How to Care for Dwarf Hamster Health Problems

Even minor health problems can be a serious concern when it comes to the care of a dwarf hamster. Simple medical conditions can quickly escalate into complex problems quickly in small animals. Monitoring the health of your small pet can help catch a potential problem early and allow you to treat the condition as soon as possible. Luckily, several common dwarf hamster diseases, such as hair loss and wet tail, can be successfully treated at home, helping your hamster return to full health quickly.

Things You'll Need

  • Fresh foods
  • High quality hamster food
  • Rice
  • Yeast tablets
  • Cod-liver oil
  • Disinfecting wipes
  • Fresh water
  • Oral baby syringe
  • Pedialyte
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Instructions

  1. Hair Loss

    • 1

      Alter your hamster's diet. There are a number of reasons your hamster's hair may be falling out and often it has to do with a low immune system. Fresh fruits and vegetables can help improve your pet's immune system. Ensure you are feeding him a high quality hamster food. If you need recommendations, check with your vet or your local pet store. Mixing equal parts of the hamster feed with boiled rice is another option, or, if you prefer, use puffed rice cereal instead of boiled rice. The rice will help boost your hamster's protein intake, which can help combat hair loss.

    • 2

      Provide one crushed yeast tablet to your pet every day for four days. After the fourth day, switch to once a week until the hair loss is resolved. Make sure you choose a garlic-free tablet. The easiest way to give the tablet to your hamster is to sprinkle it over her food. Another option is to give a drop of cod-liver oil to your pet daily.

    • 3

      Ensure there are no noticeable irritants in the cage. A leaky water bottle or abrasive bedding can cause your hamster to itch, which can lead to further hair loss.

    Wet Tail

    • 4

      Contact your vet if you believe your dwarf hamster may have wet tail. Wet tail is diarrhea which can present as a damp tail or matted hair around the tail area. Wet tail is a very serious condition that can result in death if left untreated.

    • 5

      Remove all hamsters from the cage. Wet tail can be passed from animal to animal. Place sick pets in a separate cage to isolate them from healthy ones.

    • 6

      Use disinfecting wipes or sprays to clean the cage before putting any healthy hamster back in. This will help remove any bacteria in the cage and prevent it from infecting healthy animals.

    • 7

      Provide plenty of clean, fresh water for your hamster to keep her hydrated. Fresh foods can also help keep your pet hydrated. Fruits and vegetables also have water in them.

    • 8

      Use a baby oral syringe filled with a liquid child's electrolyte replacement drink to hydrate hamsters that refuse to eat and drink. Only place one to two drops into your pet's mouth at a time. Repeat feedings frequently.