How to Treat Your Sick Hamster

Hamsters make wonderful pets if treated right and trained from youth. Because they are so small and fragile, however, a simple illness such as a cold can cause severe damage or even death if not treated quickly and correctly. If your hamster is sick, there are some things you can do to fix the problem.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. Look for signs of illness, such as sleeping in excess, loss of appetite, changes in attitude (a shy hamster that becomes aggressive or a playful one that becomes reclusive), or difficulty moving. Changes in look can also indicate an illness. Bald spots, a runny nose or signs that the hamster has lost interest in grooming and keeping clean can all indicate a serious illness.

2. Move the cage away from drafts, to a warm area. Cold temperatures can cause or worsen colds, one of the most common illnesses to affect hamsters. If you live in a cold climate, put the cage near, but not directly over, a radiator or heating lamp.

3. Cut down on the amount of soft food, including fruits and vegetables, if your hamster suffers from diarrhea or soft stools. You may even withhold soft goods completely for at least a week and instead give the hamster only dry pellets. Wet tail, a form of severe diarrhea, needs to be treated immediately, as it is deadly if no antibiotics are administered.

4. Take the hamster to the vet if the symptoms don’t improve after a couple of days, if new symptoms appear, or if you suspect wet tail. This is especially important in very young or old hamsters, since they may not have the resilience to get better by themselves.

Tips & Warnings

• Always wash your hands after dealing with a sick hamster or you risk transmitting the disease back to him the next time you touch him.
• Hamsters shouldn’t be given baths or made wet. This can cause colds or more serious health problems.
• Keep the cage clean at all times to prevent a multitude of illnesses, including wet tail.