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Old 04-27-2022, 07:33 AM   #1
Ria P
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Default Senior hamsters

When hamsters get old their care needs may change and we have to be aware of that to make their twilight months as comfortable as possible.

I thought a thread to reflect that and to share wisdom and experiences may be a good idea.

Syrian Rory is nearly 2 and his organs are starting to fail, he drinks and pees more than he used to. It's a natural aging process and he's on a maintenance dose of Metacam.

Rodney is 21/22 months old. Lately, i have noticed that his nails have grown and they look thicker than they used to. They are not overly long as yet but their shape has also changed. He wouldn't let me check nails and teeth last night so will try again tonight to check his teeth.
He feels a little bonier to the touch but he's never been a chunky hamster.

Has anybody else experienced an older hamster's nails to grow?

I've slightly adjusted Rory's cage a while ago to make things easier to access but haven't had to adjust anything in Rodney's cage yet.
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Old 04-27-2022, 08:00 AM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Great idea. I adjust their cages when I first notice back leg weakness, which can happen as they get older. With Charlie it was when he tried to climb off his shelf into his sputnik and fell back again. He looked very surprised and tried again but his back legs were too weak (or possibly arthritic). He still sped about on the flat for another 8 months but it was the time to have everything one level in his cage and no levels he could fall off.

The other thing I watch out for when they get very old is tripping out of the wheel. So I moved his wheel so it was directly level with the substrate so he could get in and out easily. Some wheels have more of an edge to trip on than others.

Yes their nails grow too long as they get older and are less active and not wearing them down so much. Needs keeping an eye on as they can injure themselves grooming, or the nails can start to curve up and they can't keep their grip on things.

There are lots of suggestions on here for clipping nails! I had the vet do them the first time so I knew what to do. The key is to only snip off the very very tip. So you don't cut the quick (which can be painful and bleed a lot). Obviously as the nails are long you're not taking much off that way but you just take off the very tip fairly regularly until gradually they are not too long.'

Some people stand them on mesh and do it from underneath. I do the (slow) way of snipping the odd one when they're out of the cage and noshing on a tasty snack so not aware what you're doing. It's slow because you maybe only get one or two nails done in each session!

Losing weight and getting bonier is fairly normal. Checking teeth aren't too long is important or they can't open their mouths properly to eat. But usually even if the teeth aren't too long, they need soft food supplementing as they get older as may have tooth ache and avoid eating their hard mix (hence losing weight as well). But still putting hard hamster mix out as well so they still have normal habits (pouching and hoarding it) and they may eat the odd little bit of it.

I think their personalities are rather lovely when they're older. They become more calm and patient with us!
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Old 04-27-2022, 11:32 AM   #3
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Yes, all my syrians have got longer nails when older, as they are less active, forever cutting them when they are older.
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Old 04-27-2022, 12:43 PM   #4
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Robo's nails are easy to trim and dwarf's nails i manage to cut as well but Syrian Rodney isn't having any of it!

I'm trying to get him used to being held in a flannel but he will not stop struggling. The nails aren't critical yet so i will continue trying. Otherwise it will have to be the vet and he won't like that.

Rodney has always been a wriggly hamster.
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Old 04-27-2022, 02:27 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Try the out of cage time food thing. I'd have the syrian on the sofa and a little egg cup of baby food there. Syrian's eyes light and up and laps up the baby food and forgets about their toes. While they're lapping it up you snip the visible toe nails. You can usually get a couple or three done before they yank their leg out of the way. I also found wrapping a Syrian not productive (and stressed them).

Mind you having it done at the vets really stressed Charlie. I had to hold him while the vet did it and he had the strength of ten men trying to push me back away from her! And wouldn't speak to me for two weeks.
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Old 04-27-2022, 02:30 PM   #6
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Vectis has a video on the mesh method

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Old 04-27-2022, 02:57 PM   #7
Ria P
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

The bird feeder is worth a try. Thanks. I tried the sieve before but the problem isn't just the hamster. It's me. I'm too slow because my eye sight isn't good enough.
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Old 04-27-2022, 03:17 PM   #8
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

I know that feeling. I had to wear two pairs of glasses ha ha. My own glasses, plus OH 3 x magnifying rready reader glasses on top. That did the trick. And it's why I prefer the feeding method when they're distracted and their feet are sticking out while they're noshing.

I did get a bird feeder intending to try it but found the slow occasional method with the odd nail done during out of cage time easier. No stress to the hamster (and they get loads of treats lol). It was usually porridge or baby food, while sitting on the sofa.

I do have some hamster toenail clippers but found it easier to use a tiny pair of nail scissors instead - more accurate and easier to just get the very tip and them not notice much. Takes patience though.
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Old 04-27-2022, 03:46 PM   #9
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
The bird feeder is worth a try. Thanks. I tried the sieve before but the problem isn't just the hamster. It's me. I'm too slow because my eye sight isn't good enough.
I just bought a magnifying glass thing - helped me as my eyesight is rubbish

Magnifying Glass with Light,eSynic Handsfree 5X Magnifier Lamp Magnifying Glass 360deg Flexible Desktop Magnifier Lens with 2 Brightness Levels and UK Plug for Reading, Knitting,Crocheting etc : Amazon.co.uk: Stationery & Office Supplies

on the plus side will also help me with my crafts
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Old 04-27-2022, 03:47 PM   #10
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Default Re: Senior hamsters

posted comment twice
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