Drinking water is essential to your hamster’s survival. Even though hamsters come from arid places, it’s a mistake to think they can go for long periods without water. But what if your hamster doesn’t seem to drink water at all?
Hamsters may refuse to drink water if they are sick, injured, or stressed. Another reason could be that they are not comfortable drinking from their water bowl or bottle. If your hamster is showing signs of dehydration, you must consult with a veterinarian immediately.
There are many ways to ensure your hamster gets the water they need. The rest of this article will suggest steps you can take to determine if your hamster is getting enough water. In addition, it will discuss what you can do to make sure that your hamster stays healthy and hydrated.
Why Is My Dwarf Hamster Not Drinking Water?
Dwarf hamsters may not drink water if they are stressed from changes in the environment or if they are ill or injured. Introducing new cage mates, malfunctioning water bottles, and hostility from other hamsters may affect their desire or ability to drink water.
In the case of larger pet Syrian hamsters, one reason for not drinking water is that they are preparing for hibernation. Syrian hamsters will prepare for hibernation if their cage is in a cold environment. Dwarf hamsters, on the other hand, do not hibernate.
Due to their size, dwarf hamsters need just a tiny amount of water every day. Your dwarf hamster might be drinking water regularly even though it might appear that the amount of water in the hamster’s water bottle isn’t changing. If you’re using a water bottle in your hamster cage, try marking the water level with a dry-erase marker every day to see if the water level is moving down.
What You Need To Know About Dwarf Hamsters
Dwarf hamsters are members of the genus Phodopus. They are referred to as dwarf hamsters because they are smaller than other hamsters. However, there are other differences between these hamsters and other hamsters.
Unlike other hamsters in the family Cricetidae, who are solitary crepuscular animals (meaning they are most active at dusk), dwarf hamsters are nocturnal, active all year, and can live in groups (unlike Syrian hamsters, which must be caged alone).
Dwarf hamsters, like their larger cousins, the Syrian hamsters, come from arid desert climates. Still, this does not mean they can go without drinking water for long periods. In fact, the opposite is true. Because their bodies are so small and they process the water they drink so quickly, dwarf hamsters need water every day.
How Can I Tell if My Pet Hamster Is Dehydrated?
Hamsters who have stopped drinking water can begin showing signs of dehydration within a few hours. These signs include:
- Sunken eyes
- Labored breathing
- Lethargy
- Loose skin
Another way to determine that your hamster is dehydrated is to gently pinch and then release the skin at the scruff of its neck. If the skin slowly falls back to its normal position, your hamster is dehydrated.
Dehydration in hamsters is a serious medical condition. It requires prompt veterinary care, often involving the administration of intravenous fluids to help address the problem as quickly as possible.
What Do I Do if My Hamster Is Not Drinking Water?
If your hamster is not drinking water, try replacing or changing its water container. Some hamsters also dislike the taste of tap water, so consider filling your hamster’s water container with distilled water. Make sure your pet is in a clean, safe, and stress-free environment.
You can try several methods to get your hamster to drink water. Keep in mind, however, that you have a limited time to get your hamster to start drinking. Hamsters can only survive a short time without water. You can buy time by increasing the water-containing food you feed your hamster, such as fruits and certain vegetables.
Replace/Change the Water Container
There are many ways to give your hamster water. Some pet owners use chew-proof water bottles with sipping tubes. Sometimes, these tubes can malfunction, making it difficult for hamsters to get water out of them. If your hamster is having difficulty drinking from one of these bottles, remove it to check for damage and replace the bottle if necessary. Also, consider switching to a water bowl.
If you have an active hamster using a water bowl, your hamster might be contaminating the water with soiled bedding, leftover food, and other substances in the cage. Be sure to inspect the water bowl every day and ensure that it is free of contaminants and full of fresh and clean water. If it is too difficult to keep the water bowl clean and full, consider getting a water bottle instead.
Change the Type of Water
Generally, hamsters have no problem drinking tap water. However, just like people, some hamsters might dislike the taste of tap water. If your water delivery system is fine, consider changing the type of water your hamster is receiving. Distilled water is an excellent option for hamsters because it is free of many of the impurities found in tap water.
Make Sure Your Hamster’s Cage Is Clean
If your hamster’s cage is dirty, your hamster might be getting sick and no longer able to drink water. Give your hamster’s cage a thorough cleaning, preferably with a solution of mild soap and water or vinegar and water. Avoid harsh chemicals that might affect your hamster’s respiratory system.
Reduce Your Hamster’s Stress
Recently-adopted hamsters have a lot of new things to get used to. There’s a new cage to live in, different food, a new water bottle, and you! It’s a lot for a hamster. You can help your new hamster acclimate by giving her some alone time in a quiet, stress-free environment. Chances are good that your hamster will eventually begin to feel more comfortable and start eating and drinking.
Keep Your Hamster in a Warm (Not Hot) Environment
Syrian hamsters who are kept in colder environments might begin to hibernate. This type of hibernation is known as facultative hibernation. Facultative hibernation occurs when certain animals (including Syrian hamsters) are cold-stressed or food-deprived. When hibernation occurs, hamsters will stop eating and drinking.
Take Your Hamster to the Veterinarian
If your hamster is not drinking water, you only have a day or so to figure out why and try different methods to get your hamster to start drinking water again. Hamsters cannot go more than 48 hours without water, or they will die. The veterinarian can administer fluids intravenously while determining why your hamster has stopped drinking water.
What Are the Best Options for Keeping My Hamster Hydrated?
Preventing dehydration is critical for maintaining your hamster’s good health. There are several steps you can take to keep your hamster hydrated and healthy, thus avoiding the stress and expense of a visit to the vet.
Keep Your Hamster Supplied With Fresh Water
Your hamster can’t stay hydrated if you forget to fill the water bottle! If you are using a bottle, make sure it is clean and always full of fresh water. In addition, make sure that the stopper mechanism on the bottle is working properly. If it’s clogged or otherwise malfunctioning, your hamster won’t be able to access the water.
If you use a bowl or dish to supply water to your hamster, pay attention to how clean it is. Sometimes dishes and bowls can become contaminated with soiled bedding, food scraps, and urine. Likewise, when using a water bowl, make sure the sides are not so high that your hamster can’t get to the water inside.
Give Your Hamster Fresh Produce
If your veterinarian approves, try giving your hamster the occasional treat of fresh produce. Treats like cucumbers, melons, and apples, for example, have high water content and can help your hamster stay hydrated. Be careful, however, not to feed your hamster citrus or other acidic fruits. These types of fruit can give your hamster diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration.
Also, keep in mind that all fruits contain sugar, and too much sugar isn’t healthy for your hamster. Giving your hamster fruit more than three or four times a week can lead to diabetes in your hamster. In addition, be mindful to remove any uneaten produce after 24 hours to avoid spoilage.
Don’t Allow Your Hamster To Overheat
Most pet hamsters are Syrian or dwarf hamsters that come from cold areas during the hamsters’ normal waking hours. When hamsters are kept in warm, sunny areas of the house, they can become dehydrated and even contract heat stroke. It’s important to ensure that the hamster’s cage is not kept in direct sunlight.
Final Thoughts
Hamsters, like all living creatures, need water to survive. Dehydration in hamsters is a severe condition that requires prompt veterinary attention. Knowing the signs of dehydration and taking action right away can save your hamster’s life.
Luckily, there are several things you can do to ensure that your hamster stays healthy and hydrated. Your hamster is a great pet. With proper care, you can enjoy his or her company for as long as possible.