Why isn't my hamster drinking water after eating too much cucumber?

If you are feeding a lot of greens, cucumber, bits of fruit, etc, it is likely that GuaGua will not drink because she is getting enough moisture from the fresh food. Hamsters are steppe animals which do not have a very large requirement for water. So if your hamster is lively and happy and eats her greens and other food, then I would not worry too much about her actually drinking water. Just make sure there is fresh water available at all times.

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!

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.

Thanks for reaching out about Hazel and am sorry for your loss. Increased water consumption could have been due to kidney, liver, uterine or endocrine problems. There is also psychogenic polydipsia (behavioral increased water consumption). Without an autopsy, an answer can't been given. Sorry again for your loss.

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 Daabool and including a photo. Hamsters are desert animals, highly capable of extracting water from their food. Biting is a common fear response in hamsters, and continuing to earn/win trust by offering treats, keeping movements slow and deliberate. Try removing Daabool from his environment with a scoop or cup, to move to a neutral territory (i.e. table top). Then see if interactions are aggressive. Sometimes its just territorial defense. 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!