A dwarf hamster is a small hamster that only grows to be 4 inches long.hamsters can get chubby if they're fed too much or don't exercise enough, even though they have fast metabolisms.The lifespan of a dwarf hamster is between 1.5 and 3 years.You should keep a record of your hamster's weight on a regular basis so you can modify his diet and/or exercise to keep him healthy.A hamster's weight alone isn't a sign of being obese.A hamster that weighs more than average but is healthy, active and eating properly should not worry you.
Step 1: Know the average weight of a dwarf hamster.
There are three different species of dwarf hamsters that are kept as pets.The average weight range for each species of hamster is as follows: A Russian or Siberia dwarf hamster, also known as a Winter White, normally weighs 1.5–2 ounces (43–57 g) on average.On average, a Roborovski dwarf hamster will weigh between 1 and 1.5 ounces.On average, a Chinese dwarf hamster will weigh between 1.5 and 1.8 ounces.
Step 2: You can find a scale to weigh your hamster.
The scale you use to register your hamster's weight needs to be designed for items like food and mail.Based on the average weight of a dwarf hamster, the scale needs to be able to read weights as small as 1 ounce.Scales such as these can be found in a lot of places.
Step 3: Put your hamster in a container.
Hamsters are known for sitting for long periods of time.You need to get your hamster to stay on the scale long enough to obtain a weight.If your hamster won't stay on her own, you can try to weigh her with a small box or container.The box needs to be large enough to hold your hamster, but small to fit on the scale.You can put a couple of treats inside the box or container.The weight of the box and treats will not be included in the measurement if the scale is reset to zero.Put your hamster in a box or container and hold her over the top to keep her from escaping.Take note of the weight.
Step 4: Track your hamster's weight.
Write down what your hamster weights are in a chart.Once a month, or once every few months, is when you should weigh your hamster.When you weigh your hamster, write it down in the chart.When weighing your hamster, compare his actual weight to the average adult weights for that hamster breed.You won't need to compare your baby hamster's weight to the adult average until he is at least 12 weeks old.Your hamster could be obese if it weights more than the average adult weight.
Step 5: Take care of your hamster's general health.
One way to determine if your hamster is overweight is to compare its weight to the average adult weight of that species of hamster.If you hamster has a higher than average weight, but she's active, energetic, bright-eyed, and eating properly, she may not be obese.There is a chance that your hamster is obese if she is showing signs of illness.Lack of energy and activity, dull eyes and fur, and excessive sleep are some of the general signs of illness.Feel the fat on your hamster's bones.hamsters are tiny, but you should be able to see where her ribs are.The hamster is likely to be obese if there is padding between your fingertips and spine.
Step 6: Put your pet on a diet.
If you discover that your hamster has an above-average weight and is getting a little lazy, it may be time to put him on a healthier diet with more time for exercise.Allowing your hamster to stay overweight for too long can lead to more serious problems, such as a reduced lifespan, type 2 diabetes, heat issues, and other circulatory system problems.A hamster diet requires you to follow a regular schedule and give your hamster the proper amount of food each day.Every day you should give your hamster the chance to do a variety of activities.A healthy diet and regular exercise should get your hamster back to an average weight.If your hamster has been overweight for a long time, or he is showing other signs of illness, you should take him to the vet.If you have concerns about your hamster's diet, it is a good idea to take him to the vet to get help with what and how much to feed him in order to lose weight.
Step 7: Make sure your hamster has access to water.
Like most pets, hamsters need access to a source of fresh water 24 hours a day.A water bottle that hangs on the side of the cage is the best source of water because hamsters spend most of their time inside their cages.It is best to refill your hamster's water bottle every day, as the bottle may hold enough water to last a day.A hamster can drink from a water bowl, but it's not recommended.It's easy for your hamster to get her poop or bedding in the water because bowls tip easily.Plastic is the most likely material to be used for a water bottle.Because hamsters like to chew things, plastic water bottles, and plastic food dishes are likely to get chewed and damaged over time and need to be replaced.You might want to consider buying a glass or metal water bottle because it won't need to be replaced later.
Step 8: Feed your hamster the correct amount of food.
You should look for store-bought hamster food that contains at least 12 and 15% fat.If your hamster is already obese, you should look for a food with less fat.The package should have this information printed on it.Hamsters need a lot of energy to be active, so they need high levels of carbohydrates in their food.When buying hamster food, make sure it hasn't expired by checking the expiry date.You can choose the bag with the furthest away date.If you have store-bought hamster food at home for more than three months, you should throw it out.hamsters only need to be fed a small amount of food each day.You can give it all at once, or you can break it up and feed it twice a day.Store your hamster's food in a dry place.You can put it inside a container and keep it in the fridge.50% of a hamster's daily food intake should be store-bought food.Feed your hamster both store-bought seed mixes and pellets at the same time.Your hamster may enjoy the variety.Grains, dried fruits, and vegetables are included in seed mixes.hamsters may pick and choose which items they eat and which they leave behind, and they're more likely to eat the high-fat items first.The high fat seeds can be removed if you sort out the seed mix.Pumpkin seeds, for example.They should only be given a treat once in a while.
Step 9: Cut up some fruit and vegetables for your pet.
Each hamster has her own preferences when it comes to fruits and vegetables.Every day, you can add 1 square inch of fruits and veggies to your hamster's diet.If you give your hamster too much food, he may get sick.It is a good idea to remove leftover fruits and veggies from your hamster's cage within 30 minutes.Hamsters can get sick from eating spoiled produce, because they can't tell if fruit or veggies have gone bad.There are many fruits and vegetables that are safe to feed your hamster.It is possible to give a hamster twigs from trees that aren't sprayed with pesticides.If you have a hamster, you should avoid the following fruits and vegetables: cabbage, onions, leeks, sorrel, rhubarb, raw potatoes, corn, alfalfa, citrus fruit, peaches, apricots, nectarines, pineapple, raspberries, twigs from evergreen trees, horse chestnuts.
Step 10: Provide your hamster with healthy treats.
Every hamster has treats that she likes.If you want to give your hamster a special treat, you can give him a small amount of the following: whole wheat bread, cooked pasta or rice, sugar free cereals, potatoes, wheat, oats, and even dog biscuits.You can find cooked eggs, cottage cheese, live mealworms, insect larvae, crickets, and small bits of cooked chicken, beef, or fish in your hamster's diet.If you want to balance your hamster's diet, you should only give store-bought food that has enough calories.Most store-bought food has enough nutrition that you won't need to provide more.If you want to give your hamster one of the proteins listed above, you should only do so as a special treat.
Step 11: Your hamster's cage has a salt lick in it.
Hamsters, like a lot of wild animals, need to ingest salt on a regular basis in order to retain the water they drink and stay healthy.Sometimes small salt licks can be placed inside your hamster's cage in the form of a toy.Your hamster will only eat the salt he needs.
Step 12: It's important to pay attention to the amount of food your hamster has.
Squirrels hide their food and save it for later.Seed mixes make it easier for your hamster to eat because they are small.Make sure you feed your hamster only the amount of food she needs.She may have hidden her food in her cage in order to look like she's hungry.
Step 13: Provide your hamster with exercise.
A hamster wheel is the most common form of exercise.The wheels are open on one side and attached to the side of the cage.The hamster is able to run and climb inside.Exercise wheels that don't have gaps between the rungs are the best.Your hamster's foot can get caught in the gap on wheels with gaps.If your hamster's cage is in a bedroom, you might want to check out the quietest exercise wheel.When you're trying to sleep, hamsters use their wheels at night, so the quieter the better.
Step 14: Allow your hamster to get some exercise.
Hamsters like exercise.They should be on the move while they're awake.In the wild, hamsters can run over a mile in search of food.She can get a lot of exercise inside her cage, so make her a play area outside as well.You can let her out of the cage if you have other pets that don't harm or stress your hamster.You can build her a small play area enclosure if you prefer something a little more secure.Use old boxes, cardboard tubes, paper towel tubes and toilet paper to build a hamster play area.There are ramps and more.You can hide treats around the play area for your hamster to find.These items can be used to create a maze for your hamster.Allowing your hamster to climb the stairs is a great way to give her exercise.The dwarf hamster needs stairs that are covered in carpet.The hamster exercise ball is the quintessential exercise machine.It's a large plastic ball that has a door and lots of air vents.If you put the ball on the ground, you can put your hamster inside.Your hamster will run around inside like she would on her exercise wheel, but the ball will move from place to place so she can explore.It may look funny, but don't allow your hamster to go down the stairs in an exercise ball or near a pool.