To create a happy home for your hamster, you should always take care of the basics of hamster care, such as a spacious and clean cage, clean water, healthy food, and toys. Water is essential and should always be available, but how often should you change it?
You should change your hamster’s water every day. A daily change of water ensures that algae, bacteria, and other germs do not develop in the container. Further, the daily habit will help you quickly notice when your hamster has significantly changed its drinking habits.
In this article, I will explore why your hamster needs its water changed every day. I will also tell you how much water you should expect your pet to drink and what you should do when you notice a significant change in its daily water consumption.
How Long Can You Leave a Hamster’s Water?
As a general rule, you shouldn’t leave your hamster’s water for longer than a day. The longer you take to change the water, the higher the likelihood that it’ll pose a risk to the hamster.
Below are the reasons why:
The Water Bottle Can Become a Home to Harmful Bacteria
Moist and damp surfaces under room temperature provide the perfect breeding grounds for microbes such as bacteria, fungi, and mold. When you leave any water bottle unwashed for a long time, you’ll notice the formation of a slimy coating on it. This slimy coating is known as biofilm and is the natural home of these microbes.
You should clean your hamster’s water bottle frequently so the biofilm doesn’t form. Once the pathogens establish themselves in the biofilm, they are tough to eliminate. The regular disinfectants you have in your house are unlikely to do the trick.
The Water Becomes Flat After a Day or Two
After sitting in an open container for a day, water becomes stale with a bland taste. Just as you would notice the change in the taste of the water and drink less of it, your hamster will also react the same way. Hamsters are very active animals, with some running up to five miles (8.05 km) a day. They, therefore, need to stay hydrated to lead an active and healthy lifestyle.
You Will Quickly Notice When Your Hamster Isn’t Drinking Water
When you get into the habit of changing your hamster’s water every day, you’ll learn its water consumption behavior and notice when there’s a significant change. A hamster will die of dehydration within three to four days without water. You should address any problem affecting its ability to drink water as soon as possible.
Whenever you find the water bottle empty or the water level unchanged since the last time you filled it, you should immediately check if your hamster has developed any visible signs of dehydration. Some of the symptoms of dehydration you should check for include the following:
- Lethargy
- A lack of urine
- Dark-colored urine
- Foul-smelling urine
- Sunken eyes
- Swollen tongue
Another way to check for dehydration is to pinch the hamster gently. The skin will quickly return to its position in an adequately hydrated hamster. If the skin takes longer than expected to return to its usual position, your hamster is likely dehydrated.
If the dehydration was caused by them running out of water or because the water bottle malfunctioned, you can quickly rehydrate the hamster by making water available again. In addition to their water bottle, consider giving them a water bowl as well. See a vet as soon as possible if the dehydration is due to any other reason outside of your control.
How Often Should You Refill Hamster Water?
You should refill your hamster water every day. Hamsters need a fresh supply of water daily in a clean container. Ensure that the water bottle is clean at every refill.
As long as you provide your hamster with a change of water every day, it should be fine. You do not have to fill the bottle or bowl every time the water level drops. If you want to track your pet’s water intake without having to refill the water, there is the option to get a bottle with level markings.
Can I Leave a Bowl of Water for My Hamster?
You can leave a bowl of water for a hamster. Drinking from a bowl mimics how a hamster would naturally drink water in the wild. When using a bowl, set it up correctly to prevent the water from spilling over.
Some hamster owners prefer to have both a water bottle and a bowl of water available for their pets. Some people prefer bowls because they’re simple to use, durable, and easy to clean. If you decide to use a bowl, take the following precautions when setting it up:
- Use a wide, shallow bowl. A wide shallow bowl will reduce the risk of your hamster drowning and ensure enough water is available to keep it hydrated.
- Use a heavy bowl that cannot easily tip over. The bowl should be heavy enough to support the hamster’s weight without tipping over when standing on the edge.
- Change the water and clean the bowl regularly. Water in an open bowl is more prone to contamination than water in a bottle. Cleaning the bowl and changing the water will ensure that your pet has a constant safe water supply.
How Much Water Does a Healthy Hamster Drink Every Day?
A hamster will drink about 8.5 mL (0.29 fl. oz) of water for every 100 g (3.53 oz) of its body weight. This consumption rate is more of a guide than a rule because there will be variances based on gender and species. Because this guidance is based on weight, you can apply it to your hamster regardless of age and size.
Keep in mind that male hamsters don’t need as much water as their female counterparts, on average. In some species, such as Syrian hamsters, the female’s water intake is almost double what the male drinks in a day.
Final Thoughts
Hamsters need a constant supply of clean water to stay healthy. You should change your hamster’s water daily and clean the bottle or bowl they’re drinking from so that harmful microbes don’t develop.
An additional benefit of changing the water frequently is that you can tell when your hamster is not drinking normally and take appropriate action before its health deteriorates further.