Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 06-03-2017, 11:56 AM   #1
jojono7
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
Default Elderly hamster

I took my hamster to the vet and he is looking much better. The vet said he is an elderly hamster. He told me to give him vitamins every day and puree his food. I'm new to having an elderly hamster so any advice?
jojono7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 12:28 PM   #2
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Elderly hamster

Did the vet say how to give vitamins? It's not a good idea to put anything in their water as it can put them off drinking.

It's important to keep giving them the normal hamster mix as well as soft food and supplements. I used to put out a bit of normal dry hamster mix (sometimes they still like pouching it even if they don't eat much), some soaked hamster mix (pour a bit of boiled water on it and let it cool before you put the dish out), some baby food in an egg cup (I pushed the egg cup down into the substrate so it didn't fall over).

Hemp seeds are a good supplement as well as they contain every vitamin and mineral there is. I used to put some of those out once or twice a week.

With baby food you need to get the age 4 months ones - these usually don't have anything in unsuitable for hamsters, but you still need to check the ingredients. Avoid anything with tomatoes, onion, garlic or spices really. I found there were 3 or 4 flavours that were hamster safe, and gave a different one every couple of days. It was very popular!

You could also move his food and water nearer to his nest if he has any walking difficulties. But maybe not yet if he is getting about ok.

Make sure there are no levels or anything he could climb and fall from. So you might need to rearrange the cage slightly so everything is at floor level. Try not to do that at the same time as a clean out as even if it is a bit of a change, at least everything will smell familiar.

The other reason you still put some hard food out is, they do still eat a bit sometimes and it helps keep their teeth worn down. One of the problems of old age when they can't eat so well is their teeth can get overgrown, so still put a chew out as well.
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 12:47 PM   #3
jojono7
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Canada
Posts: 32
Default Re: Elderly hamster

The vitamins are liquid droplets. And thanks for the reply!
jojono7 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 09:42 PM   #4
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Elderly hamster

You might find this thread helpful.
Feeding Hamsters with Missing Teeth or Who Are Elderly
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-03-2017, 10:00 PM   #5
Thin Lizzy
Hamster Warrior
 
Thin Lizzy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Lanarkshire, Scotland
Posts: 15,575
Default Re: Elderly hamster

Glad your hamster is feeling better.
__________________
Mom To Gorgeous Noah
Over The Rainbow Bridge - Master Harvey 2 years & 5 months, Twinkle 'The Diva' 1 year & 8 months, Archie 2 years & 3 months & Xena 2 years & 9 months. Forever loved by T-Liz.
Thin Lizzy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 06-04-2017, 01:28 AM   #6
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Elderly hamster

SKB's thread is excellent! (The one Cypher linked). I forgot to add that scrambled egg goes down well sometimes as well. Erin's Hamsters also has a video on feeding elderly hamsters.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8JLI7ghwLA

I also did a video on our cage set up for an elderly hamster if that helps

https://www.youtube.com/edit?o=U&video_id=NIxHqvr9wTY
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
day, elderly, food, hamster, vet

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 11:22 AM.