My hamster isn't drinking water. Is she sick or is this normal?

Thanks for reaching out about Emilia. Hamsters are desert animal and are very efficient at absorbing water from arid foods. Feeding cucumber provides a lot of water and thereby decreased the need for water consumption. Eliminate cucumber from the diet to see if this induces water consumption. Good luck.

Hamsters don't drink a lot of water in general so I don't think this is pathological if everything else seems normal. Keeping a high water intake is always good for the kidneys so continue to give them the damp veggies. You can also give them berries and fruits which have a naturally high water content. You could also try a water bowl and mix in something tasty like fruit juice (make sure to get the organic and unsweetened variety). I hope this answers your questions!

Short answer yes. Hamsters may suffer from a condition called “wet tail” which usually manifest itself with watery stools. Because their body doesn't absorb water properly they tend to drink a lot. This condition is usually fatal if not treated ASAP. Of course there could be many more reasons for a hamster to suddenly drink more (like change of food or kidney problems) but “wet tail” is the most common condition to cause this symptom. I would advice to take him to the vet, the sooner the better. Food luck!

Guinea pigs do not drink much, so it is normal that you do not see them drink often and that the water level doesn't seem to change a lot. do not worry, they drink the amount they need, you do not have to do anything to make them drink more.

You may need to revisit his water source in his enclosure. If you are using a bowl, he may not be used to drinking water from a bowl. Conversely, if you are using a bottle, he may not be used to drinking that way. Call the place where you got him and ask them how they were offering him water. He may not like the taste of your water if you are using it from the tap. You may need to use filtered or bottled water. In the meantime, you can use a syringe (or use a dropper) to see if you can get some water into him. Hope this helps. Best wishes.

Thanks for reaching out about Cloud. Increased water consumption can be an indication of early kidney disease, but other conditions such as a urinary tract infection, diabetes, liver disease, uterine disease and behavioral changes can also be relevant. If the problem persists, seek a visit with a veterinarian. Good luck.

This usually isn't normal. He could have a urinary tract infection, diabetes or other type of problem. I would have your vet take a look at him. Since he is so small I want to make sure he isn't going to become dehydrated. If something is causing him to drink a lot then chances are his body isn't able to keep up with his hydration. Your vet will be able to do an exam, assess hduration, and do blood work if needed. I hope this helps!