Before I go into treating your sick hamster at home, I need to add a caveat that wherever possible you should seek medical attention for a poorly pet. That being said not everyone has the money or the access to an exotic vet that can see your hamster at short notice, so I’ve made written this article for anyone who needs help with their poorly hamster.
How to Treat a Sick Hamster at Home
There are quite a few ways your hamster can be poorly. Unfortunately, hamsters aren’t the most robust of creatures, so it’s important to act fast if you notice something is wrong.
Below are some of the more common problems a hamster may struggle with.
My Hamster is Cold and Not Waking Up
This is a really common issue in the winter months if the temperature in your living room drops. Hamsters are warm climate creatures and if it gets too cold for them, they can enter into a state of torpor. This is where they become cold and still, but you can see that they are breathing.
Often this state is confused with hibernation, but hamsters don’t hibernate and torpor can be dangerous for them. If you think this might be what your hamster is experiencing, then warm them up very slowly. I’d advise against disturbing them, just move their cage near a heat source.
It goes without saying (but I’ll say it anyway), make sure your hamster is safe near the heat source. Parking the cage next to a radiator doesn’t bring much danger, but an open flame is a different story! Safety first!
My Hamster Has a Huge Bottom
If your hamster has a huge bottom all of a sudden it can be quite shocking to see. It’s also one of the most common concerns first-time hamster owners have.
Luckily, if your hamster looks like he has a huge growth on his bottom, it’s probably just his balls. You see, hamsters have unfeasibly large testicles. They look quite alarming in comparison to the overall size of the hamster and lots of pet-owners become worried. The size of your hamsters balls seems to related to the weather and if it’s hot out, that bulge gets much bigger!
So 99% of the time, a massive growth on your hamster’s bottom is going to be his balls. On occasion, it can be something more sinister, and if that’s the case, you’ll see a growth that looks uneven. It might be hard to touch, or discolored and if you are concerned then it’ll need a vert visit. For reference, I’ve included a picture above of some totally normal hamster testicles. If your hamster’s looks like that, then you’re probably fine.
My Hamster isn’t Eating
Hamsters are prey animals and because of this, they are naturally secretive and skittish. Some hamsters will only eat when they are alone, so you might never see your hamster eat! If you have reason to suspect they’re off their food (for example, if they’re losing weight), then you definitely need to investigate.
The first port of call is to check if you’ve changed their brand of food or if the food manufacturer has changed the recipe. It could be as simple as their lunch is just not appetising.
Next, you should try to tempt them with their favourite food. Perhaps a little bit of porridge, cheese or mealworms. If they eat their treats, then their hunger strike isn’t a medical issue and you just need to figure out what they like.
You can buy some Critical Care powder for hamster from most pet shops. This is something you can give to small pets, you just mix it with water and feed it out of a syringe (don’t force feed it). If you hamster eats this way but no other way then you really do need to look at booking a vet appointment as it could mean your hamster is in pain.
My Hamster is Sneezing
Weirdly enough, hamsters can catch human cold viruses and this makes them sneeze. Hamsters will usually sneeze for two reasons – 1, your hamster has a respiratory infection and 2, your hamster is allergic to its bedding.
It’s more likely that your hamster has an allergy than it’s ill though, as hamsters live alone so can’t catch infections off other hamsters, and responsible pet owners tend to steer clear of their favorite little rodents when they’re ill.
Also, it’s really common for hamsters to have allergies to their beddings or substrate. But the wrong type of wood shavings, and your hamster will suffer. Sawdust should never be used in a hamster’s enclosure – despite what some pet shops might tell you. Ideally you should use kiln dried pine shavings to minimize the risk of allergy.
If it is a respiratory infection, they often get better on their own but if it carries on for more that two weeks and you’ve checked it’s not an allergy – your hamster might need antibiotics.
My Hamster Has Lost it Hair/ Has Scabby Skin
Hamsters with skin conditions can be hard to treat at home because you might be dealing with a parasite. It can be difficult to tell whether your hamster is scabby because his skin is the problem or because he’s got mites.
Now, you can buy treatments for mites and mange in hamsters online. Naqua vet strength treatment is available on Amazon Prime and other treatments are available on other brand websites if you don’t mind waiting for the post.
If you treat your hamster for mites and thoroughly cleanse your hamsters habitat but his skin still doesn’t improve, it might be time to crack out the coconut oil. Sometimes hamsters lose their hair for reasons unknown and the skin that’s left is very sensitive. If you hamster becomes hairless, then you have to treat him like a hairless hamster – and that means oiling him.
Hairless hamster require oiling a couple of times a month, but if your hamster’s skin is sore and dry you should try to oil the affected areas twice a week to keep him comfortable.
It’s worth noting hamsters can start to lose their hair if they are getting old or are stressed. If your hamster loses hair on his nose and he lives in a cage with bars, it suggests he’s been chewing the bars. Bar chewing is sign of stress and frustration, and it could mean his enclosure is too small or too boring. Consider upgrading his living space and adding toys for entertainment.
My Hamster is Bleeding
A bleeding animal is never good, but whether you can treat him at home or not depends on the amount of blood they are losing. Common hamster injuries that end in blood loss seem to come from them trapping toes. It’s not usual for them to get a little pinky stuck in a wheel or on an unsuitable toy.
If your hamster is bleeding a small amount, say on his foot, then you probably don’t need to do anything. However, if you want to speed up the drying process, you can dab some cornflower on the wound and it’ll stem the flow and encourage scabbing.
If your hamster has a bigger wound, then it’s an emergency situation and you do need to speak to a vet. Hamsters don’t have a lot of blood to lose, so they don’t often make it if they have a deep wound.
My Hamster Has Diarrhea
This is another common problem with hamsters, but sadly the outlook is never good. I’ve only heard of a handful of hamsters that have recovered from a bout of diarrhea, but it’s still important to try and help them recover.
Generally, the diarrhea is a symptom and not the illness, so there’s usually something else going on. Diarrhea is often mistakenly diagnosed as ‘wet tail’, which isn’t a catch-all phrase for loose stools in hamsters, instead it’s actually a problem specific to juvenile Syrian hamsters.
If you went to a vet they’d advise plenty or fluids and feeding your hamster Critical Care, so that should be your first port of call. It’s worth giving them a small amount frequently so you can help them keep the area clean too. It also gives you chance to remove any soiled bedding.
As I’ve mentioned, the outlook isn’t good for diarrhea in hamsters, but at least you can keep fed, hydrated and comfortable while you hope to see them through it.
Final Thoughts on Treating Your Sick Hamster at Home
Hopefully I’ve covered everything you might need to know about caring for a sick hamster without a vet. The advice still stands that you really should see a vet when possible if your hamster appears to be ill. I’m aware that not everyone will have access to a vet that can deal with a poorly hamster, or the funds to consult a vet if they need to.
If I’ve missed anything from this article, please let me know. I’m speaking as an experienced hamster owner and not a medical professional, so please know I’ve just shared my knowledge (which will have some limitations).