How Long Can A Hamster Go Without Food?
Hamsters are small rodents that can live up to four years if they are taken care of properly. They are a popular pet choice because they are relatively low maintenance and can be quite entertaining.
One question that many people have about hamsters is how long they can go without food. In this blog post, we will answer that question and also provide some tips on how to keep your hamster healthy and happy.
How Long Can A Hamster Go Without Food?
Most hamsters can go 3–4 days without food or water. Since hamsters are often desert animals in the wild and will save food for times of famine and drought, they probably already have some food concealed in their cage that you aren’t aware of!
The 3–4 day rule is dependent on a variety of variables, which you should keep in mind:
- The condition of your hamster
- When they were born
- How nicely you have looked after them
- The temperature of the space they are in
Hamsters typically survive for two to three years, however, younger hamsters and those older than two years need more care. Similar rules apply to sick hamsters. These are items to think about since age and health may demand a different feeding schedule or a greater need for food and fluids.
How long your hamster can go without eating again depends on what they consumed during the most recent meal in their hamster’s cage. They will feel satiated for a lot longer than if they only eat vegetables and fruits if they regularly eat protein-rich meals made up of things like seeds, grains, and pellets.
How about water?
For every 100 grams of body weight per day, or around 10 mL, or a third of an ounce, of water, a hamster needs.
Likely, you cannot recall off the top of your head what your hamster weighs. As a result, it is wise to make sure your hamster has a full water bottle and a food bowl before you travel.
Read More: When Can You Give Your Hamster A Bath?
How To Ensure That Your Hamster Has Adequate Food And Water While You Are Away
If you are leaving town, we advise having someone stop by your home each day to check on your pet and restock their supplies of food and water. Don’t worry, though, if that isn’t feasible you can still go away for the weekend and return to your hammy home alone and find him in good health.
Read More: Why Do Hamsters Fight
Along with leaving your pocket pet hamster water tube full, you should also make sure to provide them with a combination of dry and wet food. Vegetables and food contain a lot of water compared to dry food, such as pellets, which, if they run out of water, will assist in keeping your hammy topped off
Leave some cucumber, lettuce, and little pieces of strawberry, pear, or apple in their cage in addition to the pellets and grains you already put in there. This will guarantee that they have all they need while you’re gone and will be more than enough to sustain them for 48 hours; if you’ll be gone for a longer period, increase the amounts.
As an illustration, for a five-day trip, you should provide the following information:
- 150 milliliters of water
- For every day you are away, you need 1/4 to 1/2 cups of dry food or around 2-3 tablespoons.
- A dry snack such as a meal stick or cookie
- A few water-based fruit and vegetable slices
We suggest being extra cautious and leaving some extra food if you have a greedy hammy. An irate hamster is the last thing you need when you get back!
Read More: Can Hamsters Swim?
How Much Time Can I Leave My Hamster Unattended?
It’s best to have a contact who can check in on your hammy while you’re away because there is no fixed time limit for how long they can be left alone.
Having said that, we advise leaving hamsters alone for no longer than a week and providing them with enough food and water if finding a pocket pet sitter is not an option. If you are gone for any longer than this, your hamster might start to notice—especially if they are highly social and accustomed to frequent handling.
The Dangers of Leaving Your Hamster Home Alone for a Long Time
There are risks involved with leaving your hamster alone, aside from the potential for it to run out of water and food, which shouldn’t be an issue if you go by the aforementioned suggestions.
The first is that because hamsters are known for being expert escape artists, there is a possibility that your furry friend would attempt to flee while you are away and cause havoc in the house.
Read More: What Tricks Can You Teach Your Hamster
If your hamster is known for enjoying exploration, you might want to think about keeping their cage in the bathroom so that if they escape, there won’t be any wires for them to gnaw through or other potential dangers.
While the best hamster toys are great for keeping your child active and cognitively engaged, avoid giving them any toys that have strings they could tangle in or that have little bits they could ingest.
When you reach home, make sure to give your hammy a full inspection. Look for signs of pain or disease in the animal, such as a runny nose, wheezing, loose stools, any bald patches where there should be fur, and an abundance of food and water left in the cage. If you have any worries, you should also visit the vet right soon.
Read More: How Long Can A Hamster Live?
