Pouches stuffed

[Dancake]

Ganondorf has stuffed his cheek pouches so full of food that he cannot empty them. When I try to carefully and gently massage the food out just enough so that he can get the rest out on his own, he tries his best to run off. I let him go hide because I do not want to scare him and ruin our developing relationship, although I check on him about every fifteen minutes. What else can I do to help him?

Next time I fill his bowl, I will not put enough in it to stuff his cheeks all the way. I did not even realize that I had put so much in.

I have had this happen to a couple hamsters before with various things like toys and bedding, so I do have a bit of experience and know how to get the food out, but Ganondorf is not cooperating like the other hamsters did.

[hrl20100]

I once had a hamster who would get compacted cheek pouches. She couldn't empty them either, but she hadn't filled them up as much as possible. She just couldn't get the food out.
We massaged her cheeks and then eventually the food came out, in a clump, that stunk so bad! But she was fine, it happened to her a few times in her life thinking about it now...

[hrl20100]

Impacted Cheek Pouches - How to Take Care of a Hamster

[racinghamster]

Hi Dancake. If he won`t or can`t empty his pouches, a vet would need to do it. Sometimes they will rub their cheek below the ear and the area will become red and sore with some hair loss, so if he`s doing this but the food isn`t being expelled, I would see a vet. Small seeds (especially oat groats or anything with a jagged edge) can become lodged. What mix is he fed on?

How long have his pouches looked full?

[Dancake]

We fixed it after some hours.

[racinghamster]

Very good. Just make sure he doesn`t get too much food in his dish to pouch for a week or so and little and often might be better for the moment until you know his pouches are clean/clear. x