My hamster is chunky. How much should I feed him to lose weight?

I would cut back the amount of hamster food and treats you offer him. If you feed him fruit or fruit based treats, I would cut this back as well. Finally I would increase his exercise. You may try to get a ball and let him run around the house in the ball a few times per day. You can also give him a wheel if he doesn’t already have one. 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.

Yes obesity can be quite dangerous as can predispose to diabetes, joint and mobility problems, respiratory problems and hypertension. Most commonly adult Syrian hamsters weight in between 140 and 180 grams. I would recommend to try to avoid as much as possible fatty seeds like sunflower ones. Typically a Syrian only requires about a tablespoon of food per day, plus a supplement or fruits and vegetables. Hope this answer was helpful, but please do not hesitate to contact us again on the forum or by requesting a consultation if you have any more questions or to discuss it any further.

If you feel his weight has changed quickly then I would be concerned that he could have something concerning going on such as fluid in the belly, or even a tumor. Of course there is always the chance that he is just overweight. I would encourage you to have him evaluated by your veterinarian. They can let you know if they have any concerns on what they find on physical exam. Best of luck and thank you for using Pet Coach.

Thanks for reaching out about Biscuit and including photos. Intestinal parasites can be checked through a fecal examination at the veterinary office. Renal disease, endocrine disorders and other conditions can lead to weight loss. A veterinary visit is highly recommended before the weight loss gets worse. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Vasia. It would be a mild concern that she has lost 20% of his body weight. Age is not a disease, and some organ system is probably responsible for the weight loss. Renal disease is fairly common in aging hamsters. Try and monitor water consumption and urination. Good luck.

Thanks for reaching out about Odin and including photos. This does not appear to be due to being overweight, as that would likely be symmetrical. An internal mass is likely, and could involve a kidney, liver, intestines or other organ. A veterinary visit is recommended to assess and provide a diagnostic/treatment plan. Monitor appetite, urination and defecation. Good luck.