I've been wondering about this for some time now, as I have one chubby hamster (Isabel) and one quickly growing chubby (Maxwell). Diabetes is an issue for both of them, to lesser extent with Izzie and to great extent with Max, as his older sister has it, and well, him having Campbell genes predispose him even without that. Isabel's already around 10 months of age and set in her ways and is probably okay. Max though is not even 3 months old and already 47 grams. His brother is 45 but looks healthy and fit. Muscle weighs more than fat as well. Max sleeps a LOT and so not working out enough. I try to feed all my hams healthfully, and don't include any sugars or junk food at all, adding protein, periodic fresh veggies, and a good selection of grains. Izzie and Max still find a way to get chubby on that though, both through being very lazy with using their wheels enough.
So my question is, is there a way to determine whether a ham is unhealthily obese? I believe obesity increases the risk of developing diabetes (not just added sugars), so I want to keep my Maxie healthy and want to know if I should trim down his diet more. Hamilton eats the same food but exercises a LOT, so he's pretty fit, though still nicely round. Max has some folds developing
They are still "babies" so I guess they might look chubby because of that.
"Chubby vs. unhealthily Obese"
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