Sick Hamster101

Question
My friends hamster has diareah. It is a golden teddy bear hamster. I thought it was wet tail,but he is still active. What do you think?

Answer
Hi Laura,

When a hamster has wet tail, he often walks hunched up, he's lethargic, and he sometimes squeals in pain.  If your friend's hamster is still active, then he probably has diarrhea.  There are a couple of main causes of diarrhea: a new diet, or too much feeding of vegetables.

Tell your friend to feed her hamster only its regular dry mix, and make sure it has plenty of water.  The diarrhea should clear up within 1-2 days.  Your friend should wait about 2 weeks before she begins feeding the hamster vegetables again.  (Make sure she knows to feed the hamster only small amounts of vegetable or fruit.  Initially, feed the hamster small amount of fruits or vegetables 3 times per week.  After a few weeks, then she can give the hamster small amounts of fruit or vegetable 6-7 times per week.)

If the diarrhea doesn't clear up, and the hamster's condition gets worse, the hamster should be taken to the vet - antibiotics may be needed.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask.

Kelly