When Hamsters Have Red Eyes, Does That Mean They Are Blind

[MunkieBiznizz]

okay, i know this sounds like a really stupid question, and im really embarrassed for not knowing it, but googling it came up with no results so here i am. so i got my dwarf hamster november 25th..his name is cookie and he is the sweetest thing ever..i will post pix eventually..anyone..i have him in a 10 gallon aquarium..i know hamsters cant see very well to begin with, but if they have red eyes does that mean they are blind?:confused: ;) :) :laughing: :bunny1:

[Punkygirl0101]

No, having red eyes does not make a hamster blind. ;)

By the way, dwarf hamsters require plenty of floor space, a 10 gallon is too small. You should look into a bin cage. And they are also social ;)!

[pixibubbles]

agreed. red eyes dont mean blind.

even if he were it really wouldnt bother him much at all. hamsters have amazing other senses. i had a rescue syrian who went blind from cataracts at about 3... i had to be a little more careful with him jumping off things as he became more fearless lol

[HandcuffedAngel]

His eyes simply lack pigment.

Not blind. Teehee. Cataracts mean blindness [a grey-ish coloring in the eye].

[Chaos]

Well actually, red eyed hamsters (and other rodents) have worse depth perception, which is why they often sway their heads. The first time I saw this was on a PEW gerbil, and I got really worried, but it turned out to be normal. Their eyesight is considered worse than a black eyed hamster, but they're not blind, no.

[tvrodents]

Quite right regarding red eyes. Red eyed animals not only have less developed depth perception but cannot focus so well as black eyed animals. They are more sensitive to light though an albino or partial-albinos shouldnt be kept in bright light. This goes for all animals.

By the way, dwarf hamsters require plenty of floor space, a 10 gallon is too small. You should look into a bin cage. And they are also social !

Punky, this isnt strictly true. Campbells are social, most male winter whites are social. Some female winter whites are so aggressive to eachother that they will fight to the death. this is a fact. If we ignore the fact that chinese are not true dwarf hamsters and include them for a minute female chinese can rarely be kept together all their lives either. I even know people that have had trouble with their robos. The way you have worded this sounds a little like you are suggesting that this person go and get their hamster a friend. The chances of a relitively inexperienced person (no offence to the OP... i'm just making a little point) managing to introduce two adult hamsters without them scrapping is fairly slim.

Kat

[CookieDough24]

Good point TV! I have also known people who had to separate their male AND female WW(winter whites) because of agressive behavior. I don't think Punky was trying to give out wrong information, she just didn't explain herself fully! Don't worry, I do that all the time, luckily, my friends and family know me by now and what I actually mean!! lol :)

[PetLuver21257]

Hehe, he's not blind! :)

And I have Opie in a 10 gallon tank, he has plenty of room.