Wont Eat

Question
Dear Sheila,
   I have a female Syrian hamster and she hasn't been eating and drinking very much. She used to eat the entire
bowl and water bottle in on day. Now she eats a quarter of her bowl and a quarter of her water bowl. She also has a new nest outside of her normal one. This started al at once.
      What's wrong with her?

Answer
Hi Anthony

Apart from this, how she in herself? Is she still playing or is she dull and sitting hunched up?

How old is she?

Hamsters often move their nests for whatever reason - so there is nothing to worry about with this.  They also sometimes change the amount they eat.  

Hamsters often appear to eat, but all they are doing is storing their food somewhere.  Are you sure she's not just moving her food into her nest?  Also, hamsters usually drink very little water unless they are ill.  I'm wondering if she was ill - perhaps with diabetes - and this caused her to clear her bowl and water bottle on a daily basis (they drink loads and eat often in order to control the condition) and that perhaps now she has stabilised.

It is difficult to know exactly what is happening without further details.  However, I would suggest you weigh her if you have some kitchen scales - try to weigh her at the same time every day over the next week.  You can also try her on human baby food - buy a packet of creamy porridge oats or rice (designed for babies aged 4-6 months old).  mix a little with water and give her a teaspoon of this.  See if she eats it.

If you can let me have a few more details I might be able to suggest something else.

Regards