whats wrong with my hamster?

Question

i hve had him for 2 weeks now, its my first hamster, last week i bathed him in a basin filled with only a little amount of water and since then he makes funny noises like wheezeing, pls help i dont know wots worng with him?also how often should i clean his cage out?

Answer 1

Despite what everyone else is saying, simply giving your hamster a bath won't necessarily kill it. One thing to remember if you need to do it again though is only use cat/kitten shampoo if you must. Human shampoos, dog shampoos, and most other soaps do have mild toxins in them that can make the hamster sick when it licks itself. Some hamsters do make noises on their own too, as a warning when they are scared although that is usually more of a raspy squeaking sound. Although vet care is usually more accepted in the pet world as the best solution, for hamsters it really isn't very cost sensable. A lot of times the pet shop you got it from will offer a replacement if you recently purchased it. All I can suggest is give it time, and if it doesn't get better, take it back. Good luck to you and your little friend.

Answer 2

Everything I've read.... Do Not Put Hammie In Water. They don't like water and tend to drown, hence a reason for having a water bottle opposed to a dish. They clean themselves via licking. They loose heat fast considering their size so bathing isn't the best idea...because now you have warm hammie who's had a (hopefully) warm bath and now in the chilly air to dry and is catching cold.

As for you "funny noises", I would be thinking possibly a cold or pneumonia and I would suggest finding a vet who works with small animals. Hamsters also make noises when wanting to mate...
I would make a big recommendation of doing some serious research about hamsters before you buy another. Look up stuff on the net or in books from the library or buy some.

Cage cleaning: I have read anywhere between 1-2 weeks... I read somebody elses answer of once a month... I would suggest more frequent than that! A) The cage will begin to smell B) if you were hammie, would you want to walk on your pee and pooh for a month and sleep in it???
Provide some bedding for the little guy too... toilet paper or paper towel so he has something to keep warm for sleeping.

Good luck.

Answer 3

We cleaned our hamster's cage once every week - 10 days. He's probably sick from the bath. You can call a vet and get some advice, and please, no more baths.

Answer 4

Hamsters do not need to be bathed they do it themselves. I usually clean my hamsters cage out once a month. Your hamster got sick from the bath.

Answer 5

He may be chatting with You yet in simple terms verify Him Over right now perchance He Has A Bruise / harm which you keep pressing once you're dealing with Him? yet while It became severe He might Have Bit You once you Picked Him Up . sturdy good fortune (:

Answer 6

Donot bath your hamster it will die.trust me i did this to my first hamster and i died from a cold they bath them selfs by licking there fur.and clean there cage once a week.good luck and take your hamster to a vet ASAP!

Answer 7

If you're using pine or cedar shavings, that could be the problem. Only use aspen shavings or paper based shavings like Carefresh.
The cedar and pine contain a lot of aromatic oils and dust that can be harmful to them.

Answer 8

you are joking arent you,you do not bath hamsters,he will now die of pnuemonia stupid,if it lives which i doubt clean cage out once a week

Answer 9

Ummm... I don't think hamsters really need bathing. Sounds like he'll die. Is it for your kid? They are pretty worthless as pets, unless it's for your kid. Get a dog or something.

Answer 10

you dont bathe them.
clean th cage out every 3-5 days.
take it to th vets as well.