Who doesn't like keeping hamsters? Although very active at night, in fact these tiny and fat rodents can also get sick, even die. To keep your pet comfortable even when they are sick or dying, try to provide him with a comfortable place to live, help him eat and drink, and recognize the various signs that indicate that his body is not feeling well.
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Part 1 of 3: Providing a Comfortable Home for Hamsters
Step 1. Move the sick hamster to a new cage
If you keep several hamsters in the same cage, try moving the sick hamster to a different cage to maximize rest. In addition to making the hamster feel more comfortable, doing so is also able to minimize exposure to stressors from other animals or activities that occur in the vicinity, as well as reduce the risk of disease transmission to other hamsters who are still healthy.
- Keep the cage position away from your other pets, your family, too bright light, and too loud noise.
- Make sure the cage is large enough so that the hamster can move freely and comfortably, although chances are, the intensity of movement of the sick hamster will of course be reduced.
- Transfer food and drink containers that have been cleaned with soapy water into a new cage.
- Do not place the spinning wheel in your hamster's new cage. Hamsters are known as animals that will still exercise even when they are sick. As a result, the risk of dehydration or injury will not be avoided. Therefore, remove all forms of "rides" that are commonly played by hamsters so that the cage conditions become more spacious, simple, and comfortable. Thus, the movement of the hamster can be minimized.
Step 2. Clean the hamster's old cage
No matter how many hamsters you keep, don't forget to clean the cage regularly, even if you are keeping a Syrian hamster who prefers solitude. Doing so can reduce the risk of transmitting disease to other hamsters, as well as provide a comfortable and clean environment for hamsters that do not have cage mates.
- Wear protective gloves when cleaning the cage or wash your hands thoroughly afterward. If you're pregnant, ask someone else to clean the cage to reduce the risk of fungal infection or rodent meningitis.
- Clean the cage with diluted soapy water or a mixture of 60 ml of bleach and about 500 ml of water. After cleaning the cage, remember to rinse all the corners properly, especially if you used a bleach solution. Be careful, the steam escaping from the bleach can be toxic to hamsters in tight and/or confined spaces.
Step 3. Warm the hamster's body
Usually, a sick hamster has no desire to eat and/or drink. As a result, his body temperature will decrease. Even hamsters are at risk of entering a period of hibernation, even though hibernation is a dangerous process if experienced by domestic hamsters. Therefore, make sure your hamster's body temperature is always warm, but not hot, to increase comfort and reduce stress levels.
- Place as much unscented toilet paper as possible in the cage. If necessary, tear up the tissue first before stacking it in the hamster's cage so it can later be used as a bed if he wants to warm himself.
- Place a warm pillow or install a small light to make the cage a little warmer, around 21-29 degrees Celsius. If you want to warm the cage with lights, also place a small house in the cage so your hamster can enter if you want to avoid too much light. Remember, the temperature of the cage should not be too hot so that the hamster does not experience heatstroke or stress from exposure to too high a temperature.
Step 4. Hug your hamster to give him the warmth and comfort he needs
If your hamster doesn't show any resistance to being held, try wrapping it in a small towel and holding it as close to your body as possible. More than likely, the warm temperature of the towel and your body will put your hamster to sleep soundly in your hands.
Pat your hamster on the back if he doesn't mind. If you want, you can even sing him a soothing song or have a conversation with him to make him feel more calm and comfortable
Part 2 of 3: Helping Hamsters to Eat and Drink
Step 1. Change your hamster's food and drink regularly
If you haven't already, wash the hamster's food and drink containers in hot, soapy water. After that, dry the container properly and place new food and drink on it. Doing so can prevent your hamster's health from getting worse and may even stimulate his appetite.
Do not wash hamster food and drink containers with bleach. Be careful, bleach solution residue can be life threatening for your pet hamster
Step 2. Place food and drink containers near the hamster
Most hamsters feel extremely tired when they are sick and are therefore reluctant to eat any food. In fact, eating and drinking regularly is one of the important keys to fighting disease and speeding up the recovery process. To make the process easier, place a container of food and drink near the hamster's cage so he doesn't have to move around too much to get the nutrients he needs.
Place food and drink containers near the hamster's cage to make it easier to reach whenever needed
Step 3. Increase your hamster's protein intake
Protein is one of the important nutrients to increase the hamster's energy. Eating a delicious, protein-rich diet is an important key to fighting disease and speeding up your hamster's recovery. However, make sure you clean some type of protein, such as eggs or milk, before giving it to your hamster. Some good sources of protein for hamsters who are sick:
- Scrambled eggs without seasoning
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- Slices of bread that have been soaked in milk
- Yogurt containing small amounts of probiotics
- Baby food that doesn't contain garlic, onions, and lemon juice
- Perfectly cooked poached eggs
- Sliced cooked chicken
Step 4. Make sure your hamster is getting enough fluids
Remember, hamsters who are sick actually need more fluids than solid food. Therefore, make sure you always have a container filled with water near your hamster, and also provide food with a very high water content to hydrate him and make him feel better.
- Understand that water is the best type of liquid you can give your hamster. If you wish, you can also add one part of a fresh electrolyte solution that has been diluted with one part of water.
- Add fruits such as pears and apples to increase fluid intake in the hamster's body. In fact, a small piece of bread that has been soaked in milk is also effective in hydrating the hamster's body, lo!
Step 5. Feed the food using your hands or a syringe
If your hamster won't eat or drink from the container you've prepared, try feeding it manually or with the help of a syringe to keep it receiving the fluids and nutrients it needs without moving around too much.
- Place a small amount of food in the palm of your hand, then pass it in front of your beloved hamster. If possible, sit in front of the cage so your hamster can spend as much time as possible on its food. While feeding him, try stroking his back to make him feel more comfortable and calm.
- If you wish, you can also put baby food and/or liquid into a 1 cc syringe. Then, place the tip of the syringe in the corner of his mouth, behind his front teeth. Once the position is correct, push the lever to remove the food and/or liquid inside. In some cases, your hamster might pick up a syringe and drain the contents alone!
Step 6. Don't let your hamster eat too much food at the same time
If your hamster looks very hungry, let him eat for a few minutes. Then, give a short pause before increasing the portion of food. Be careful, letting the hamster eat without a break risks worsening his condition, lo!
Part 3 of 3: Recognizing Symptoms of Illness or Possible Dying and Taking Medical Treatment
Step 1. Watch out for mild symptoms of the disease
Hamsters that are sick or dying will generally show at least one mild symptom. Paying close attention to your hamster's condition regularly will help you identify potential problems, provide him with the comfort he needs, and take him to the doctor if his symptoms don't go away after a few days. Some of the physical symptoms your hamster may exhibit are:
- Cough
- Experiencing constipation
- Having diarrhea
- Experiencing hair loss
- Constantly tilting his head
- Draining fluid from the nasal cavity
- Experiencing increased frequency of urination
- Constantly scratching his body
- Sneeze
- Whistling sound when breathing
- Have hair that is damp, dry, or matted
Step 2. Watch for symptoms of illness or the possibility of dying that is classified as severe
Some hamsters may exhibit more worrisome symptoms. In particular, take your hamster to the doctor immediately if it shows symptoms such as:
- Experiencing enlargement or swelling of the abdomen that is not caused by food
- Has difficulty breathing and/or shows an increase in the tempo of breathing
- Going into a coma or losing consciousness
- Abnormal discharge from the genital or anal area
- Have eyes that squint, widen, look foggy, or excrete a lot of dry discharge
- Have sores or scabs on the skin
- Experiencing swelling behind the skin
- Has a wet tail
Step 3. Watch for symptoms related to the behavior
In addition to observing the physical changes in your hamster's body, make sure you pay more attention to its behavior. In some cases, a hamster that is sick or dying will only show symptoms through behavior, not physical changes. Some of the behaviors that a sick hamster may exhibit:
- Change the way it interacts with other hamsters
- Change the way it interacts with you
- snuggle
- Bite
- Don't want to exercise
- Loss of appetite
- Drink in excessive amounts
- Constantly tilting his head
Step 4. Get your hamster checked by a doctor
If your hamster won't respond to all your efforts to keep him comfortable, full, and hydrated, take him to the doctor immediately. Remember, getting medical treatment at the right time is very important to speed up your hamster's recovery.
- Remember, food and drink are very important elements for maintaining a hamster's health, especially because his body is very small. Get your hamster checked immediately if he hasn't eaten any food or liquids in the last 2-3 days.
- Inform all the symptoms you find along with the frequency of eating and drinking your beloved hamster. If you have given him medication before, share this information with your doctor.
- Follow the treatment plan recommended and/or prescribed by your doctor. If your hamster is in very poor health, your doctor will most likely recommend euthanasia or lethal injection to stop the suffering. Although not easy, understand that euthanasia is actually the most humane thing you can do for her.
