Drinking too much water?

[OmniscientOnus]

Alright, I have three dwarf hamsters. I also have three cages, and since all three are significantly different sizes, I alternate which hamster gets which cage every time I clean them. (I have a small cage, a slightly larger one, and a 90 gallon fish tank converted into a hamster cage... if you want pics, just ask).

Anyways, one of my hamsters drinks almost 5 times (literally) as much water as the other two. I have to refill his water bottle every couple of hours sometimes.

Here's where the importance of telling you I alternate cages weekly. The water bottles do not leak, and they are all different sizes which tells me that he's not just getting more water out of one particular kind. He also, obviously, urinates much more than the other hamsters which means I have to clean his cage out more often. I clean them all every week no matter what, but his I've had to clean up to 3 times in one week. He is not any more active than my other two, in fact, he is actually less active. Is there something wrong with him, or is he just different?

[animallovers200]

hmm....did you ever think that your hamster might be playing with the waterbottle? i have a guinea pigs who plays with hers instead of actually drinking it and we have to clean the cage like mad men.
Jessie
lilvampiress@sbcglobal.net in case u wanna email me!

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Ask me if u wanna know anything about them or see pics- - Pitbull- Pagan, Pitbull/Boxer- Amber, & Pitbull/Aussie- Hunter...2 Hamsters- Phantom and P-Chan...2 Rabbits- Snowy and Kouga...2 Birds- Rikki and Dandelion...2 Guineapigs- Emma and Caramel...Snake- Ribbon...Turtle- Chomper...2 Hikari Koi Fish- Sen and Ryoko...2 Goldfish- UNAMED!

[yodelinghamster]

If he is a younger hamster I wouldn't be worried, If he is older it is most likely just him:)

[OmniscientOnus]

I got him about a year ago, but I don't really know how old he was when we got him because he was a bit bigger than the other two when we got them.

I suppose he could be playing with it, I never thought of that. I'll watch him more often and see exactly what it is he's doing. Either way, I'm gald my suspicions were confirmed that there's nothing wrong with the little guy. Thanks Guys!

[animallovers200]

up! no problem, just glad to help out. :devil: :goodbad:
Jessie
lilvampiress@sbcglobal.net in case u wanna email me!

Ask me if u wanna know anything about them or see pics- - Pitbull- Pagan, Pitbull/Boxer- Amber, & Pitbull/Aussie- Hunter...2 Hamsters- Phantom and P-Chan...2 Rabbits- Snowy and Kouga...2 Birds- Rikki and Dandelion...2 Guineapigs- Emma and Caramel...Snake- Ribbon...Turtle- Chomper...2 Hikari Koi Fish- Sen and Ryoko...2 Goldfish- UNAMED!

[Mitchandozzie]

Hmm...Has this started recently? Or has he always done this? Is his pee and poop normal? Or is the pee really clear as opposed to milky, and the poop soft? I know it's not pleasant to check, but its a good thing to look for. Does he seem in any way unhealthy, like cloudy eyes, or anything? If anything ever seems suspicsious, see your vet, or you could call them. Most vets wont charge anything for this.

[TiaMaria]

Drinking alot of water is a sign of diabetes.

[OmniscientOnus]

Everything is normal about him except for the fact that he drinks so much. The thought of diabetes scares me a little. How do you change a diet for a diabetic hamster?

[OmniscientOnus]

Oh yeah, I forgot to ask. Is there any other signs I should look out for to see if he is diabetic?

[Mitchandozzie]

A blood test would help you tell if he has diabetes.

[TiaMaria]

Just take him down to the vet and they will test him for diabetes, if he does have diabetes they will help you work out food and etc. Diabetes are more commonly known in dwarf hamsters, but when diabetes happens nothing really changes, except there food, they cannot have treats, nothing sweet.
Your vet will be able to tell you more.