Health
Hamsters don't get sick very often. As long as they are kept in a clean, dry cage, they'll live their 1000 days in good health. The most important thing you can do to ensure your pet's health is to clean the cage religiously once every week. Give them fresh, dry bedding every time you clean the cage. Half way though the week, use a plastic spoon (a designated spoon, not one from the kitchen) and scoop up the corner where your hamster does its business. This will keep the cage dry and fresh. When you clean the cage, also rinse the accessories in hot water or use mild soap. Rinse well before placing back in cage.
The following is a list of symptoms that would indicate illness:
- Sleeps longer than usual. Keep in mind old hamsters natually sleep longer
- Lost of appetite
- No longer grooms himself
- Irritability
- When awake, he is slow moving and seems to have a hard time getting around
- Lost of fur, bald spots. But this is natural for older hamsters.
- Runny nose, teary eyes, wet bottom
- Hamster droppings should be rod-shaped. Watery droppings indicate too much fresh fruits and vegetables. Hard, dry droppings indicate not enough.
- Colds
Hamsters are susecptible to catching colds. Avoid this by cleaning your hands before handling your pet. They usually get infected from people. Cold symptoms include runny nose, sniffles, and irritability. If your hamster does catch a cold, keep the cage out of drafts and in a warm place. When you notice he is sick, clean the cage and put in new bedding. After he recovers, clean the cage again. Stop feeding fruits until he gets better. Cod-liver oil may help. Put couple drops of cod-liver oil on a small piece of bread. Usually hamsters recover from colds ok.
- Teeth
Since their teeth keep growing, you don't really have to worry about cavities. Keep a piece of hard wood in the cage for your hamster to gnaw on. This keeps them choppers the right size. If you notice that a tooth broke off, or if there is discoloration, a little dry milk will usually cure the dental problems.
- Cuts and wounds
Hamsters won't get and cuts or bite wounds if each hamster is kept by himself. They rarely bite themselves! However, if you keep more than one hamster in a cage, they may fight and hurt themselves. If you brought your hamster from the store, he may have a war wound also. So here's what to do. If the hamster can reach the wound when he glooms himself, then you don't have to worry about it getting infected and he'll be alright. If he can't, then use a mild antiseptic (merthiolate or tincture) and apply it with a cotton swab.
- Wet Tail
Wet tail is a disease caused by a bacteria. It occurs in damp, neglected cages or from spoiled foods. It's called wet tail because hamsters with the disease have a wet rear end. However, a wet tail could also indicate constipation. Wet tail is very fatal, and victims usually die if they are not helped. A broad spectrum antibiotic can be brought from some pet shops for this illness. Prompt action is required!
- Diahhea
If your hamster has diahhea, stop feeding fruits and vegetables until he is better. It is usually caused by intestinal or stomach blockage. The best way to avoid this is to provide some alfalfa as part of the diet.
- Constipation
This is caused by lack of water in the diet. Make sure fresh water is available at all times. If your hamster does become constipated, give him some carrots or other fresh fruits or vegetables.
- Runny Eyes
Teary eyes indicate foods stuck in the food pouch. This occurs if you feed you hamster too much soft fruits and vegetable. Avoid this by giving your pet small pieces and watching to make sure he doesn't hoard it. If your hamster does get food stuck in his pouch, use a medicine dropper to flush the pouches with warm water.
- Ticks and bugs
Hamsters usually don't have skin problems because they clean themselves a lot. However, the cage might get infested with mites and ticks. This is due to not cleaning the cage. So the cure...clean it!
