Is my hamster fat or ill?
Signs and Symptoms A fully grown golden hamster should weigh 5 to 7 ounces (150 to 200 grams) and dwarf hamster breed should weigh around 3/4 to 1 3/4 ounces (25-50g). If your hamster is heavier than that, it could be considered an obese hamster.
How to know if your hamster is sick or injured?
It might also cower or get nippy as it might feel vulnerable when it is sick or injured. Of course, if your hamster is new, it might be a bit shy until it gets familiar with being handled. The CDC offers advice on how you and your hamsters can stay healthy.
How can you tell if a hamster has a cold?
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.
What do the eyes of a hamster look like?
Some hamster breeds have reddish eyes to begin with so it’s important to observe what the eyes of this hamster normally look like. Nose: The nose should be dry and not runny. A runny nose can be a sign of a cold or some other virus.
How can you tell if a hamster has a wet tail?
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 hamster’s 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.
How can I tell if my hamster is sick?
“Hamsters hide signs of sickness for as long as they can,” says Kristin Valdes, DVM, an exotic vet at Chicago Exotics Animal Hospital in Skokie, Ill. Therefore, it’s critical that pet parents observe their hamster’s normal appearance and behavior so they quickly notice even subtle changes that might indicate illness.
What are the symptoms of a wet tail hamster?
Symptoms: Diarrhea (signs of a wet tail), lethargy, ruffled/dirty coat, loss of appetite. This is a highly contagious disease that is by far the most common in hamsters that have been recently weaned. The scientific names for wet tail are regional enteritis and proliferative ileitis.
What to do if your hamster has an ill temper?
Hamsters may develop ill temper, signified by biting, in their later years. Do not let your hamster run free in your house as they may be list or may bite electrical cords. Accustom your hamster to being handled when it’s young. Use a soft, cotton towel to remove it from its cage.
How can you tell a male hamster from a female hamster?
Other General Differences. The back end of the male tends to be elongated and rounder in appearance in comparison to the female. Male hamsters often have a noticeable scrotum with testicles after about four weeks of age, although the testicles can be retracted. Only female hamsters have nipples.
