an emergency contact.
Final thoughts
You shouldn’t test the theory, even though your hamster will probably last three to four days without food and water. Plan your travels carefully when you’ll be gone, and try to limit the amount of time he won’t see anyone. Keep in mind that leaving him alone too much, even if he isn’t neglected and has plenty to eat, may cause him to act out in a negative way. He might start nipping or exhibit other aggressive behaviors as he loses his memory of what it feels like to be pet by humans.
If you want more helpful advice on looking after your hamster, including tips on food, toys, accessories and accommodation, add a comment below to let us know!
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