Like all rodents, hamsters get diabetes as a result of being active and maintaining a high metabolism.
Once they’re exposed to this diagnosis, their reactions will vary. Some will become aggressive and behave differently than usual.
So, why do hamsters get diabetes? Hamsters are incredibly cute and cuddly, which makes them very popular pets.
However, they can be mischievous. Hamsters are prone to diabetes because of their sedentary lifestyle and diet.
In the wild, hamsters eat a lot of seeds and nuts, which supply them with important fats. However, hamsters kept in cages do not get to eat a lot of seeds or nuts, so their fat intake is depleted.
Hamsters that are kept in cages also tend to gain weight or become obese, which makes the problem worse.
Furthermore, hamsters’ sedentary lifestyle makes them prone to diabetes, as it’s much harder for them to get exercise in cages than in the wild.
When their sedentary and overweight lifestyle is combined with an unhealthy diet, a hamster is much more likely to become diabetic.
Why Do Hamsters Get Diabetes?
Contents
Diabetes does not affect only one sexed hamster; both males and females are at risk of developing the disease.
At first, diabetes can cause a wide range of symptoms that may be hard to spot in your hamster.
If your hamster has any of these signs, it may be a sign that it has diabetes.
Signs of diabetes in hamsters your hamster may become aggressive or violent With diabetes.
Hamsters with diabetes may develop changes in their behavior because of how the disease affects their bodies’ ability to regulate blood sugar.
Dwarf hamsters, for example, have a reputation for being aggressive toward other dwarf breeds.
While genetics have a part, what a hamster eats and how often it exercises also have a hand in how aggressive it is.
Foods that are heavy in fat, sugar, or carbs can affect a hamster’s blood sugar levels and can manifest into aggressive behavior as well.
Symptoms of Diabetes in Hamsters
Change in Temperament
The energy levels of hamsters may vary as they get hotter or colder.
A hamster’s metabolism will slow down when it’s cold outside and speed up when it’s hot.
However, changes like this typically take less than a day to occur. If your hamster is having a significant change in temperament, this may signal diabetes.
Changes in energy may also be a sign of diabetes if the same guinea pig is having changes in temperament when hunting or consuming food.
Frequent Urination
The glucose that builds up in the diabetic hamster’s kidneys has to be periodically eliminated through urination.
If glucose is not being removed from the body efficiently, affecting the hamster’s urine quantity and consistency, it may signal diabetes.
Hamsters may also urinate more frequently when they don’t have enough glucose in their blood.
By urinating more frequently, their levels are regulated.
However, if your hamster is urinating more than usual, you should make an appointment with a veterinarian as soon as possible to find out if they’re diabetic or not.
If a hamster drinks more water to go to the bathroom more often, this can be a sign that it has diabetes.
Loss of Weight
Despite the fact that your hamster is eating more than usual, you notice that it’s losing weight.
As a result, you should make an appointment with a veterinarian to find out why your hamster is losing weight.
Excessive Thirst
The additional glucose in the diabetic hamster’s system, as in humans, may cause the kidneys to leak more water than they normally should.
Because of this, a diabetic hamster will always be thirsty in order to stay hydrated and healthy. Because of the extra water, this can cause the hamster to gain weight.
Hyperactivity
Your hamster’s energy level will change throughout the day as it eats and sleeps, but if it changes a lot, it could be a sign that it has diabetes.
Hamsters’ energy levels will also increase when they’re sick or injured, but the extra energy is a normal response to these conditions.
Hamsters’ energy levels will normally increase after a meal as well.
If you notice your hamster has excessive energy that doesn’t seem to be tied in with increased activity or hunger, you should check for signs of diabetes immediately.
How Much Water Should I Give My Hamster?
A healthy hamster only needs 2-4 tablespoons of fresh water per day, but this depends on the size of your pet.
This is why it is critical that you measure the amount of fresh water that your hammy is getting every day.
If you fear your hamster is not getting enough water to drink daily, use an eyedropper to measure the amount of water in your hammy’s bowl before refilling it.
If it does not spring back, your hammy is probably not drinking enough fresh water.
How to Care for a Hamster With Diabetes
All hamsters should have access to clean, fresh water at all times in a well ventilated cage where they can hide and sleep safely at night.
Diet is also very important. How often you feed a diabetic pet depends on how their veterinarian treats them and how much glucose is in their blood.
Even though it might be hard to stomach the idea of feeding your healthy pet the same food as a sick one, it’s necessary to keep your little friend at a healthy weight and stop dehydration from making their health worse.
However, a balanced diet is still essential, even if your pet is ill.
Instead, attempt to keep mealtimes consistent as much as possible.
Diabetes makes it harder for pets to regulate their blood sugar levels on their own, so it’s important to keep them on a schedule so they can maintain a consistent blood sugar level throughout each day.
Store-bought hamster snacks are similarly heavy in carbohydrates and sugars.
Fresh fruits and vegetables, as well as a handful of nuts or seeds like sunflower seeds, are a better option for your pets to get nutrients without throwing off their blood sugar levels.
Although some diabetic hamsters lose weight when they get diabetes, they can exercise as much as healthy hamsters do on a daily basis.
Also Read: How Often Should You Feed Your Hamster?
Conclusion
There are several fallacies concerning how to care for a diabetic pet.
Before you take any action, make sure you have their symptoms or diagnosis in order.
Second of all, it’s important to take your hamster to a veterinarian who can recommend a course of treatment that fits your needs and the needs of your pet.
If you have more than one diabetic pet, be sure to take enough medication to ensure that both pets get the treatment they need.
This is the number one cause of diabetic hamsters passing on the condition, so it’s critical that you follow up on your hamster’s health closely and consult with you.
Many of the symptoms that hamsters display when they are ill.
If your hamster does have diabetes, you can help them live a full life by providing them with a healthy diet and regular exercise.
A little change in diet and careful monitoring can go a long way towards helping your hamster live a long and happy life with diabetes.
