Hamsters are small rodents that typically live for two to three years. They are popular pets and come in a variety of colors, including black, white, brown, and gray. Hamsters are nocturnal animals and eat mostly seeds, fruits, and vegetables. They are known for coming from the edge of deserts and hot countries, and do need water to survive but owners might be ensure of just how much water hamsters drink per day.
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Do Hamsters Drink Water, and do they Drink a Lot?
Hamsters drink very little, but they must have constant access to fresh and clean water.
They might come from the border of deserts and warm countries, but they do not store water and are too little and too fragile to survive long without a constant access to water for when they need it.
How Much Water should your Hamster Drink?
How much water should hamster drink is not an exact number. It will of course vary depending on the hamster, Syrian requiring a a bit more water than Dwarfs, it will depend on the temperature, on their diet. Some food has a high water content, and hamsters won't feel as thirsty if given a piece of cucumber for example.
On average, hamsters should drink about 10 ml per 100g of their body weight.
How do I Know if my Hamster is getting Enough Water?
If you have a water bottle, check daily if the water can go through and there's no blockage.
If you are certain the water levels are not changing, the hamster needs a health check by a vet to check if it is drinking enough water.
A healthy hamster will have clear, bright eyes, and their fur should be clean and glossy. If your hamster's fur is looking dull, they may not be getting enough water.
How to Help your Hamster if he gets Dehydrated?
Dehydration in hamsters is very dangerous, and can kill them quickly. If you think your hamster may be dehydrated, take them to the vet immediately.
To encourage your hamster drinking, you can put the tiniest drop of peanut butter on the nozzle of his water bottle.
You can also fill the water bottle with fruit juice, then empty and rinse quickly and fill with fresh water. There should be enough juice residue to encourage them to have the few sips they need.
You can also offer fruits and vegetables with a high water content. Cucumber, watermelon, and iceberg lettuce are all good options, as long as you stick to safe hamster-size portions. (usually the size of their ear).
Why does my Hamster Suddenly Starts Drinking a lot?
Unfortunately, it could be a sign of diabetes, a too frequent disease of these little animals, so you need to consult an exotic vet as soon as possible. Other causes could be an infection, or even stress.
Can a Hamster Drink Tap Water?
Water quality can vary so much from country to country, from state to state even, it's not really possible to give a firm answer. Don't be afraid to check with your local veterinarian, but in general, if the water is safe for you and your family, it should be safe for your hamster. If you have any concern, and are not drinking it yourself, of course do not give it to your hamster.
Use tap water from the kitchen, it is running water coming from the main as opposed to bathroom taps which coming from a tank.
Can I Leave my Hamster for a Few Days with a Full Water Bottle?
You should not leave your hamster for more than a night, a couple at the most. If possible, ask a friend to visit every day to check the water supply, ideally replace it with fresh water, as well as scattering some food and checking the hamster has come to any mischief, blocked his wheel etc…
For a couple of nights, If you have not got any one who can help, at least provide a second source of water. This could be a water bottle with a different type of nozzle, or a small bowl. Place it at the other end of the cage to his normal water supply. A small bowl under the water bottle would catch any spillage if the bottle starts leaking, but introduce it days before you are away to check it does not block the access to the water.
For a longer absence, another option is to bring the pet to a friend. It is a bit stressful for the hamster, but might be the best option to keep them safe. It can be difficult to move the full enclosure, tanks especially are very heavy. A smaller cage might be your only solution – a real safe cage, not a travel carrier which would be far too small and incredibly stressful! Clean your usual enclosure several days ahead so the hamster has time to spread their smell around and feel settled at home. On the day, put as much of that bedding in the holiday enclosure, with their wheel, water supply, boredom breakers.
Do Hamsters Enjoy Swimming in Water?
Absolutely not! It's very cruel to put a hamster in the water.
As most mammals, hamsters naturally know how to swim, meaning how to survive in the water. However they absolutely detest it.
It is stressful, they are likely to catch a cold which can be fatal. Do not give a bath or design any kind of swimming pool for the poor animal.
Can Syrian Hamsters Swim?
They can, in survival mode, but they should not be put int the water.
Can Dwarf Hamster Swim?
They also naturally can swim, but again, it is very cruel to put them in the water and they should not be made to swim.
Shall I Bath my Hamster?
Absolutely not! Give them access to a sand bath in their enclosure, that is enough.
If the hamster is covered in soil, dirt or dust after a vigorous exploring roaming time, they will take care of it themselves.
Never use human shampoo or any kind of cleaning products on the animal.
Hamsters spend a lot of time grooming. Putting them in water will strip them from important oil.
Obviously if your hamster is covered in a toxic or dangerous substance, it's an emergency so you need to clean them as safely and quickly as you can, bathing them if you must (but make sure you keep them warm) and bring them to a veterinarian.
Can a Hamster Drink Water from a Bowl?
There is no definitive answer to this question. Hamsters are usually seen drinking from water bottles, and some people believe that water bottles are better because they are less likely to become dirty and hamsters are more likely to drink from them. However, others believe that bowls are better because they more closely replicate the hamsters' natural behaviour the best. Ultimately, it is up to the individual owner to decide what they think is best for their hamster.
A bowl is easier to clean and some owners more likely to clean it and replace fresh water every day.
Bowls do not leak. They need to be heavy enough so hamsters cannot flip them over, shallow enough so they are safe, ideally separated from the bedding so they don't get filled with everything like bedding and sand.
A tealight glass holder is the perfect size.
The best advice is probably to offer both!
Can I give Fruit Juice to my Hamster?
You do not need to give anything but fresh water as a drink.
Juices have a high sugar content which is not healthy for these animals already prone to diabetes
Conclusion
Hamsters are interesting creatures and make great pets for people who have the time to take care of them. They need constant access to fresh and clean water, which can be provided through a water bottle or bowl. It is important not to bathe them unless they are covered in a harmful substance, as it will strip them of their natural oils. Hamsters also enjoy eating fresh fruit and vegetables in very small portions, but owners should avoid giving them juice because of its high sugar content.