Hamsters are great little pets and are easy to keep. However, like any pet, once you have a hamster, you can’t just go on vacation without making arrangements for their care. Although hamsters are hardy, they need a certain amount of water every day to survive.
A Syrian hamster can survive three to four days without water, but dehydration will occur after only 24 hours. However, they don’t need much! Syrian hamsters require about three teaspoons (15 mL) of water per day, depending on their size and weight. Females will need more than males.
This article will explore how long Syrian hamsters can survive without water. I will also include details about signs of dehydration in hamsters and other related questions.
How Much Water Does a Syrian Hamster Need To Drink Every Day?
A Syrian hamster needs to drink approximately ⅓ fl oz (10 mL) of water per 3.5 ounces (99 g) of weight per day. A typical adult Syrian hamster weighs about 1 ounce (28 g) per inch of body. So, a 6-inch (15 cm) hamster weighs about 6 ounces (170 g) and needs about ½ oz (14 mL) of water per day.
However, most hamster water bottles hold far more water than a hamster can drink in a day, so you will only need to worry about precise measurements like this if your hamster cannot drink on its own and must be fed water by hand. This would only be the case for very sick, injured, or elderly hamsters.
If you do need to feed your hamster water by hand, use a small syringe with mL markings on the side and weigh your hamster on a kitchen scale to know exactly how much to give them.
Note: Never give your hamster the full day’s water at once. If they are already severely dehydrated, feed them a few drops at a time in half-hour increments.
How Can You Tell if a Hamster Is Dehydrated?
You can tell if a hamster is dehydrated by checking its mucous membranes, eyes, skin, and behavior. Dehydration will appear as dry membranes and sunken eyes. Its skin may be loose, and its body may look thinner than normal. Extreme dehydration results in labored breathing and lethargy.
In cases of mild dehydration, many of these symptoms will be absent or difficult to identify. However, you can still check for dehydration by doing a skin pinch test. Gently pinch the skin on your hamster’s back and lift it.
If the animal is well-hydrated, the skin will immediately fall back into place. Dehydrated skin will stay in the pinched position or move back into place slowly. The slower it moves, the more dehydrated the hamster.
You should bring a dehydrated hamster to the vet immediately. However, if your hamster is showing no other symptoms (i.e., they are still active and eating normally), you should investigate their environment and check their water bottle.
There are several reasons your hamster may refuse to drink water. Stress, a malfunctioning water bottle, and dirty water are top among them.
How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Water?
You should change your hamster’s water daily, even if you use a water bottle with more than a day’s water. Each time a hamster drinks, its saliva contaminates the water with bacteria, which continue to grow inside the bottle. If you use a bowl, you should change the water twice daily.
While water bowls are sometimes more appealing for hamsters because they represent a more natural way of drinking (i.e., as they would drink in the wild), water bowls get dirty much faster than water bottles. Hamsters may inadvertently foul the water with their droppings, food, and bedding, making it undrinkable.
Some hamsters are pickier than others, but most will not drink dirty water. If you don’t change the water at least once a day, chances are your hamster will become dehydrated from refusing to drink the dirty water.
What To Do With Your Hamster While You’re on Vacation
It may be tempting to leave your hamster alone with a giant water bottle and a mound of food while you vacation, but you may return to a dead hamster.
Even if your hamster doesn’t run out of food or water, there’s no telling what could happen while you’re away. For this reason, it’s best to get someone to watch your hamster for you, especially if you’re going to be gone longer than a day or two.
Of course, sometimes finding someone to take your hamster home for a few days isn’t possible. In those cases, you can ask a friend or neighbor to stop by once a day to check on your hamster and refresh its food and water. If you can’t ask anyone to do that, I recommend hiring a sitter or paying for a pet hotel.
If none of the above are possible for you, my final suggestion is to get a nanny cam or webcam and set it up to watch your hamster’s cage. That way, if something happens, you can call a friend or family member to come and check on the animal.
Conclusion
Syrian hamsters can survive three to four days without water, but dehydration will set in quickly and may result in severe illness or injury. The average adult Syrian hamster must drink around ½ ounce (10-14 mL) of water daily. However, they may refuse to drink if their water is dirty or if they are stressed, injured, or sick.
When you leave for vacation, it’s best to ensure your hamster will be looked after by a caring friend or family member to avoid mishaps in your absence.