Why is my senior hamster pooping and peeing too much in his wheel?

Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach! This may be due to a gastrointestinal issue such as gastroenteritis, colitis, parasites, among other possibilities. I recommend that you have him evaluated by a veterinarian for further assessment and treatment. Good luck and have a great day!

I’m sorry to hear about this with your hamster. As you mentioned, 2 is quite old for a hamster so we have to take that into consideration. His increased vocalizations are likely due to discomfort, probably from his illness. I would recommend taking him back to your veterinarian for a recheck just to make sure nothing else is going on. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of luck.

Hello, I'm so sorry to hear your hamster is not feeling well. The photo looks like she may have some diarrhea, which may help to explain why she has been lifting her bum up (tender) and has been lethargic. Her increased breathing rate may be a sign of pain. Unfortunately, two years old is considered elderly for a hamster so we also need to think about cancer as a possible cause as well. I would take her to a hamster-friendly vet as soon as possible. They may be able pinpoint a cause, and at least to provide medication to help with the diarrhea and pain, and fluids to help rehydrate her. I hope this helps.

Hi there! I'm so sorry to hear about Cupcake's troubles. Syrian hamsters are considered geriatric at 2 years of age. They can develop kidney issues or other illnesses that may make them sick. He may be displaying the odd behavior because he isn't feeling well. I would take him in to see a veterinarian who handles and treats hamsters to see if he needs medical attention. You can also try the water bottle again and maybe get a smaller on that he can't use to climb out of his cage. Or reinforce the cage in that area to make it harder for him to escape. Best of luck!

Although usually the opposite happens at this age, this could actually a bad sign, possibly a tumor affecting the brain or the hormonal system, or just him being very uncomfortable or in pain due to a disease. His age is very advanced, most hamsters do not make it to this age even in captivity, I would advise you to take him to the vet for a checkup ASAP.

It does sound as if Elmo is very ill. If you want to determine what is going on and have potential treatment options then going to the vet will be the best plan. However, it is important to keep in mind that Elmo is a very advanced age for a hamster, normal life expectancy is 2 years and he has already exceeded this. I hope this helps. Thanks for using Petco Pet Education Center, formerly Petcoach. Best of 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!