Droppie lost some weight

[Veer]

She was around 48-50gr a week ago.
In the past week she has been emptying her bowl everyday, she didn't do that before.
I haven't searched for a hoard yet, but she must have a big one somewhere.
I had her out this morning and noticed that she felt light.
She lost weight in a week and now weighs 42grams.
She seems happy and healthy otherwise
Could it be the change of seasons?
It is darker during the day and gets dark earlier in the evening.
What do you think?
Maybe i should check her teeth, but how?

 

[Socks' Mum]

It is worrying when they lose weight. I'm not sure how to examine a hamster's teeth. That is a tricky but important question. I'm not sure how a vet would look at them without sedation. Teeth can be a big worry with rodents. If you find something quite hard on her hoard that has been chewed, such as a peanut or maize kernel, that might be reassuring. I hope lovely Droppie regains her weight soon

 

[Maz]

I would just keep an eye on it and check again in a few days - sometimes scales vary in accuracy as well- even digital ones. My digital ones are usually ok but if the batteries start to go they can get very unreliable. Thankfully I found changing the batteries helped.

 

[Veer]

I don't think it is the scale, she also felt light when i had her in my hands.
Will keep an eye on her and will see if i can find a big hoard.
I give her about 5gr mix daily with some science selective (about 8, pieces) in a different bowl, but she also takes all the ss from the bowl.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I don't think it is the scale, she also felt light when i had her in my hands.
Will keep an eye on her and will see if i can find a big hoard.
I give her about 5gr mix daily with some science selective (about 8, pieces) in a different bowl, but she also takes all the ss from the bowl.

Sending wishes for health and healing

 

[Veer]

I think it might be the change of season. My previous hamster Hammie had the same issue during the fall.
She started hoarding and lost weight. I put her on only kibble for a while and she gained weight. Ukkie never showed this behaviour in fall or winter, so maybe it is a female thing?

Today a placed a light next to her tank, it is on a timer to give her light until 10pm.
In the past days i saw her running around in the tank, standing up to the walls, and just now i saw her (on camera) hang on the cagebars on the top of the tank.
I took the house out from where she probably got to the cagebars, and scattered some mixture around her cage. She had already had a double portion of her daily food today and the past few days.
Maybe it is seasonal behaviour/instinct, but this also looks like some kind of stress behaviour.
Could she be bored?
Maybe i can change her cage layout to distract her? last time is about a month ago.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I wonder if Droppie would like out of cage time or time in a playpen?

 

[Maz]

Yes that could be it - she wants to come out I tend to not change their cage layout as that can stress some hamsters but I suppose they vary. I hope her weight stabilises.

 

[Veer]

I have her out everyday, but only for a few minutes on the couch with me.
She likes to climb on me and loves being cuddled.
I do not have a playpen for her, my previous hamsters didn't care much about attention and being out the cage, but maybe Droppie likes it.
What playpen do you have?

 

[Socks' Mum]

I've got an Omlet playpen. They are in Maz's Amazon shop. You can get a small 80cm square one or one that is double that. They are nice and chewy proof and can be folded up for storage

 

[Maz]

I have her out everyday, but only for a few minutes on the couch with me.
She likes to climb on me and loves being cuddled.
I do not have a playpen for her, my previous hamsters didn't care much about attention and being out the cage, but maybe Droppie likes it.
What playpen do you have?

Aw that's lovely she gets sofa time and cuddles Yes the forum has an Amazon store now, but I've only got as far as doing a Uk one so far.

I also have the Omlet playpen (and you can get it direct from Omlet as well - link below), and for me it's the best one I've ever had, because it folds up so small and quickly and easily. But I don't bother with the waterproof base as it takes longer then. I've had the Happy Henry Homes one as well and that was good - although the tabs can snap off sometimes that hold the corners together. Getzoo also do a good one but it's very expensive. Although the Omlet one is also expensive.

Omlet playpen Netherlands page

The forum Amazon store link is on this page if you're interested in having a look It's curated lists of hamster items. There are other playpen options as well though. The Songmix one is also popular and that is inexpensive.

The Forum's Amazon Uk shopping store

The Hamster Forum now has it's own Amazon storefront :-) Note: This is just for Uk Amazon - I will do a USA one as well when I have time! All it is, is curated lists of hamster-safe items, in categories, so a list for wheels, a list for bedding, a list for houses and hides, a list for...

www.thehamsterforum.com

 

[ilguy]

Don't be afraid to supplement her diet with extra mealworms and a little bit more treats. I had a spell with my last ham where he was shedding weight despite a carefully macro'ed diet. I imagine like people they have different metabolisms and there isn't a one size fits all diet.

Also how old is she?

 

[Socks' Mum]

Don't be afraid to supplement her diet with extra mealworms and a little bit more treats. I had a spell with my last ham where he was shedding weight despite a carefully macro'ed diet. I imagine like people they have different metabolisms and there isn't a one size fits all diet.

Also how old is she?

Henry got toasted cheese sandwiches and was particularly partial to whipped sour cream

 

[Veer]

She is about 4 months old now.
I give her niteangel tofu (dried) and mealworms daily.
She also has science selective and lots of mixerama and/or little one mix.
She just seems to hoard it all.