If you’re wondering what do hamsters drink, you’re not alone. In the wild, hamsters drink nothing but water. While they can also drink mother’s milk or a few drops of 100% natural fruit juice, adult hamsters don’t need any other liquid. You can also help your hamster replenish their fluid levels by giving them watery fruits and vegetables, such as grapes.
As their diets are rich in fat and protein, hamsters also need to drink plenty of water to keep their body hydrated. Depending on their lifestyle, hamsters may require more or less water, but they are not sedentary. Hamsters with a drier diet will tend to drink more water than hamsters on a moist diet. Providing fresh water is vital for a healthy, happy hamster.
Interestingly, hamsters can go days without drinking water, which is surprising considering their low metabolisms. In the wild, hamsters often dig their own water sources, so their thirst may be extreme in one day and disappear the next. Luckily, hamsters can return to normal thirst when they’re rested, though. Nevertheless, it’s important to know what hamsters drink to ensure they’re always well-hydrated.
Syrian hamsters tend to drink two to four teaspoons of water per day, while female hamsters tend to drink four to five teaspoons per day. While Syrian hamsters can grow to weigh 150 to 200 grams, some people prefer dwarf hamsters, which only weigh 50 grams once fully grown. Although dwarf hamsters are smaller than Syrian hamsters, they still drink a lot of water.
If you can’t find a suitable water bowl, you can give your hamster a bottle or a bowl instead. Both water bowls and water bottles can contain bacteria, which is very dangerous to hamsters. Using a water bottle is also more hygienic, since water bottles cannot be tipped over and your pet can drown if the water bowl gets contaminated. In any case, you should replace the water bottles frequently, even if your hamsters don’t drink water every day.
Fruits and vegetables are a great source of sugar for hamsters, but be sure to avoid hamster juice. Fruit juices contain too much sugar and acid that hamsters can’t tolerate. They can cause serious digestive upset and even diarrhea if you give them too much. If you do buy fruit juices for your hamster, make sure to avoid orange juice because it contains added sugars and acidity.
To provide your hamster with fresh water, you should clean its bottle thoroughly before giving it to your pet. Empty the water bottle and rinse it out in clean water. Clean the inside of the bottle as well. It’s best to use a weighted bowl. It’s important to avoid tipped over water bottles because your hamster may feel territorial if they’re in the same cage.
While milk is good for hamsters, you should avoid feeding your hamster cow’s milk or kitten’s milk unless it’s especially ill. If you want to give milk to your hamster, it’s best to offer it in small doses and make sure to use a syringe or eyedropper. Hamsters need around two to four teaspoons of water daily to keep them healthy and active.
Can I give my hamster warm milk and honey?
Because the hamster’s teeth are continuously growing, they need calcium and vitamin D to keep them strong. Another benefit is that milk can be mixed with warm water and honey to help ease a cough while waiting to see the vet. The probiotics in yogurt can also help your hamster when he has stomach troubles.
What fruit can hamsters not eat?
Fresh fruits (rinsed in water) are good too, such as apples, pears, bananas, grapes and most berries. But remember never to give any citrus fruits like oranges, limes, lemons or grapefruit. Only give small amounts at a time. In addition to fresh fruits and veggies, hamsters love whole grain breads and cereals.
What can I give my hamster water in?
The best way to offer water to a hamster is to use a water bottle. This prevents the water from spilling, which certainly will happen if you use a water bowl, and allows you to monitor how much Fluffy is drinking. It keeps the water clean from bacteria, which would otherwise make your hamster sick.2
What kills hamsters fast?
– Bitter almonds. – Potatoes. – Celery. – Onion family. – Spicy and seasoned foods. – Kidney beans. – Light green leafy veggies. – Synthetic sugars.
What drinks can hamsters drink?
Hamsters should only drink water. Water provides them with all they need to survive and stay hydrated, and there really is no other substitute. Whether you give your hamster tap water or filtered bottled water depends on the quality of the tap water where you live.
What causes hamsters to die early?
What can a hamster die of? A hamster can die from direct causes such as old age, disease, a fight with a fellow hamster or a fall on its head, but also from indirect causes such as stress, malnutrition, lack of exercise or poor hygiene in its enclosure.
Can hamster drink honey?
Can Your Hamster Eat Honey? To keep it short and sweet, yes, hamsters can eat honey, but only in minimal amounts.
What liquids can hamsters drink?
Hamsters should only drink water. Water provides them with all they need to survive and stay hydrated, and there really is no other substitute. Whether you give your hamster tap water or filtered bottled water depends on the quality of the tap water where you live.
What is poisonous for hamsters?
While fresh fruits and vegetables are an important part of a hamster’s diet, there are certain foods that are toxic to hamsters. These include tomato leaves, almonds, avocado, potatoes, onion, garlic, chocolate, and apple seeds.
What is the most common cause of death in hamsters?
Heart Disease Congestive heart failure in hamsters is a likely cause of death for hamsters that die suddenly. This occurs when older hamsters or hamsters with a genetic predisposition have weakened heart muscles that cannot efficiently pump blood.
Is avocado poisonous to hamsters?
Final thoughts. While a small amount of avocado is not likely to send your hamster to the vet and feeding avocado to hamsters is technically fine because it is non-toxic to them, it’s a far better idea to avoid it altogether. Avocados are calorie dense and high in fat and can swiftly cause obesity in your pet hamster.
How do you make a homemade water bottle for hamsters?
– Mark the center of the inside of the water bottle’s cap, using the Sharpie. – Using the large nail and the hammer, pierce the cap at the Sharpie mark. … – Replace the cap on the water bottle. – Drill through the cap at the starter hole using the power drill and 1/4-inch drill bit. … – Remove the cap.
What bottled water is good for hamsters?
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What food is poisonous to hamsters?
– Apple seeds. – Raw beans. – Raw potatoes. – Almonds. – Citrus fruit. – Garlic. – Onions. – Rhubarb leaves or raw rhubarb.
