hamster weight? any help

amyf007 · 07-22-2015, 03:05 PM

hello

My little or should I say huge Syrian hamster called Derrick is 5 or 6 months old now and in need of a little advice about his weight.

For a while I have been thinking he is getting a little chunk but I cant help find it cute but I don't want it to effect his life as he is struggling to pull himself up levels (as he is too lazy to take the long way around). when he sits up I have also noticed that he has little rolls under his arms and I don't think that's normal for a hamster or is it? this is my first Syrian only ever had dwarfs.

so anyway I have weighed him and he weighs about 236g. is that overweight or healthy?

Shannonmcn · 07-22-2015, 04:15 PM

A healthy weight for a syrian can mean anything really, they vary in size so much, weight is only really useful for watching for weight changes. If you think he's struggling to get about then it might be as well cutting back on treats or extras. What kind of diet is he on at the minute?

amyf007 · 07-22-2015, 04:23 PM

He gets 2 scoops of his food at night when he wakes up but he doesn't even eat it all when I go to refill the next night, and then before I go to bed I give his cage a few sunflower seeds to find so he has something extra to do. Other than that he doesn't really have many treats he mainly stores it all in his bed rather than eat it.
Oh and he has some veggies every now and again about 3-4 times a week

Shannonmcn · 07-22-2015, 04:37 PM

Huh. Sunflower seeds are fatty but unless he's getting mountains of them I don't think they'd be THAT bad. Does he run on his wheel normally? If he's not getting any fatty extras then maybe he's just not moving enough?

I don't think its a massive issue if he's a wee bit chunky (it IS cute) but if you're worried then maybe more playtime?

Cricetinae · 07-22-2015, 06:18 PM

Weight isn't always directly proportional to health. I've seen very heavy hamsters that were remarkably well proportioned with minimal fat, and also hamsters at a 'moderate' weight but clearly poorly built and carrying excess fat. Consequently, it's not really possible to determine if that weight is or isn't appropriate for your hamster.

However when provided with a suitable diet and a means of exercise, hamster's rarely become overweight - it's just not in their nature to overeat. Of course, small-moderate variations in metabolism can have an impact. As can chronic conditions like diabetes or hypothyroidism. Though these are rare in Syrian hamsters. Furthermore, measuring weight isn't always especially accurate. Small scales can quickly become in need of calibration, and living (moving!) things worsen the situation.

I wouldn't worry. Just ensure he has access to an appropriately sized wheel and that the food you are providing has a good macro nutrient split (carbohydrates, protein, fat) with the relevant supplements included.

amyf007 · 07-23-2015, 05:52 AM

Thank you it's been helpful to read ur comments, I was thinking he doesn't eat too much just stores it, I have noticed that when in a ball he just mainly has a walk then sits and bites te ball so last night I tried him loose in the hall and he loved it never seen him run so much so I'll try that rather than cutting back food, I love to make sure he is properly fed

So I'll work on movement instead

thank tou again

Leila0420 · 07-23-2015, 09:21 AM

Hi Amy

I've found that most hamsters don't really like running in balls that much, I suppose it's probably because they mute all their senses a bit. Letting them loose or 'free roam' seems to make them much happier and gives them the chance to smell, feel, taste and listen to new things out of their cage which is almost certainly gives them more motivation to run around!!
Like everyone else has said 236g probably means he's just a big hamster in general. As long as he's healthy and keeps up running around I don't think you have much to worry about

amyf007 · 07-23-2015, 11:22 AM

That's good then as long as he's not over weight im happy he's cute being a little chunky haha

I have wooden floor in the hallway that he is able to be free on would it be best to give it a sweep to make sure there is not dust before I let him free? He was out last night and managed to get a dirty nose from the floor just don't want that to effect him either

hamsterdan1234 · 07-26-2015, 05:09 AM

maybe feed him less treats and more food like his food mix or vegetables but don't feed him too may vegtables especially cucumbers as then he could get an upset stomach leding to diorea