I. The Weight and Joy of Life
Of course, every hamster owner hopes that the hamster they bring home will live a long and healthy life. The average lifespan of cats and dogs is about 14-15 years. Some types of large parrots and tortoises can also live as long as humans. On the other hand, the lifespan of hamsters is only 2-3 years, which is significantly shorter than that of humans. Among small rodents kept as pets, their lifespan is also relatively short. In human terms, it is but a fleeting moment.
However, within these 2-3 years, hamsters go through both juvenile and senior stages, just like us humans, experiencing various stages of life. In the sense of “a lifetime,” a hamster’s 2 years are actually the same as a human’s 80 years.
Every moment of a hamster’s life can be watched by us. From the hamster’s perspective, this might be an unwelcome fate, yet they entrust all of their lives to their owners. We should take this to heart and devote ourselves to caring for them every day.
On our palms, we carry the weight of a hamster’s…
Compared to humans, the lifespans of dogs and hamsters seem quite short.
II. Avoid Over-Intervention
The more you love a pet, the more you want to “do a lot for it” and “give it everything,” which is only natural. Since you are raising a pet, tenderness and abundant love are very important.
However, after all, this object is a different kind of creature from humans. Directly pouring love onto a hamster may not necessarily be a good thing. Excessive care can also overwhelm the hamster.
Moreover, sometimes owners may hold a full heart of love for their hamsters but still fail to do what needs to be done.
The best state is actually to have a lot of love, but “not too much” or “not too little,” everything in moderation.
III. Avoid Making Hamsters Too Fat or Too Thin
Some hamsters become plump and round, especially on the internet, where such appearance is praised as cute. However, if they are really too fat, there can be significant health issues.
Obesity puts a strain on the heart and increases the risk of diseases such as diabetes and hyperlipidemia. Due to the heavy “coat” of fat, body heat can easily accumulate, making it easy to suffer from heatstroke in hot weather.
This layer of excess fat can also cause problems during surgery. Even if you often touch the hamster’s body to check its health, you may not be able to find tumors or other growths.
In addition, obesity makes it difficult for hamsters to groom themselves, leading to messy fur and skin diseases.
Such excessive obesity is not beneficial at all. Overweight pets are not limited to hamsters; cats and dogs can also become the focus of “super cute” topics on social media, but the “likes!” on social media can come with serious health risks, which is not worth it.
Avoiding obesity is certainly important, but making hamsters too thin is also not good.
Some hamsters, due to their constitution, will not gain weight even if they eat a lot. However, sometimes, even without such a constitution, hamsters raised in families that implement solid breeding management can unexpectedly become too thin.
People who are 180cm tall and those who are 150cm tall, people who are naturally muscular and have strong bones, all have different “appropriate weights.”
Hamsters are the same; each individual’s appropriate weight will vary depending on their physique, and even if it exceeds the “average weight of hamsters,” it may not be a problem for them.
IV. Appropriate Weight Loss Methods
“Does the hamster need to lose weight?” It is recommended to consult a veterinarian when taking the hamster for a health check-up. If the hamster is sick or elderly, it is better not to force it too much.
When it is better to lose some weight, the best approach is to adjust the “quality of meals.”
First, let’s start by re-examining “what snacks were given? How much was given?” Foods such as sunflower seeds, which are high in fat, and fruits, which are high in sugar, are the culprits of excessive obesity in hamsters.
“Feeding snacks” is a cherished interactive time, so please do not “cancel snacks,” but gradually replace them with foods that contain less fat and sugar. You might consider switching to granular feed that the hamster prefers or vegetables that it likes.
For the main meal of granular feed, you can also gradually switch to low-calorie products such as weight loss or light types.
However, if you suddenly give the hamster granular feed it has never eaten before, it may not want to eat it. Therefore, you can gradually mix a small amount into the original feed and take your time to change it.
Even if you want to increase the hamster’s exercise, it will not move according to your wishes. In addition to making the cage larger, you might also think of ways to create height differences that require crossing, such as placing hamster-specific exercise equipment between the nest box and food bowl, or hiding food in various places inside the cage.
Please avoid ruining the hamster’s body due to weight loss, set realistic goals, and spend time slowly progressing while checking the health status.
V. Understanding the Feelings of Hamsters
“What is our hamster thinking?” “Are they happy living here?” When you start pondering these questions, you can’t help but think endlessly. The most you want to ask about a hamster is whether the living space is comfortable and whether there is stress… etc. If you knew the answers, you would surely be able to help create a better breeding environment.
Hamsters do not wag their tails or bark frequently like dogs, so their emotions are difficult to read. However, this does not mean they do not show any emotional expressions. The expression of “fear” is essential to survival, and observing the hamster’s demeanor when it receives a snack can also reveal signs of “happy feelings.”
By observing the behavior of hamsters, you can imagine their mood. It is said that hamsters often groom themselves when they want to calm down.
Although it is difficult to fully understand the feelings of hamsters, what is truly important may not be to anthropomorphize them or to think you understand them, but to understand that “it is difficult to fully understand.”
VI. Information Screening and Updates
We live in an information society, and breeding-related information is everywhere. However, the internet accelerates the proliferation of information.
No matter what you search for online, you can usually find an answer. However, these search results are all presented together, and it is not immediately apparent which ones are correct or based on facts.
In addition, although you can specify “sort by website update date” when searching, it is still difficult to judge whether the information is new or old most of the time.
The ability of users to filter information is also tested. If you cannot filter, seeing something written as great and then worrying about something written as not good… may only lead to confusion. After obtaining a large amount of information, selection and choice are also necessary.
This is one of the major differences between the internet and books. To complete a book or magazine, information will be carefully and rigorously screened, unlike the “everything” available on the internet.
Of course, the internet also has considerable advantages. For example, when a hamster’s condition deteriorates at night, you can seek help from certain websites, and someone will respond immediately. Being able to get advice instantly brings a strong sense of relief.
Owners should cultivate the ability to screen information so as not to be overwhelmed by the vast amount of breeding information on the internet.
It is important not to be confused by information, but it is also a big problem to completely stop updating the information you possess and not to absorb new knowledge. It is believed that until today, some owners still think that sunflower seeds are the main food for hamsters.
Although we cannot deny past breeding methods, the breeding environment for hamsters (equipment, food, medical care, etc.) is actually improving day by day.
Choosing and discarding is a prerequisite, and striving to obtain new information is also very important.
VII. Living with Senior Hamsters
It is said that hamsters begin to age around 1.5 years old. Generally speaking, as they get older, their bodies will undergo the following changes.
Vision decline: Visual, olfactory, auditory, and other senses become weaker.
Eye diseases: Prone to cataracts.
Disordered fur: Grooming frequency decreases, and the condition of the fur worsens.
Dental problems: Teeth become fragile and difficult to eat hard foods.
Internal organ function: Digestive tract, kidneys, liver, or heart and lung functions weaken.
Increased likelihood of tumors: The older they get, the higher the chance of developing tumors.
Reduced bone density: Due to reduced bone density, it is easier to fracture.
Overgrown nails: Becomes less active, and the opportunity to wear down nails decreases, making them prone to overgrowth.
Weakened immunity: Immunity gradually deteriorates, becoming more susceptible to illness.
Poor homeostasis: The ability to maintain stable body conditions decreases, making it difficult to regulate body temperature, and prone to heatstroke or hypothermia.
Changes in activity levels: Including less running on the wheel, becoming less active, and sleeping more.
Weight changes: As they continue to age, both food intake and muscle mass decrease, resulting in weight loss.
If you take care of the hamster every day, you may not notice the changes in aging. In addition, the above changes will not occur all at once. As they get older, please observe the various parts of the hamster’s body and behavior.
Environment Needed by Senior Hamsters
As they age, hamsters’ sensory organs gradually become weaker, and it becomes more difficult to regulate body temperature.
Even if the hamster itself does not mind, there will be more and more moments that will make them feel pressured.
To avoid sudden temperature changes, use air conditioning and heaters, and be more diligent in controlling the temperature; if you feel that the nesting material is not enough, be considerate and help supplement it. Creating an environment where hamsters can live comfortably is the most important.
Creating a Safe Environment
Since the hamster’s mobility will gradually decline with age, it is necessary to reconsider whether the breeding environment is safe.
The difficulty here is that if you make barrier-free adjustments too early, it may accelerate the decline of the hamster’s precious physical strength.
That said, if you want to change the environment, it is not advisable to wait until too advanced in age to start, so you must observe and gradually assist from the more dangerous parts.
For example, if there is a loft, you can remove it first and replace it with low toys that can climb up and down as play.
Including the regulation of the use of the wheel, etc., please pay attention not to overexert them under the premise of “keeping the hamster at a certain level of physical activity.”
Diet for Senior Hamsters
If the hamster’s teeth have not deteriorated and it can still eat granular feed smoothly, there is no need to force it to change its diet.
When starting to age, if it eats a lot but exercises less, it may become overweight. At this time, you can switch to weight loss type or other low-fat granular feed, but be careful, as sudden changes may not be accepted by the hamster.
If the hamster’s food intake seems to have decreased, in addition to the granular feed that is usually eaten, you can also provide soaked granular feed that is easy to eat, small animal-specific liquid food, pet-specific milk (preferably goat’s milk), etc.
Other Suitable Meal Examples
● Grinded vegetables or fruits
● A small amount of vegetable juice or fruit juice (without added sugar)
● Yogurt (preferably without additives)
● Tofu (best to drain the water)
● Vegetable chips (use after adding water)
● Baby food (unflavored) … and so on.
You can also think like this
“Eating” is a deep-seated desire for animals, and it is believed that until the last moment, it is a fundamental craving. Whether it is hamsters or humans, eating something they love will make them feel happy.
Even in old age, although it is important to control the diet thoroughly, I believe owners will also feel that since the hamster has grown old, it is actually desirable to let them taste many things they love. If it is a decision made after careful consideration, it is also a viable approach.
Treating Senior Hamsters
Even individuals that are already quite friendly should avoid being left alone for long periods. It is best to create short interaction times, such as feeding the hamster something it loves by hand, to help stimulate its appetite, etc.
As the hamster ages, there will be more and more things to worry about. Even individuals that have learned to use the litter box may defecate elsewhere. Such situations are inevitable, and it is actually a blessing to be able to take care of the hamster until old age, so please treat them with an open mind.
Health Check-ups
When the hamster is young, choose a hospital you visit regularly, and even when you are older, you should also have regular health check-ups.
After the hamster gets older and its physical condition deteriorates, some owners may think “it’s just old age” and give up. However, some reasons for the decline in physical condition can still be treated even in old age, and it may improve the quality of life of the hamster.
When the hamster’s food intake gradually decreases and soft meals are started to be increased, there is a concern about excessive tooth growth. It is best to have a familiar veterinarian check from time to time, which will be more reassuring.
After the hamster enters old age, in addition to the increased likelihood of developing tumors, it is also easier to contract various diseases. Some are easy to treat, and some are not.
Including what treatment options are available, the possibility of improvement after treatment, whether the burden on the hamster is great, treatment costs, what kind of care is needed at home, etc., please consult a veterinarian fully.
Some cases, although elderly, will still choose treatment with the goal of recovery; of course, there will also be some cases that choose to give up aggressive treatment and only do treatments that can improve the quality of life of the hamster. No matter what method, it is important that the owner must choose a method that they can identify with. I believe that will also be the best way for the hamster.
I hope everyone can cherish the hamsters they are raising, enjoy every day together, and in the end, can send them away with a grateful heart.