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Old 07-14-2018, 10:55 AM   #1
Natasha95
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Default Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

My hamster has been getting constipated for about a month, so I decided to take him to the vet today. She told me hamsters don't really get constipated, and that they're herbivores so I shouldn't be feeding him any mealworms. She said that I should just be giving him lab blocks and this critical care supplement by syringe. I'm confused because I thought hamsters were omnivores and liked fresh food (I give him pieces of carrot, banana, and strawberry, and a couple of unsalted nuts every few days). I've also been mixing his lab blocks with seed mixes because he doesn't usually eat the lab blocks and just hides them. Have I been feeding him wrong? He's 15 months old and hasn't had a problem with his bowels until now, and I've been feeding him the same way for over a year.
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Old 07-14-2018, 11:53 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

You're quite right, hams are omnivores & it is important for them to have some animal protein as well as variety in their diet & foods they can forage like seeds.
It doesn't sound as though you're vet is very experienced with hamsters, could you possibly see another vet?
If you haven't changed his diet & he's been ok until recently then it does sound as though something else is going on.
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Old 07-14-2018, 12:58 PM   #3
WinnieTheHam
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

Like Cypher said, if possible please try and find an exotics vet. Hamsters are classed as an exotic species, so ideally you need an exotics vet to understand their issues correctly (and the species they're dealing with correctly!).

Pumpkin is good for constipation. I would personally up the amount of fresh veggies you feed. It might be a good idea to also purchase some probiotic powder (you just sprinkle a little bit onto their veggies). It helps keep the good bacteria in their gut and aid in digestion. It has been quite warm recently and I know dehydration can cause constipation. Keep an eye on his water intake and maybe offer some extra cucumber just to ensure he is staying hydrated.
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Old 07-16-2018, 09:19 AM   #4
Natasha95
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

Unfortunately, I live in the middle of nowhere, and this was the only vet I could find that treats hamsters and is taking new clients. But I've gotten better advice here than I did from her. I bought Bene-Bac Plus for hamsters the other day, so I'm starting that treatment. I also started giving him peas because that used to help my fish with her bowl movements. I'm going to make sure he's staying hydrated as well and try giving him some cucumber (which he's never actually tried so I hope he likes it).

He's gotten a little better already. I've found more, normal sized stools in his cage. He's still a bit lethargic, though, but I wonder if that could also be because he's getting older. There are nights when he's as active as the day I brought him home, and nights when he wants nothing to do with me and keeps taking naps.
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Old 07-16-2018, 05:19 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

If he's getting older I would just feed him whatever he likes It's important to keep giving a hamster mix with variety, not just for the variety but to help keep their teeth from getting long - they need hard food and they can get teeth problems when they get older. Fresh food and mealworms are fine too as extras. Lab block on it's own isn't enough even with seeds - a basic hamster muesli is ideal. Hazel Hamster is fine and contains all the nutrients and roughage needed and hamsters seem to like it. Its a good hard mix and the pieces are a good size.

I'm just wondering why you think your hamster may be constipated? It is not usual for them to get constipated. I rarely find poops in the cage for our Syrian - I think he buries them with his hoard!
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Old 07-17-2018, 05:07 PM   #6
Natasha95
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I'm just wondering why you think your hamster may be constipated? It is not usual for them to get constipated. I rarely find poops in the cage for our Syrian - I think he buries them with his hoard!
I thought he was constipated because I've been finding poop that's long and almost looks like a string of beads, if that makes sense. And on those nights, there's no other poop in his cage, and he's hunched over in the corner not wanting to be touched and barely touching his food. Then on nights when he's more active and eating more, there's normal poop all over his cage. So I figured those weird nights indicated constipation.
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Old 07-18-2018, 07:48 AM   #7
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

Is he doing ok now? Being hunched over can be a sign he's in pain. Just keep an eye on things and feed him whatever he fancies As well as regular hamster food. If he's older they can start to have difficulty eating if they have toothache or the front teeth get a bit long so try and have a look at his front teeth when he yawns next time. Sometimes they need some supplements or some soft food like baby food when they're older and have teeth problems but it's important to put hard food out as well to help keep their teeth trim (plus they like hoarding it). 4 months baby food is usually ok (ie without spices, onion or tomato). I used to put it in a little lid from the baby food jar and our hammy loved licking it up. Pumpkin and chicken was his favourite.

Hemp seeds are also full of just about every nutrient there is so I used to put those out in a little baby food lid every few days too.
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:26 PM   #8
Natasha95
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

He is doing a lot better! I've been giving him bene-bac probiotics (you're supposed to use it every other day for a week and then once a week for maintenance), and giving him a little bit of the critter care formula the vet gave me, and I started giving him some cucumber (which he loves), and he's pooping more and it's all normal, and he's a lot more active. I wonder if he was dehydrated. I'm also sticking to the food he's been eating (lab blocks and seed mix, and then a treat of mealworms and fresh fruits and vegetables every couple days). He's back to his old self
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Old 07-18-2018, 09:36 PM   #9
Natasha95
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
If he's older they can start to have difficulty eating if they have toothache or the front teeth get a bit long so try and have a look at his front teeth when he yawns next time. Sometimes they need some supplements or some soft food like baby food when they're older and have teeth problems but it's important to put hard food out as well to help keep their teeth trim (plus they like hoarding it). 4 months baby food is usually ok (ie without spices, onion or tomato). I used to put it in a little lid from the baby food jar and our hammy loved licking it up. Pumpkin and chicken was his favourite.

Hemp seeds are also full of just about every nutrient there is so I used to put those out in a little baby food lid every few days too.
He's not that old, only about 15 months, but I will definitely keep those tips in mind for the future. Thank you!
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Old 07-19-2018, 11:23 AM   #10
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Default Re: Vet Says I'm Not Feeding My Hamster Right?

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Originally Posted by Natasha95 View Post
He's back to his old self
Great to hear he is back to his normal self!
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