Very Dark Urine-is it something to worry about?

Hammie · 04-01-2010, 03:41 AM

Just wanted to ask your advice really as it has been a few years since I owned hamsters.

Smudge's urine is very brown and quite thick and sticky almost. It has been like this since I got him really so I thought maybe dark brown is the colour it should be but reading around suggests this may not be the case. I have started to notice it more as he is using an area without sawdust to urinate in. I am cleaning it now and then I will keep an eye on it but should it be a very light color? Could this be something to worry about?

Thanks for your help

souffle · 04-01-2010, 03:47 AM

Hamster urine is normally a very concentrated sort of thick, opaque fluid which can go browing when exposed to the air and mixed with shavings etc. This is normal as they are desert animals and have efficient kidneys.
If it seems bloodstained though or smells abnormally bad he could have a urine infection but they usually seem quite unwell with this. Sounds like he is OK if nothing has changed.

fluffymunchkins · 04-01-2010, 03:50 AM

i've never experienced urine like this myself
Is smudge drinking a lot more lately?
He could possible have a bladder or kidney infection like souffle said.

keep a close eye out for blood in the urine and if you spot this g to the vets asap!o

froggy901 · 04-01-2010, 06:12 AM

hamster urine should come out a bit like diluted bannana milkshake (sorry to put anyone off their drinks, but was the best I could think of!), but as said above, will go brown and sticky once it's started to dry, which might be when you're finding it. To be on the safe side, you might find it useful to put him in a plastic tub for a little bit until he wees, then you can compare the fresh stuff to what you've found and hopefully it'll look a little more healthy!

Hammie · 04-01-2010, 07:50 AM

Thanks for the advice guys, I just wanted to check that he was ok. He hasn't been drinking more than usual - in fact he hardly seems to drink at all which may be part of the problem. There isn't any blood in it which is good.

Good idea about the plastic tub - I'll give that a go.

Thanks again