Is your hamster sleeping longer than usual? Keep in mind that old hamsters naturally sleep longer. Has your hamster lost his appetite? Does he no longer groom himself? Is he irritable? When awake, is he slow moving, or does he have a hard time getting around? Has your hamster lost any of his fur, or have bald spots? Keep in mind that this is normal for older hamsters. Does he have a wet chin or throat? This can be a sign of dental problems. Does he have difficulty eating, such as dropping food out of his mouth? Does he have a runny nose, teary eyes, or wet bottom? Do his droppings look different? Hamster droppings should be rod-shaped. Watery droppings indicate too much fresh fruits and vegetables. Hard, dry droppings indicate not enough.
Make this up as advised on the instructions. [1] X Research source
Be extremely cautious about syringing fluid into his mouth. His small size makes it likely you will flood his mouth and he may inhale the fluid, taking it down into his lungs, which can cause serious pneumonia. [2] X Research source
Make sure his bedding is clean at all times. Bedding soiled with urine gives off ammonia, which is extremely irritating to the respiratory system. Use a spoon or a scoop to spot clean any wet bedding, and make sure the cage smells clean. If you can smell urine or ammonia, then the effect is a thousand times worse for the hamster. Spot clean every day, but try to do this in such a way that it does not disturb your hamster too much and add to his stress. Check that the room temperature is within the recommended range and make adjustments accordingly. If the hamster has a sticky nose, try and wipe it clean with a damp cotton ball. This helps to keep the airway clear, which makes it more comfortable for the hamster to breath.
Another sign of dental problems is a wet chin or neck. This happens when spurs of teeth dig into the cheek or tongue, making it painful to swallow. Prevention is easier than a cure. This means you should give your hamster suitable items to chew on in order to keep his teeth short. Avoid giving too many soft foods, such as strawberries or bananas, to your hamster because they don’t need much chewing. Instead, give him dry pelleted food and a block of wood for him to gnaw on. Also give him cardboard tubes or boxes, which will keep his teeth healthy. Plus, he will love to demolish them. [3] X Research source
If your hamster has diarrhea, stop feeding him fruits and vegetables until he is better. This condition is usually caused by intestinal or stomach blockage. The best way to avoid this is to provide some alfalfa as part of his diet. Constipation is caused by lack of water in his diet. Make sure fresh water is available for him at all times. If your hamster does become constipated, give him some carrots or other fresh fruits or vegetables as well as more water. [4] X Research source
If the leg is at an odd angle but the bones are not exposed and he is eating and otherwise looks healthy, restrict him to one part of the cage for 4 weeks and take away his wheel. This forces him to rest so he doesn’t use the leg. This gives the bones the best chance of knitting together. You may also take him to the vet and let him bandage his leg, though he will likely also recommend limiting your hamster’s movements in his cage. Never give pain relief to your hamster unless prescribed for the hamster by the vet. His small size makes overdose extremely likely. [5] X Research source
Knowing these small details will help you spot any possible sickness early in your hamster if it manifests in his daily routine.
Avoid loud noises, which can also frighten your hamster. Avoid anything in the air that could put a stress on its respiratory system, such as tobacco smoke or spray air fresheners.
If you suspect this is the case, put the hamster in a hamster safe box, such as his carry case, and pop him in the airing cupboard for a few days. Hamster that went into a state of hibernation will wake with this method.
