How to Treat Hamsters With Constipation

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How to Treat Hamsters With Constipation
Image Credit: IgorKovalchuk/iStock/GettyImages

A hamster with constipation can typically be treated with an increase in dietary fiber and water. However, chronic constipation or constipation paired with changes to eating, appearance or behavior warrants a visit to the vet.

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Signs of Constipation

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A hamster suffering from constipation may have a bloated abdomen and be sluggish. He may have hard, dry stool or even stool that becomes stuck in his rectum. Some constipation is a combination of hard stool and diarrhea.

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Constipation Causes and Cures

Dehydration is a common cause of constipation, so make sure your hamster always has fresh water. If you're using a bottle feeder, check that it's free-flowing and doesn't have any blockage. A diet high in fatty treats can also cause your hamster to get backed up. A hamster who eats nothing but commercial hamster food can become constipated as well, and adding in a tablespoon of fibrous vegetables like zucchini, cucumbers, spinach and other leafy greens every few days can help move things along.

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Medical Causes of Constipation

Your hamster could be constipated because of an underlying medical issue, like a bowel obstruction, tumor, liver disease or parasites. If symptoms of constipation don't improve within a day or two, see your vet for an evaluation. Blood work, urinalysis and even an X-ray or ultrasound may be used for diagnostic purposes. Hamsters can succumb to illness quickly, and a vet can help determine the underlying cause of constipation and outline an appropriate course of treatment.

Tip

Take a stool sample to the vet with you to help speed the diagnostic process.

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