Why is my 2-month-old hamster pup small but active? Is she sick?

Runts frequently have underlying issues, some congenital, in addition to being small. He may catch up or he may fail to thrive. Without a physical exam, it is difficult to say definitively. Consider keeping him separated to prevent bullying or aggression. Make sure he continues to eat and drink. Weigh him frequently to confirm gains.

I would recommend to continue to supplemental feeding. Its possible that there is a congenital problem that is causing her to be so small compared to her littermates. I would recommend a vet visit to see if anything can be determined on physical exam. I would also recommend deworming the whole litter and mom to make sure parasites aren't a problem. The doctor may recommend bloodwork to check for any signs of liver problems. I hope this helps!

Hello, and congratulations on your new hamster! Baby hamsters are so small that you may not notice any urine that gets soaked up by the bedding. Poops will be very small at this age too, probably no larger than 1-2 mm in length. You can search through the bedding for these, but if Pebbles is eating and active, then I would not worry too much. Certainly if her energy or appetite decreases, I would then seek veterinary attention as she may not be feeling well. I hope this helps, and that Pebbles continues to do well!

Hello. There always seems to be one puppy that just seems to struggle, but this does not mean anything is wrong. As long as you see the mother dog nursing her, cleaning her, & not ignoring or pushing this puppy to the side, then she will be fine. Often these slow starters will easily catch up to their littermates in time. Just keep a close eye on everyone. Buying a small digital kitchen scale & taking weights 2 times a week will make sure everyone is growing. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.

Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! It is important that you do not disturb Snow, as even a small amount of stress can cause her to neglect or even canibalize her pups. If this is her first litter, she may be a little confused and not necessarily know what to do. I recommend moistening her food a little bit with water and placing it closer to the nest, without disturbing it. This will provide her with some extra hydration. This moist food should be changed daily to avoid mold from growing in the cage. The pups should start eating food on their own by the time they are about 3 weeks old, and can be removed from the cage at this time. I hope this helps!

Thanks for reaching out about Obelix. Being in fit condition after loosing weight is not necessary a problem, especially if very active. Hamsters are basically desert animals and drink little anyways. Monitor for now to determine if continues to loose weight. A veterinary visit would be needed to determine if a problem exists. Good luck.

I am wondering if she could be a different breed then you were told if you feel she is so small. As long as she isn't sick then it is just her and she may not get so big. If you are concerned I would discuss this with your veterinarian and they can evaluate her to see if she is a healthy pup. Thank you for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach.