If you own a hamster, you may be wondering, “How long can a hamster go without drinking water?”. Unlike other creatures, hamsters cannot survive for an extended period of time without water. Shocking, isn’t it? 😉
Water is a vital necessity that keeps the body functioning properly and provides fuel. It’s almost as important as food! If you’ve recently noticed your hamster not drinking, you may be worried. There are several ways to determine whether your hamster needs water.
How often do hamsters need water?
How much water your hamster needs vary from one to another. The amount of water your hamster needs can vary, depending on whether it is active or not. If you observe the signs of dehydration, you can adjust the amount of water your hamster gets. It may drink more when the temperature is warmer, if it is pregnant, or if it recently gave birth to hamster pups.
Hamsters need water at least once every 48 hours. Even if they don’t drink a lot of water, their bodies can become dehydrated after 24 hours. If they go more than two or three days without water, it can be fatal. Make sure to keep water bottles near the hamster’s cage at all times. Avoid using dishes for water because they may spill and contaminate bedding. Dishes also pose a drowning hazard to small hamsters.
Do hamsters need a lot of water?
Hamsters need a small amount of water every day to stay healthy. Their drinking needs depend on their activity level. Active hamsters will need more water than sedentary ones. The water that hamsters need varies according to size, activity level, and diet. For example, an adult syrian hamster needs 17 ml of water per day. Sedentary hamsters will need less water, while those with more energy will need more.
When choosing water for your pet, it is important to choose pure water. Hamsters can drink tap water, but it is important to choose filtered water. Hamsters’ small bodies need filtered water, which will not contain mineral-rich tap water. Nevertheless, hamsters can drink tap water if it is potable in your area. For best results, use filtered water or bottled water.
How can You tell if my hamster is dehydrated?
A few things to look out for can indicate that your hamster is dehydrated. If your hamster’s skin is dry and tight, it is likely dehydrated. You can test this by pinching the back of its neck. The skin should snap back into place quickly. If the skin is dry or warm, your hamster is dehydrated. This could lead to a more serious condition.
Another sign of dehydration is a loose scruff of skin at the base of the neck. A properly hydrated hamster’s skin will snap back into place quickly, whereas a dehydrated hamster’s skin will fall back into place slowly. Skin tenting is another way to determine if your hamster is dehydrated. This method is helpful to determine if your hamster has dehydration by evaluating how fast it can snap back.
Can hamsters drink tap water?
Hamsters enjoy a refreshing drink of water. Not only does it hydrate them, but it also cools them down on hot days. While most people get clean tap water from the tap in their city, hamsters do not process chlorine or any other mineral content in the water. Hence, bottled, distilled, or filtered water is preferred, although these options can be costly. However, bottled water does not harm your hamster and can be safely consumed by your hamster.
The right amount of water for your hamster depends on its size, age, and overall health. Hamsters drink about 10 milliliters of water per 100 grams of body weight each day. However, some hamsters are sensitive to the taste of tap water. To avoid this, you can try letting them drink rainwater or other natural forms of water. For water, it is important to remember that Syrian hamsters and Campbell’s dwarf hamsters need about two teaspoons of water daily. They may also require more than two teaspoons.
