Losing Weight?

[Teddybearhamster420]

I think Joe is losing weight.. I had a little cuddle last night and noticed I could easily feel his ribs. He doesnt look bad, he has lots of fur, and he is him normal self and all...but im really worried. Last week I ran out of his normal extrusion food, which he never seemed to eat. I bought him some of his stuff he was on before, which he really likes.
I boil some oats, and give him babyfood, a tad of lettuce every so often. I never see him drink. He has a bowl and I refill it nightly, but yesterday I didnt, I wanted to see if it would go down more than it was, I dont think it has. He must be drinking when im sleep...

Any thoughts? Ive never weighed him, dont know how to and only have a normal weigher for humans

[emilyweb]

awh I'm not sure what to suggest but anyways *hugs* I hope someone else can give better advice

[Hamtastic]

If your parents have a food scale that can measure in grams, I'd recommend weighing him every day for a few days. Good commercial mixes are Ecotrition Organic, Hazel Hamster, Mazuri pellets are ok for syrians, Oxbow Healthy Handfuls (a bit bland, but good as a supplement), added oat flakes and mealworms (can be freeze-dried). Something like Kaytee Fiesta Max looks good in terms of a great variety of ingredients, but you can make your hamster overweight on such a diet (and it's got low protein anyway, which you'd have to supplement with other ingredients, such as mealworms). If you notice a pattern of weight loss that can't be explained by his food or eating habits, it could be some illness. In Lucy's case, I weighed her frequently and she kept losing weight due to what turned out to be her kidneys not being healthy (which a vet determined).

But yeah, in your case the first steps I'd make are to make sure he has food he likes and that's good nutritionally, check his teeth (top and bottom), and see if you can weigh him before you go all out adding tofu and babyfood to his diet trying to fatten him up. All hamsters are different, so to find out whether Joe's losing weight would be to weigh him today and then again tomorrow, and again in 2 days, etc.

[Teddybearhamster420]

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

If your parents have a food scale that can measure in grams, I'd recommend weighing him every day for a few days. Good commercial mixes are Ecotrition Organic, Hazel Hamster, Mazuri pellets are ok for syrians, Oxbow Healthy Handfuls (a bit bland, but good as a supplement), added oat flakes and mealworms (can be freeze-dried). Something like Kaytee Fiesta Max looks good in terms of a great variety of ingredients, but you can make your hamster overweight on such a diet (and it's got low protein anyway, which you'd have to supplement with other ingredients, such as mealworms). If you notice a pattern of weight loss that can't be explained by his food or eating habits, it could be some illness. In Lucy's case, I weighed her frequently and she kept losing weight due to what turned out to be her kidneys not being healthy (which a vet determined).

But yeah, in your case the first steps I'd make are to make sure he has food he likes and that's good nutritionally, check his teeth (top and bottom), and see if you can weigh him before you go all out adding tofu and babyfood to his diet trying to fatten him up. All hamsters are different, so to find out whether Joe's losing weight would be to weigh him today and then again tomorrow, and again in 2 days, etc.

We dont have a food weigher anymore.
I checked his teeth, and they seem to be longer than I expected. I never though this was the problem, last time i attempted to check (not to long ago) they where fine. I dont have acess to a vet, and theres no way Joe will sit still and let me do them myself!! Im looking up vets, I will come to london if I have to. Joe does have chew toys, but never has expressed any intrest in them whatsoever. Im freaking now!! What if i cant find a vet? Joes my bestfriend and Im not going to let anything happen to him.

[Teddybearhamster420]

I just contacted a vet I found! Its a little journey, but its worth it..Though I emailed them and asked if they do hamsters...I was very specific of my expectations

It says they do exotic animals and gave a list of lots of others-so i hope they do take in hams..

[Hamtastic]

Great!! Plus it would put your worries to rest if there's anything up with him. I considered taking Lucy to a vet for a while, but I'm glad I did now. Hopefully your parents are ok with it. If it's an issue, you could try taking photos of his teeth, maybe, though I realize it's pretty hard to do by yourself... Teeth can look pretty long and still be fine. If Joe's issue is overgrown teeth, he should be as good as new after a trim

As for trimming them in the future, including hard pellets is good! You can try Kaytee Forti-Diet Pro Health pellets or Mazuri pellets to supplement Joe's mix and trim his teeth nicely over time

[Teddybearhamster420]

Thanks Hamtastic! My mom and dad are absolutly ok with it, they love Joe alot, too Im trying now to worry....to much. I did try taking pics, but, as you guessed, it didnt work out.. Could giving him a carrot help at all for the time being??

Oh..and Is it normal for their teeth to be Yellow? Joes is..extremly!

[Hamtastic]

Yes, it's very normal Even brownish-orange-ish.