Is your hamster diabetic?

[Hamtastic]

It is hard for me to say if they drink too much, because there are 2 of them in the cage, and one water bottle, so I hear it regularly, but it could be both of them drinking. As for the urine... that's a problem for me to identify. It does not show up on the bedding. I think they pee on their wheels too, but I only see it after it's dried when they are off to sleep.

Thank you for the reassurance.

[SnickersTheFirst]

I'd say that if they were peeing excessively you'd be able to see it on the bedding more often. Once you find their pee spot you can test it to reassure yourself.

[Goliath]

what can really be done for diabetes anyway?

[Hamtastic]

A change in diet, as I understand it.

[SnickersTheFirst]

Yes, it's basically a diet change. Normally with sugar removed but it depends on which type it is.

[KatiePillow]

Since I have 3 hybrids and a chinese I have decided I will systematically test them using keto-dystix.
I hope none of them have it, but I'd rather catch it early.
Only issue is that the blasted company I ordered them from has only just dispatched them *sigh*

[laura]

I just wanted to add that the pee smell can be so sweet smelling that it's kind of pleasant (sounds weird I know) and that the excessive drinking can be really obvious. My hamster had diabetes and he used to drink a whole bottle of water within a few days (you can get something to hydrate them more efficiently to put in their drink from the vet).

Also, I would love to be able to source this because I'm certain I read this somewhere but I couldn't say how proven or true it is. I read that diabetes seems to be more commonly found in hamsters with the red eyes because it gets carried with this gene or something (even the dark 'scarlet' red which my hamster had). I think I dug really deep on the internet to find this out as I've not been able to find it again, it wasn't just on a hamster webpage that you come across easily. I don't think it was just talking about hamsters either, but perhaps rodents with red eyes in general. Has anyone else heard anything about this?


Just thought I'd post this on here as if it's true, it might be easier to spot diabetes earlier on and help the hamsters live a happy life. One last thing, lettuce and fresh vegetables really seems to help hydrate them and keep them happy (my hamster would get grouchy without them if I remember correctly).

[Goliath]

Well Goliath doesn't over-drink, i've watched him on that, so I don't know.

[Pickalilly]

Sorry, but since when can hamsters not eat carrots?

[fluffymunchkins]

hamsters can eat carrots, they do have higher sugar than other veggies but its not a major problem.
Just be careful not to only feed carrots as their only vegetables.