Q&A for How to Care for Dwarf Hamsters

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  • Question
    Can dwarf hamsters eat celery?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes, but in limited quantities and only as a treat. Too much celery may cause your hamster to have diarrhea.
  • Question
    Will wet tail kill a hamster?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Sadly, wet tail does have a high mortality rate and is difficult to treat. One of the problems is the hamster rapidly becomes dehydrated because of fluid lost in the diarrhea. Slowly dripping fresh boiled water into the hamster's mouth can help counteract dehydration, but the outlook is still serious.
  • Question
    For a new hamster, can I reuse my old hamster's cage, if it has been sanitized?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Yes, that is fine. It's a good idea to thoroughly disinfect the cage, then rinse it and leave it in strong sunshine for a while to dry. Make sure there is no damage, such as chewed sharp edges, which could injure the new hamster. However, it's best to provide a new house and toilet, rather than recycle the previous one.
  • Question
    How can you tell if your hamster is sick?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    Weigh him daily, because weight loss is a sign of ill health. Check that his poop looks normal, and if his eyes, nose, and rear end look clean and clear. Any discharge can also be a sign of sickness. If his appetite drops off or he is drinking more or less than usual, this could also indicate he's unwell.
  • Question
    Neither of my two dwarf hamsters seems to drink a lot. What should I do?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    On average, a hamster drinks 2-4 teaspoons of water every day. However, if they are eating a diet that is high in moisture, such as cucumber, they will satisfy part of this requirement in the food they eat. Always provide fresh water daily, and a sipper bottle is better than a bowl because it's less liable to get contaminated. You should also double check that your sipper bottle is dispensing water properly; sometimes the little ball bearing gets stuck.
  • Question
    My hamster's penis is stuck out. It is also red and bleeding, and he's not eating or drinking. What should I do?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    This sounds like a penile prolapse, which is a serious condition. If the problem is spotted immediately, holding ice on the area can help reduce the swelling, and applying petroleum jelly can help to lubricate it back into place. However, if the penis quickly becomes traumatized and swells further, you should seek immediate veterinary attention, although sadly the outlook is not good.
  • Question
    Is it good to give a dwarf hamster cardboard for filing down his teeth?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    As long as the cardboard does not contain glue, then it's fine for a hamster to chew on. The chewing action helps keep the teeth in trim, and the debris makes nice nest material.
  • Question
    How long are a hamster's teeth meant to be?
    Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
    Veterinarian
    Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.
    Veterinarian
    Expert Answer
    The sharp pointy teeth at the front of the mouth are their incisors. The upper and lower incisors should meet neatly point-to-point when the hamster's mouth is closed. The hamster should be able to open the mouth wide enough to grip a peanut between the tips of the incisors.
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