Prepping for elder care

quisp65 · 11-25-2019, 07:03 AM

Since Fluffy is hitting the big 2.0, I'm preparing for elder care. He hopefully has just recovered for an eye infection but I expect more end of life processes soon.

In regards to water and cage space.

Cagespace: I got a 1500 sq inch acrylic cage and I've heard you sometime have to reduce care size, which I really don't want to do. I was thinking just piling up a mound of carefresh in the middle of the cage and putting the food and water bowl around the mound. If the outside of the cage is completely without bedding I would think Fluffy would stay with the bedding mound.

Water: In regards to keeping Fluffy hydrated.... mashed up food with water might be enough for hydration, but I was going to switch to a water bowl that would work well for an elder hamster. You think the parakeet dispenser bowl linked below would work? I worry many bowls an elder hamster might drown in.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....L._SL1276_.jpg

LunaTheHamster1 · 11-25-2019, 07:12 AM

Not sure what type of hamster you have got, but re water bowls have you thought of a small ramekin dish or tea light holder.
I see you are in the states but these are what I use for medicine with my hamsters, I think they would work well for water, shallow enough. and small enough. Maybe you could find something similar near where you live.
https://groceries.asda.com/product/c.../1000065437876

I'm not sure how well that water dispenser would work, but maybe somebody else on here has tried something similar. My initial thought is that when I had a budgie it was only his beak that got into the water, but that dispenser may be bigger and easier for a hamster, I'm not sure.

quisp65 · 11-25-2019, 07:32 AM

I have a Winter White.

...yea maybe I should keep it simple and just get a real shallow bowl. It's not a good time to fool around with something fancy or different.

Fluffy is still doing his wheel and still using his water bottle, so I'm preparing a bit early. Just thinking ahead since I might not figure out stuff as well when I'm more saddened by Fluffy's change.