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Old 01-09-2023, 04:47 AM   #1
Jox25
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
Exclamation Hamster not eating

Hi everyone, hope I’m posting in the right place.

So I have an 18 month old dwarf hamster called bean who has always loved his food, it’s usually his favourite time of the day.
He has always weighed 47g his whole life, I noticed he was losing weight and he was stashing his food but not actually eating it, his urine also appeared to have blood in. After taking him to the vet it was a urine infection which he was given antibiotics for (he hadn’t been eating before the blood was in his urine) so I had been giving him organic baby food. Even after his infection has gone he still won’t eat anything but baby food and is still stashing his food. The vet said maybe he isn’t eating because he would rather have the baby food but I said I started giving him the baby food in the first place because he wasn’t eating ?

He has lost 10g in about a month and it now 37g still not eating his usual food, he will eat the odd piece of cucumber or lettuce and he loves the baby food but I have noticed his poo has started smelling of it, im worried I’m encouraging him to not eat by giving him the baby food?

I know hamsters don’t eat as much as they age but he won’t even eat a mealworm he just leaves it or stashed it and the thing is he isn’t even eating out of his stash. Can someone help??
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Old 01-10-2023, 08:26 AM   #2
RolyRocks
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 228
Default Re: Hamster not eating

My dwarf hamster lost a lot of weight last winter when he was nearly two years old and obviously it is difficult for a vet to diagnose what might be causing it. I started my boy Loki on Metacam incase it was pain related and I have to say this made a big difference. Bean would probably be classed as a senior now so he may be experiencing some age related health issues so it might be worth speaking to your vet and asking to try him on Metacam. Hamsters also love the taste as it is sweet, unlike Baytril!
Loki put weight back on and is still with me now, aged nearly 3 years! He is a very old and frail boy but still enjoys taking his meds, we call them his daily sweet treat!
Loki stashes his food and it is difficult to say how much he eats but I also give him baby food daily, I have done for the past year as he enjoys it. I also give him veg every day, like broccoli, kale, cauliflower.. it might be worth seeing if your little man will like any of these. Cucumber and a small piece of red/green pepper also go down very well as a treat! Loki would always eat whole mealworms and then one day he stopped but I found he would take them if I broke them up into small bits.
I'm not sure if I have been much help, but I really hope Bean starts eating again!
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Old 01-11-2023, 12:41 AM   #3
Jox25
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
Default Re: Hamster not eating

Thank you so much; how would I go about asking for metacam? He was on 2 different medications for his urine infection, an antibiotic and a painkiller but he is no longer on it.

Do you think it’s ok if I continue to feed him baby food daily then? And when would you recommend removing his wheel from his cage he still goes on it every night and he is still very active
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Old 01-11-2023, 07:16 AM   #4
RolyRocks
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Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 228
Default Re: Hamster not eating

Metacam is a pain relief/anti inflammatory so he may already have been on this to help treat his urinary infection. Loki has also been treated for this on more than one occasion although they couldn't say for sure whether he had an infection or not. He gets discoloured urine from time to time, but it could potentially be down to something he has eaten which can affect the colour of urine.
I would maybe find out what pain relief he was already prescribed, it may be that he needs to be on it a little longer to see if it makes a difference to his eating. Older hamsters can stay on it long term to keep them comfortable if they do have any pain related issues going on such as arthritis etc. Loki has been on it daily since he was about 2 years old. But.. your man is only a year and a half and I believe there can be potential side effects such as kidney damage with long term use. I had to weigh up the pros and cons, my little man was nearly 2, losing weight and quieter than normal and I was worried I was going to lose him shortly.
It is great Bean is still very active and I would definately keep his wheel in his cage for along as he enjoys using it. I have only recently taken Loki's out as his back legs are very weak and he can no longer run in it.
In my opinion and I can go only go by experience, it is fine to give a small amount of baby food daily. Just make sure it is suitable for dwarfs and doesn't contain too much sugar. Originally I would only give Loki the safe veggie options but now I give him a couple of fruity ones too as I would rather he was eating than worry too much about diabetes etc given his old age.
I would try and keep an eye of Bean's weight, maybe weigh him weekly if you can and if you are at all worried or notice any concerning changes, contact your vet. Unfortunately it is difficult for vets to examine these little guys and know if anything is going on unless there is something visible. The fact Bean is active I would take as a good sign!
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Old 01-11-2023, 12:18 PM   #5
Jox25
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
Default Re: Hamster not eating

Thank you so much for your help. He has put on 1g so he is now 38g. He is on hipp organic carrot, cauliflower and peas. A while ago I did make these treats for him which contained organic oat flour, his food and crushed up mealworms and I found one yesterday and he has eaten it all he loved it, do you think I could feed these regularly?
I know for definite he was on rheumocam for dogs but he was only on 1 drop a day I don’t know what other he was on but I can find out.
I think I might hold off on the metacam due to the side affects and maybe wait until it may worse and he may start losing a lot more weight.

I can’t thank you enough for your help! He is still cleaning himself and is still so active although he has been getting sticky eyes a lot lately I bathe them for him and remove his sand baths whenever it happens.
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Old 01-12-2023, 06:49 AM   #6
RolyRocks
Hamster Pup
 
Join Date: Aug 2019
Posts: 228
Default Re: Hamster not eating

You are very welcome.
Those homemade treats sound great and I can't see why he couldn't have these regularly, they sound very healthy to me!
I believe Rheumocam is the same as Metacam. Loki also gets sticky eyes from time to time, I think unfortunately Dwarfs are prone to it.
Loki used to love that Hipp Organic flavour but nobody stocks it where I live anymore!
It's great Bean is gaining and not losing any more weight! Fingers crossed he continues this way as from what you say he sounds like a happy and active little fella!
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Old 01-13-2023, 12:34 PM   #7
Jox25
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Dec 2021
Posts: 6
Default Re: Hamster not eating

He is 37g currently which I don’t mind although I would prefer him to gain weight.

He is loving the treats I made him so that’s a good sign.

I order the baby food off Amazon I live in the UK so it’s everywhere.
Hopefully it’s only good things going forward with him, thank you so much again you are so kind
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