Hamsters are a fun and interactive pet to have, but they do come with some special needs. What can hamsters drink? 5 Drinks. Amazing Info. This article will exactly deal with this. What drinks should you avoid giving your hamster? What is the best way to tell if your hamster is dehydrated? I will answer these questions and more in this article!
This article will explore some of the most commonly asked questions about what hamsters should and shouldn’t put in their mouths.What they cannot have is a lot more diverse than what they can. And the answer isn’t always clear-cut…
Small animals like hamsters are delicate creatures that need water to survive. They also enjoy drinking out of their bottles just as you do. Hamsters need water to balance their fluids and regulate their body temperature. Drinking is an instinctive behavior for them, something they can’t help doing every day. So what should you know about your pet’s drink? What should you offer them? Let’s find out!
What Can Hamsters Drink? 5 Drinks. Amazing Info
Can Hamsters Drink Water?
Water is safe for hamsters to drink and should be available at all times. In the wild, hamsters get most of their moisture from seeds and other vegetation, but they will drink water if it is available. In captivity, you can offer your pet a bottle filled with fresh, cold water to keep them hydrated.
Hamsters, like humans and other mammals, need to drink plenty of water. This is because they can’t produce their own body fluids and rely on the food that they eat for this very important resource.
Water provides a number of nutrients essential for life, such as sodium (which helps regulate blood pressure), potassium (a mineral which regulates fluid balance in cells) and chloride (helps maintain acid-base homeostasis).
If your pet doesn’t have access to any fresh, clean water for an extended period of time, it will become dehydrated or thirsty. If not treated, this condition can quickly lead to life-threatening illnesses such as urinary tract infections, liver disease, kidney failure, and more…
However, if you are giving your pet bottled drinking water, it is best not to use carbonated varieties as this may cause gas buildup in their stomachs and lead to discomfort or pain.
If you’re concerned about the quality of your tap-water, there are some things to keep in mind. First of all, avoid distilled or purified water, as these can lack important minerals and vitamins that hamsters need.
What’s more, if you live somewhere with really old piping (like an apartment complex), this might not be a good choice either because it could contain lead – another heavy metal which is obviously very dangerous for small furry animals like hamsters!
What should I do? What other options are available? If you prefer using bottled drinking water, then try an organic brand, carbon neutral brands, or at least one with low levels of fluoride. What’s more, I would avoid using bottled drinking water (tap or distilled/purified) if your pet is already dehydrated because these can leave them with an electrolyte imbalance which isn’t good either!
If you have any concerns at all about what kind of water to give your pet, then just stick with regular potable water.
Quick Tip:You can buy mineral water from a pet store instead if you’re concerned about chemicals and additives in tap-water.
Dehydration In Hamsters
One of the most common causes of dehydration among small animals like rabbits and ferrets is heat-stroke due to exposure to high temperatures. This doesn’t really apply when it comes to hamsters though, since most of them naturally live in hotter climates and are used to drinking limited water and higher temperatures.
What you should be aware of here is that being exposed to cool air often leads to a loss of body fluids through breathing… so make sure you don’t have any drafts blowing directly towards your pet!
Another reason why hamsters can become dehydrated is that they lose access to their water supply or simply don’t drink enough. What does this mean? If the drinking bottle isn’t working properly for any reasons, you should get it checked out ASAP and keep an eye on your furry friend in case he/she starts going thirsty.
There are some other ways in which a lack of hydration can show itself, but most of these aren’t very common in domestic pets: dry mouth, sunken eyes, loss of skin elasticity (poor skin turgor), etc… Keep an eye out for these symptoms if you suspect anything might be wrong with your animal companion! A trip to the vet will be necessary in case dehydration is detected.
Water Bottles Vs WaterBowls For Hamsters? What’s The Difference?
This is a question that many pet owners have for sure! Simply put, there are actually some pretty big differences between water bottles and water bowls. What do hamsters need out of their drinking equipment to stay healthy and hydrated? Let’s take a look at what you should consider before making your purchase:
Water Bottles – Pros : A good quality bottle can be used safely by most small pets, including rodents such as mice or hamsters. Just make sure it has an adequate capacity (most brands will state this on their packaging).
It is also very easy-to-use and provides clean fresh water all day long. What’s more, they’re always ready even if you don’t have time to visit your pet or if you’re on vacation. What’s more, water bottles can be used in any cage setup, including wire cages, without any problems because they are very easy to clean and maintain!
Water Bottle Cons : The biggest downside is that some animals just don’t take well to these sorts of items, which means it may need replacing often. Another potential problem with them is accidental leakage through the spout, so make sure this doesn’t happen by checking the quality before making a purchase.
Water Bowls – Pros : This sort of bowl works really well for small pets who have trouble reaching their heads inside things like bottles but still require fresh drinking water throughout the day (water bowls tend to get dirty much more quickly than bottles do).
What’s more, this option is much cheaper than most water bottles, and it doesn’t require any special cleaning or maintenance, so you don’t have to worry about buying replacement parts.
Water Bowl Cons :The main issue with open water bowls in hamster cages is that they can get contaminated very easily and this in turn can cause infections in your pet hamster. This is the main reason most pet owners prefer water bottles instead of open water bowls in hamster cages.
There is also the risk of accidental spilling of water inside the cage, which can create an unhygienic moist living condition for your pet.
What’s more, open containers like this can also pose a danger when placed inside their cages, as some pets may accidentally drown in them, if the bowl is big enough.
Can Hamsters Consume Milk?
Yes, hamsters can drink milk, but keep in mind that it shouldn’t be given too often and should never replace their regular water supply. There is a lot of difference between “can” and “should”! Milk is not, per se, toxic to hamsters. Hence, they can have milk. But should they have milk ? That is the important question here.
This one’s pretty easy because it’s not advisable at all! What’s more, your furry friend will not only be unable to digest lactose (the main sugar found in milk), but drinking a lot of it can also cause digestive problems and a range of other issues.
Hamsters are lactose intolerant after weaning, meaning their ability to digest milk enzymes decreases. This can lead them to diarrhea if they’re given dairy products and other foods made with cow’s milk or goats’ cheese, etcetera.
The risk of this condition increases as your hamster ages because its body becomes less efficient at producing the acids necessary to break down food proteins.
Debatable Point: I have come across a few articles on the internet and some people who voice their opinions in hamster forums. According to them, hamsters aren’t actually lactose intolerant and they cite certain studies which support this view.
We should always take these opinions with a grain of salt because, as far as research is concerned, they can never be generalised proof without more subjects being tested over time or even worldwide observations made about hamster habits towards dairy products.
My advice would be: Think twice before accepting any conclusion/opinion drawn out through discussions online between owners.They might just be plain opinions and not actual sustainable facts.
Can Hamsters Drink Fruit Juices ?
Yes, hamsters can drink fruit drinks, but keep in mind that they shouldn’t be given too often and should never replace their regular water supply.
Fruit juices are not, per se, toxic to hamsters. But most commercial fruit juices contain huge amounts of sugar, which isn’t good for your pet at all. This means you need to make sure you buy 100% fresh squeezed or organic types instead.
What we know for sure is that fruit juices can contain a lot of sugar and other additives like color (not necessarily natural) which might harm your pet’s health if they drink too much of it.
Many brands also add lots of extra ingredients like preservatives, so always check the label before buying them.
Most people who give their pets a few tablespoons of store bought commercial apple juice or orange juice on the odd occasion aren’t aware of what they’re doing to them.
What happens when your furry friend drinks these kinds of beverages is an increase in acidity within its digestive tract which triggers diarrhea-like symptoms such as soft stools etcetera.
This isn’t only uncomfortable for the animal but also quite dangerous if left untreated, because diarrhoea can cause dehydration very quickly, which will affect all bodily functions .
Can Hamsters Drink Coffee Or Tea ?
No, hamsters can’t drink coffee or tea . The risk with caffeinated beverages is that they will cause an increase in body temperature which results from its caffeine content increasing heart rate and blood pressure levels within the animal.
The same applies for caffeinated beverages as it does with sugary ones: an increased risk of developing diabetes which will ultimately not only decrease their lifespan but also decrease its quality too!
In terms of tea; caffeine is present in both black and green teas, which means the answer above still stands. What this basically means is that if you want your pet hamster to live a long and healthy life, then stay away from all caffeinated drinks, no matter how innocent they may seem.
Here is more information Can hamsters drink tea?Testing Out The Myth That Hamsters Can Drink Tea! – Pet Nutrition Planet
Can Hamsters Drink Pepsi Or Coke ?
As much as you want to give your hamster a treat by offering it an occasional sip of pepsi or coke, try and stay away from feeding these kinds of drinks because they will cause problems in the long run.
The caffeine content in both beverages is very high, which means that stomach irritation, dehydration, and even diabetes can become a common problem for your pet hamster if consumed regularly .
What happens when your hamster drinks carbonated beverages is an increase in the pressure and volume of air within its stomach, which triggers gastrointestinal discomfort such as bloating & gas, to name a few.
Can Hamsters Drink Alcohol ?
No, hamsters can’t drink alcohol.The problem here with any kind of alcoholic beverage isn’t on account of the ethanol contained within its chemical make up, but rather due to the huge amounts of sugar which are added as well.
This type of sugary mix might taste great for us humans, but it’s extremely harmful to our tiny friends.
In terms of sugar; what you don’t realise is that regular consumption of sugary drinks can result in tooth decay, obesity, and weight gain, which are all problems commonly found in pets today .
Wrapping Up
Hamsters need water to survive and thrive. Giving them access to fresh water 24×7 is the best thing you can do for your hamster in terms of health and happiness.
If you’re not sure what else they should drink, avoid anything other than plain old H2O! All other drinks like milk, fruit juices, aerated drinks, coffee, tea or alcohol are extremely unsafe and unsuitable for your hamsters.
There is no need for any other drinks such as milk or fruit juices because hamsters cannot process these substances properly and may actually get sick from them! So if you want your pet friend to enjoy its stay with you, stick strictly to fresh water – which is safe and best for them anyway!
XoXo
Genie
Related Questions
Can My Hamster Drink Tap Water?
Yes, your hamster can drink tap water, if it is potable. What you need to be careful about when feeding your pet tap water is that it doesn’t contain too much chlorine or fluoride, which are common additives in most cities’ drinking water supply .
In terms of the amount of chlorine added; what you don’t realise is that chlorine itself isn’t toxic, but rather it’s a by-product called trihalomethanes (THM)can come from its regular use .
What this basically means is that if your hammy drank water containing high levels of THMs, then they would become sick very quickly with symptoms similar to pneumonia and bronchitis developing within their respiratory system.
As long as you’re checking your tap water for chlorine and fluoride levels, then it should be ok to give tap water to your hamster.
What’s important to remember here is to never use distilled or reverse osmosis purified water as these two types of processed water are completely devoid of minerals . This can result in serious health problems over time, which ultimately lead to illnesses such as anaemia , osteoporosis, and even hypothyroidism developing within them .
If you have well water instead of city/municipal supplied tapwater, try using some carbon filters on faucet-mounted units. They will remove most contaminants and pollutants found in our groundwater supplies, including pesticides, lead , mercury, arsenic, chromium, etc.
Can Hamsters Drink Milkshake?
Can hamsters drink milkshakes? What about chocolate milk? The short answer is no. Your pet cannot safely drink these beverages .
The first reason is because of lactose intolerance. Hamsters do not have the enzymes necessary to digest milk, which means it can cause stomach upset if ingested in large amounts, – even resulting in diarrhoea episodes.
Secondly , these beverages are extremely high in sugar and can cause long-term ill effects on your hamsters’ bodies. Regular consumption of such high-sugar beverages may result in the development of diabetes.They might even become obese and suffer from all other incidental diseases on account of obesity.
So yes, you guessed it right – both chocolate milk and milkshakes should be off limits to your pet friend.
Can Hamsters Drink Almond Milk?
The answer is yes, almond milk can be safely given to your hamster . The only thing you need to make sure of is that it is the safe, unsweetened, pure variety! Almonds contain no lactose (milk sugars), but rather natural fats, which actually help develop strong bones in your pet’s body . Almond milk is very safe for your hamster friend.
What you need to do here is read labels before purchasing any plant-based milk – make sure it has no added sugars or sweeteners like agave syrup , honey, etc… These are all bad news bears when it comes to giving them as beverages.
Can Hamsters Drink Orange Juice? What About Apple Juice?
Can hamsters drink orange or apple juices? What a loaded question! The answer is both yes and no.
The first thing you need to know here is that these days, most commercialised fruit and vegetable juices on sale in stores have been stripped of their original essence, – which means they’ve had all the healthy benefits taken out of them. This might sound unbelievable, but it’s true . In fact, ,it has been found that some popular brand name 100% pure fruit/vegetable juices actually contain more added sugars than ordinary soda pop !
What this basically means for your pet friend is that if given such drinks regularly, then there are high chances its health will be compromised over time as a result . Excessive consumption of fruit juices can lead to malnutrition, weight gain, and an increased risk of diabetes.
What you need to do here is read labels before purchasing any fruit juice- make sure it has no added sugars or sweeteners like agave syrup , honey, etc… These are all bad news bears when it comes to giving them as beverages .
Always go for the fresh, homemade variety if possible, as it contains many times more essential nutrients than the commercial variety sold in stores!
Only give your hamster orange juice/apple juice sparingly (maximum once per week) & never serve them too much at a time either – remember, moderation is key !
