Bottle or Bowl? New hammy not drinking?

[aragneer]

Hi guys!

So as some of you know, I got a baby robo last Friday. With our past hammy's, we had problems with water bottles so we gave Waffles a bowl and we have never seen him drink but the bowl level has gone down and has had little dusty bits in it (probs from whiskers or food). However, for two days, the level hasn't gone down. We have given him cucumber every second day for some hydration.

I am just worried he hasn't been drinking or something is wrong. My partner got him a bottle today so I am waiting anxiously for a text to say he is having a drink (I haven't been home this week).

Any advice or anyone experienced this issue?

[pinkneon]

He may drink when you're asleep. If he's still scared he will wait til it's all dark and quiet before coming out to eat or drink or play

[velma]

Hamsters don't drink very much compared with other animals because of their natural habitats and robos being see tiny appear to drink very little so it can be hard to tell.

A couple of times I've found that the ball valve got stuck in the bottle so they couldn't actually get anything out. Some bottles work better than others and with one particular bottle I had to loosen the cap just a little bit to allow the water to flow. What sort of bottle do you have? Smaller bottles can be better as smaller spouts are better for robos generally, I think. The classic bottles that you get in most pet shops are fine. I personally like the ferplast drinkie (I didn't like the sippy though) although when Hector was old I swapped back to a small classic bottle to make it easier for him.
So check the bottle as your first port of call. He may have been thirsty from a non-functioning bottle and drank extra from his bowl and now back to normal amounts. (Unless I've misunderstood and he's only ever had a bowl with you) Or he may not be drinking enough if he doesn't like the contaminated water. He may be getting enough from the cucumber on those days he has it.

Is the rest of his behaviour the same as normal? Hard to tell I know as you only got him a week ago but is he alert? Are his ears up or flat to his head compared to normal? Is he eating normally? Keep an eye out for those things as an indicator if something isn't right.

[aragneer]

Just to clear it up:

He had a bottle in the shop but we gave him a bowl. We have now taken the bowl away and he only has a new bottle

It is hard to tell with his behaviour but his normal routine lately is sleep until 9-10pm, come out and throw all his food from his bowl and then go on his wheel for a while. Last night, he didn't come out for a good while but my boyfriend said he startled him a bit putting the new bottle in but I don't think his behaviour is different.

He walks very low to the ground cause he's scared but has started letting my partner stroke his head so that's something.

I'll keep an eye on his drinking and for now, I'll make sure he always has cucumber in case

[Gimleyand Meeko]

I personally prefer bottles You could measure the water to the (for example) the 20 ml line and if any has gone you know they have drunk, but do check for a leak, just in case

[Aisling and hamster]

I have had my hamster for three or four months and have only seen him drink once or twice. I know that he's drinking even if I don't see him as he doesn't look at all dehydrated but if your very concerned he isn't drinking then give him a bit of cucumber or another watery vegtable.

[huri ur]

My hamster isn't drinking either but I'm not gonna worry they don't drink a lot
I also give Peanut some cucumber
If I where u I would worry