Hamsters can be a perfect pet for anyone seeking a rodent friend, but they require care and attention to ensure they stay healthy and happy. A general concern of hamster owners is the issue of their companion passing away accidentally. There are many ways this may occur, and amongst them is the common fatality of drowning.
Hamsters can easily drown in water too deep for them, even though they can swim. However, it’s not likely for a hamster to drown in their own bedding, as they naturally tend to burrow deep and are adapted to low-oxygen environments.
There are many ways to prevent drowning and assist a hamster who you believe may have had a close brush with death after spending too long in the water. It’s vital to ensure your pet lives in a safe space where this risk is not a concern.
How To Keep Your Hamster From Drowning?
If you have a water bowl that’s too deep, your hamster can drown. To avoid this, use a bottle for your hamster’s water, or only purchase a shallow bowl for the hamster to drink from.
Also, keep in mind that your hamster needs fresh water daily. Therefore, you shouldn’t add more than a small amount of water — what they’d need for the day — to their dish. That shouldn’t be enough water for them to drown in, and you’ll replace it with fresh water the next day.
How To Help a Drowned Hamster
If your hamster falls into deep water, removing them as soon as possible is vital to avoid drowning. You should immediately do the following:
- Dry them gently with a towel or a hairdryer on a very low setting.
- If the hamster isn’t moving, check for a pulse or breathing, and very carefully shake them to remove water from their body and system. You can also place the hamster on its right side.
- If your pet shows any signs of shock or illness after encountering water, head to the vet for help. Hamsters can quickly develop a cold after being in the water, so it’s crucial to ask for medical assistance to avoid your hamster’s untimely passing.
Can Hamsters Drown in Bedding?
A common question regarding hamster care is whether or not they can suffocate in their own bedding. The short answer to this question is no, they cannot.
Hamsters won’t drown in their bedding because they’re prone to burrowing deep and naturally find comfort hiding in their bedding. Hamsters may even hibernate and hide in their burrows for multiple days, but this is no cause for concern. It’s perfectly normal and healthy behavior.
However, it’s essential to use safe bedding that will not cause damage to your hamster.
Pet hamsters may hibernate for around a day if their home is too cold. Generally, a hamster hiding away isn’t associated with any significant issues. Still, if you suspect they may have a problem, it’s crucial to ensure they are safe and healthy. If your hamster shows any of the following signs, take them to the vet immediately:
- Sudden loss of appetite and thirst
- Any wound or loss of blood
- An unexplainably wet tail
- Breathing problems
A hamster may hide when injured or ill, so if your pet shows any of these symptoms, make sure to help them out and seek professional assistance.
Should You Bathe Your Hamster?
Experts generally agree that you should not bathe hamsters due to the risk of drowning and the fact that water can remove necessary natural oils from their skin and fur. In addition, it’s easy for a hamster to develop pneumonia after exposure to cold water, potentially fatal for the rodent.
However, alternative methods to cleaning your hamster are considered safer and less damaging to your pet.
How To Clean a Hamster
As hamsters can naturally clean themselves, assisting them isn’t always necessary. However, there are situations where a hamster may need to be cleaned. Suppose something is stuck in their fur that is potentially dangerous, or they have come in contact with a toxic substance. In that case, it may be necessary to give them some help.
- Ensure that whatever is dirtying your hamster isn’t easily removable. In most cases, you can easily take things like dirt out of their fur using your hands or a pair of tweezers.
- You can also use a wet wipe or slightly damp cloth to gently scrub your hamster, although this may remove the natural substances from their fur. Be cautious when cleansing your hamster of dirt, as you may accidentally injure them.
You can try a sand bath if the object or substance in the hamster’s fur is not removable. The correct steps for providing your pet with a sand bath are as follows:
- Obtain a medium-sized bowl or container. Ensure that the container is large enough for the hamster to roll around and move within it, but don’t go for something too big — the hamster may become overwhelmed or be unable to climb in and out of the bath.
- Fill the container with sand appropriate for a hamster. Avoid overfilling the container.
- Place your hamster in the sand. The hamster will move and roll around in the sand, naturally cleansing the dirt from its fur and skin.
- Remove your hamster and place it back inside its cage. The hamster should be clean and ready to return to everyday life inside its home.
If your hamster has ingested a toxic substance or you cannot remove the dirt, take them to an appropriate veterinary practice immediately for assistance. Head to an exotic vet to help your hamster, as not all normal veterinarians can treat hamsters.
Final Thoughts
Hamsters can easily drown in water, so it’s important to ensure you use a shallow bowl or water bottle when providing water to your hamster.
It’s very unlikely for a hamster to suffocate in its bedding. Hamsters enjoy burrowing and may naturally hide in their nests for hours at a time. However, if you suspect they have an illness or other condition, ensure their safety by seeking professional assistance.
Never bathe a hamster; use a safer alternative, such as a sand bath, when cleaning them if you believe it’s entirely necessary.