We often get questions about dwarf hamster's susceptibility to illnesses!
Contrary to popular belief, Winter White Hamsters can NOT get wet tail. Only Syrian Hamsters can get wet tail, but Winter Whites aremore susceptible to diabetes.
Signs that your Hamster Might have Diabetes Include:
- excess water drinking
- weight loss (or) gain
- maple syrup smell
- changes in behavior
How to Test for Diabetes:
- 1. Place your ham in a small carrier, with nothing in it but them. (this is important: no bedding, no water, no hide etc) a healthy dry snack would be fine, but nothing else.
- Check on them regularly until you see that they've peed. (this should hopefully take less than an hour)
- Use a Pet Urine Test Strip to test the levels of glucose in the pee. If it spikes, then you'll know their body may not be processing sugar properly!
What Do I Do if it's Positive?!
Don't worry if the test comes back positive! Just like humans, it is not a death sentence, and just requires adjustments to their life. Diabetes in hamsters is manageable!
The only way diabetes can result in death is if someone does not realize their hamster has developed diabetes, and feed them fruit or something with sugar, and the hammies sweet system is unable to process this sugar, this can lead to diabetic shock, which can lead to them passing.
Here are some recommendations:
1. Avoid all fruit and never give any sugary treats.
2. Limit carbs, and feed a high protein, high fiber, low fat diet (which is already the recommendation for hamsters)
3. Make sure your sweetie always has lots of water in their enclosure because they may need access to it more than others!