Roborovski drinking a lot!

[Nikorusama]

My robo is always drinking, pretty much every time I see her she is at her bottle. I thought maybe the bottle doesn't work but it does and I'm a bit worried. It's been like this for a while. Other than that, she seems perfectly fine and healthy in her self. I didn't think robos were probe to diabetes so didn't think it was that but could it be? I haven't fed her sugary things and hopefully the food I give her hasn't got hidden sugars. What do you guys suggest?

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

Robos can be prone to diabetes but it is not really common, however diabetes comes with many other symptoms ie. strong smelling urine, sudden weight loss/gain, sudden over/under exercising. Without these other symptoms it is unlikely to be diabetes.
Also when you say its been like this for a while how long do you mean? Has she always been like this?
Also is she kept in a warm place as robos can be very sensitive to heat, for instance as it is getting cold have you started turning the heating up in the room she is in as it could just be a reaction to this. Hope you can figure out what it is and that nothing is seriously wrong.

[racinghamster]

One of the robos I had started to drink a lot and lost a fair bit of weight aswell. I suspected kidney issues but never checked him for diabetes back when I had my two boys about four years ago. Might be worth testing his urine for protein and ketones? Using those diastix from a chemist? Or maybe your vet will give you a couple to test with?

What mix do you feed? Even though some mixes are very good and have no `added` sugars like sprayed with fruit flavourings or have dry fruits added, they do still contain corn, flaked maize and peas/pea flakes/banana pieces. The corn itself is a strachy food and contains natural glucose sugars, so it`s a good idea to remove these and add in other grains and seeds instread. Two easily bought grains would be dry jumbo oats or (porridge) and Buckwheat. Both available from supermarkets and healthfood shops. Millet/canary seed.

[Vectis Hamstery]

If I worry someone's drinking more, you're right that the first thing I check is the water bottle. I did have a robo who later in life was unable to get the ball in the spout to move enough so I gave him a bowl. A hammy that's not getting enough water is likely to lose weight. If it's this then the hamster spends a lot of time at the bottle but the level doesn't really go down.
How old is your robo? The second most common reason for increased drinking I have found is kidney problems in older hamsters. This can be diagnosed by a urine dipstick at the vet.
Diabetes is, as Erin says, less common in robos. A dipstick can diagnose this too. I have found diabetics have noticable wet corners and get through significant amounts of water. If you suspect diabetes, then I always suggest you test, rather than guess as even the herbal treatments can have serious complications if not used appropriately.

[MzWiz0915]

Pica has days like this. She has amyloidosis and mild kidney failure. She is doing well though and very happy. Excessive drinking and peeing is cause for concern, but there are several things that can cause excessive drinking. Does she have other symptoms? Perhaps a visit to the vets would be appropriate?