Elderly ham - Foods for weight gain?

[catsanlang]

Hi

We have a 2yr 8m dwarf who has been slowly losing weight over the last few months and is down to 32g (from 50+g originally). He is doing ok but has a tumour which has now come back twice but both we and the exotics vet struggle to know if he’s in pain. He is on quite a high dose of metacam to be on the safer side.

He’s just been back to the vet for a checkup today who advises to feed more. He already has his seed mix, 2 mealworms a day, veg and sometimes fruit most days, and the odd cashew/walnut.

I was going to start giving a bit of rice or pasta for added carbs and find some extra sunflower seeds, is there anything else that can help keep his weight up a bit? I’m being more lenient with fatty or slightly unhealthier foods with him and just trying to keep him as happy as possible.

Thank you

[souffle]

I think you will find that this is a natural ageing process in dwarfs. The organs become less efficient and they lose weight and muscle mass and sometimes experience dry skin and some fur loss. If the kidney function isn't good they can also wee a lot more.
It is a fine balance between giving more protein and giving too much which will strain the kidneys and liver further trying to process it.
Your hammy is a wonderful age so you must have cared for him very well. Make sure he is in a reasonably warm room and you can supplement with a little tofu, pasta, egg etc but keep up the hard dry food to keep the teeth in good trim.

[Jeir]

Regardless of age, my hamsters have all enjoyed porridge and warmed baby food (just avoid anything with tomato or onion/garlic/leek/other alliums in them).
Well done for getting your little one to such a great age. =)

[catsanlang]

Thank you both! Glad to hear the weight loss is normal, he is the oldest hamster I’ve had hence the worrying haha.

I’ll try some of those soft foods as treats, I’m sure he will be very happy