Typically, hamsters are cheerful, vivacious little animals. Their coats are full and bright, and their eyes are shiny. They play well, eat well, and maintain good personal hygiene when they are healthy.
Given that these small rodents attempt to conceal illness, you must pay close attention to both your hamster’s behavior and appearance.
In this article, we’ll go over the symptoms and signs of a sick hamster to watch out for and provide some advice on how to treat her.
Symptoms and signs of a sick hamster
Initial priorities: check out how your hamster is acting. She may be acting differently from how she usually does if something is wrong. Taking away her exercise wheel, if she has one, might be a good idea. Inspect her tiny body to see if there are any obvious signs of an illness or injury. Something serious might be going on if your hamster is underweight and lethargic.
Look for changes in behavior
Consider your hamster’s behavior, particularly her morning routine. Is your hamster continuing her daily routine of stretching and yawning? Is she consuming as much food and water as usual? Your hamster may be ill or hurt if the answer is no.
Additionally, pay attention to how your hamster and you interact. A sick hamster might display fear and cower, or she might exhibit some aggressive behavior. When she is a stranger to your home and doesn’t yet know you, this might not be a sign of illness.
Pay attention to her appearance
The coat of a healthy hamster is typically smooth and shiny. Your hamster may not be feeling well if it appears dull, dried out, or wet.
- Eyes
There shouldn’t be any redness in the rodent’s eyes. Although some hamsters naturally have reddish eyes, a redness that is too pronounced may be cause for concern.
The eyes of your pet should be bright and alert, without any crustiness or discharge.
- Nose
Examine your hamster’s nose closely. Runny is not acceptable. If so, your hamster might be sick.
- Mouth
Teeth problems are a possibility in hamsters. Check to see if your hamster is having trouble eating or drinking, or if her teeth are growing out too long. She could be suffering from an impacted cheek pouch, which can happen when debris or food gets trapped there. The health and comfort of your hamster may suffer if this problem is not fixed.
- Tail
Your hamster should have a dry tail. If it isn’t, then the wetness there might be urine or fecal matter. (Gross; she won’t like it either.) Moreover, if your hamster lies next to or near where she’s gone to the bathroom, these are clear sick hamster symptoms, and she needs your help.
Make sure to feed your hamster
Your hamster can still be coaxed to eat if you notice that she isn’t eating well. Not eating could make her sicker and make her condition worse.
In order to get your hamster to eat a little, you might need to nudge it. You could try moving her food closer as one possible solution. (Your hamster isn’t being lazy; she may simply be too frail to move over to her dish on her own.)
Give your hamster water
As with food, not drinking water isn’t an option for your hamster. You might want to try an eyedropper if you can’t get her to drink from her water bottle.
Keep your hamster comfortable
It’s crucial to keep your hamster comfortable if it displays symptoms of illness. Watch her behavior and appearance over the course of a day or two at the same time.
Make your hamster feel snug
Think about giving your hamster some extra bedding so she can nest and feel comfortable to help her unwind. She may require some rest. Watch how she behaves around you and the other hamsters. Despite how absurd it may sound, many hamsters continue to exercise while they are ill. That, however, is detrimental to their health.
It’s probably time to take your little furry friend to the vet if she keeps exhibiting signs of being a sick hamster. Your hamster’s veterinarian will be able to accurately diagnose her condition and probably be able to prescribe a treatment to help her feel better.
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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