Last updated on January 22nd, 2023 at 07:10 pm
Hamsters can eat various foods to get enough nutrients to be healthy and live longer.
But in addition to food, hamsters should also drink liquids, which keep them hydrated and which they need for the proper functioning of their organism.
Water is the best drink for hamsters, but you may wonder if they can drink other liquids, juices, etc.
What can hamsters drink?
Hamsters can only drink water because it is the only drink that is good for their health. Water offers vitamins and minerals that improve hamsters’ health; 3-4 tablespoons of water is all they need daily. Hamsters can drink plain, bottled, or filtered water; the most important thing is that the water is clean and fresh. Juices, teas, milk, and coffee are not suitable for their health.
In today’s article, you will learn what hamsters should and should not drink daily.
Why do hamsters need water?
Water is indispensable, and it is the best possible drink for hamsters.
She helps them hydrate to make all the hamsters’ organs function correctly. Otherwise, dehydration and diseases will occur in them.
Water provides nutrients such as sodium, potassium, and chloride that are excellent for hamster health.
Water is an essential liquid for hamsters. If you try to replace it with any other drink, it will kill the hamster.
What kind of water should hamsters drink?
Hamsters can drink tap water if it is safe and clean, and if the tap water is contaminated, then you should give them boiled tap water, but you should let it cool down first.
Hamsters can also drink bottled or filtered water; this kind of water is already purified so that you can give it to your pets immediately.
No matter what water you give your pets, the most important thing is that it is clean and safe to drink.
Can hamsters get dehydrated?
Yes, hamsters can become dehydrated if they stay 3-4 days without water.
If hamsters become dehydrated, it can be very dangerous for their life, so water is very important for them to function.
Hamsters need fresh drinking water daily, so the water bowl must be replenished and cleaned regularly.
When hamsters are dehydrated, it can be noticed by the following signs:
- by the dark color of their urine
- their skin loses elasticity
- they start to lose weight
Hamsters sometimes do not drink water if they have eaten food with a large amount of water in its composition or will not drink water if the water bottle is clogged.
Another reason they don’t drink water can be if they are under stress, it can be from predators, change of environment, new home and so on.
Once the stress is over, the hamster will drink normal amounts of water again.
How much water should a hamster drink daily?
Hamsters should drink 1-4 teaspoons of water daily to avoid dehydration.
This amount of water is not very large, but it is quite enough to keep them hydrated.
If they eat food with a lot of water, like cucumber, don’t expect them to drink 1-4 tablespoons of water; they won’t need that amount of water for that day.
Water drinking in hamsters also depends on whether it is summer or winter, if it is warmer they drink more water.
If the hamsters are not drinking enough water they should be taken to the vet to see what is the problem with your pet.
Can hamsters die if they don’t drink water?
Yes, hamsters will die if they don’t drink water for 3 days.
After just one day without water, they will begin to dehydrate, and their health will immediately decline.
If you are not at home for a long time, you should find someone who will give them water daily, it should be changed and fresh and clean water should be given to them.
Why do hamsters sometimes drink too much water?
If the hamster drinks too much water, it is not good for them, it means that they have some health problem.
If your pet has kidney problems it can be manifested by drinking a lot of water. A wet tail and urinary tract infection can be reasons for hamsters to drink too much water.
You should take your pet to the vet for a check-up in these situations.
Is it better for hamsters to drink water from a bottle or a water bowl?
Hamsters should drink water from a bottle.
Hamsters can drink water from both a bottle and a water bowl, but a bottle is better because it collects fewer bacteria.
The water bowl can spill and even drown your hamster in the water bowl itself. Only the strap must be correctly adjusted so your pet can drink water without problems.
How high should the hamster water bottle be?
The water bottle for the hamsters should be placed high enough to reach and drink quickly.
The bottle should not be placed too high, so as not to stretch your pet.
Older hamsters have a more challenging time reaching the water bottle so height is important so they can easily drink water.
Can hamsters drink soda water?
No, hamsters should not drink carbonated water as the carbonation can cause stomach problems.
It is not terrible if hamsters drink a few drops of carbonated water, but in general this kind of water is not good for them.
So avoid giving them carbonated water, stick to plain fresh tap water or filtered water.
Can hamsters drink milk?
Hamsters should consume only mother’s milk when they are still babies, and then when they grow up they should not drink milk.
Milk, whether cow’s or soy, is not at all good for digestion in their stomach because it contains fats and proteins that are very difficult to process in their digestive system.
Milk, besides not being good for them, if it is poured into their cage, it can only cause the appearance of bacteria and mold that are dangerous for the health of our pets.
Can hamsters drink juice?
No, hamsters should not drink juices because they contain a lot of added sugars that harm their health.
Too much sugar in juices can cause:
- diabetes
- thickness
- lethargy
- stomach ache
- diarrhea
- dehydration
Apart from the sugar, there is a lot of acidity in the juices which can only cause additional problems and diseases in the hamsters, a few drops of juice is not terrible, but the juices should certainly not be given to the hamsters.
The only way to give them some juice is if you dilute home-squeezed fruit juice by adding water and mixing it in a 50-50 ratio, that’s the only way hamsters can safely try some juice.
Can hamsters drink tea or coffee?
No, hamsters cannot drink tea or coffee; they are harmful to them.
The caffeine found in coffee and certain teas (black and green tea) causes an increase in weight in hamsters and an increase in blood pressure and heart rate.
Therefore, avoid giving such drinks to your pets; stick to water.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Goji Berries?
Can hamsters drink alcohol?
Hamsters can drink alcohol indirectly, but it is not recommended because it will cause them health problems.
In nature, hamsters often drink alcohol through fruits that ferment in winter and produce ethanol.
Hamsters can metabolize alcohol very quickly, but you should not give them whiskey or vodka under no circumstances.
It is not the same to ingest ethanol through natural fruits and drink alcohol from a bottle or glass, and only water is the best drink for them.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Lavender? (Benefits, Serving, Risks)
Conclusion
Hamsters can drink only water; it is the only healthy drink for their health.
All other drinks such as milk, coffee, juices, tea or alcohol are not good for them, and may cause them health problems.
Hamsters need to drink water daily, about 1-4 tablespoons is quite enough to keep them hydrated and have a normal daily intake of water.
If hamsters do not drink water for 3-4 days, they may die, and after the first day without water, they will begin to dehydrate.
Finally, water is irreplaceable and the only drink that hamsters should drink.
read more: Can Hamsters Eat Marshmallows?
