Hamsters & Sickness

Hamsters are very easy to care for, and when correctly looked after and fed properly, they should remain healthy. It is important to recognize the early signs of illness in hamsters and take appropriate action or seek the advice of a veterinarian where necessary.

  1. Diarrhea

    • Diarrhea or "wet tail" in hamsters can be life threatening if left untreated. The condition is caused by too much wet food in the diet and the simplest way to treat it is to remove all fruit, vegetables and soft foods from the hamster's diet immediately, and only feed dry food. It may take a few days, but the symptoms should disappear with the correct diet, and the hamster should recover fully.

      Hamsters enjoy fresh food, but overindulgence can cause a bout of diarrhea. If you do want to feed a hamster fruit or vegetables, opt for pet-friendly dried apple and carrot snacks that have been prepared with all the beneficial vitamins but not so much moisture.

    Mites, Fleas and External Parasites

    • A hamster that scratches excessively could have skin mites or fleas. Some hamsters groom their fur after eating, so it is important not to confuse this normal behavior with sickness. Bare patches of fur or scaly skin patches are other symptoms of external parasites, and you can also see them with a magnifying glass. Fleas, mites and other parasites can be cured at home using an anti-parasite treatment. This is a vial of colorless liquid containing ivermectin and is administered by squeezing a small drop of medication onto the hamster's neck, making sure it is in direct contact with the skin.

    Roundworms and Internal Parasites

    • Signs of intestinal worms in hamsters are similar to wet tail but are accompanied by a swollen abdomen and a general appearance of looking unwell and lethargic. Small worms can be seen clearly in the hamster's feces and around the tail area if they are infected. The same ivermectin medication used for fleas and mites also treats roundworms and other internal parasites in hamsters.

    Fungal Infections

    • Fungal infections are caused by neglect when a hamster is left in a damp, dirty or unhygienic habitat without correct care.

    Broken Bones

    • Broken bones are rare, but accidents can happen. If your hamster breaks a bone you should take it to your veterinarian, but don't be surprised if he tells you to leave the bone to heal by itself. This is normal advice, and hamsters can heal well in a few weeks without a splint. A calcium supplement in the drinking water can be beneficial to enable efficient healing.