Luna
- Thread starter Matt_S
- Start date
- Messages
- 1,310
- Reaction score
- 1,605
- Points
- 1,298
Great to have you back! Luna is looking lovely ❤
- Messages
- 21,688
- Reaction score
- 38,731
- Points
- 1,373
1 year and 8 months is not that old 
But I know what you mean. At 20 months she is only 4 months off being two years old. And then they sometimes do start slowing down.
Slowing down is not such a bad thing - they are more chilled and confident and wise
But I know what you mean. At 20 months she is only 4 months off being two years old. And then they sometimes do start slowing down.Slowing down is not such a bad thing - they are more chilled and confident and wise
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 175
- Points
- 505
1 year and 8 months is not that old
Slowing down is not such a bad thing - they are more chilled and confident and wise
Well I need some advice before I make a vet appointment, 1 year and 8 months for me is a lot for a hammy especially as my last 2 made 16 months only.
1. Luna has a bald patch by her bag legs, I checked as to why this can happen and I saw many sites stating stress, not enough good foods or simply a bad habitat. Luna lives in a rat cage the Savac plaza whatever its called the biggest one you can get in UK, I got the screens made for her on the sides so she dont bite bars, her bedding I use almost 2x 85 litres of Kaytee, she has her flax sprays, whimzies, organic seed, boiled egg now and then with chicken and plenty of veg, so it can't be stress?
2. She not appears to be spitting some of her seed/food out in her bowel - but will eat only greens such as spinach/kale and broccoli.
3. She has lost weight and I can feel her bones at times.
4. But she is still hyper, on her wheel a lot, running around the flat and just generally seems happy, I see her drink water.
5. I was told by a previous vet, if she doesn't eat or drink, bring her in. She is eating, but little and is becoming thin.
So the only solution I have is to book her a vet appointment but with my last hamster they said, is she eating and drinking, I said yes and they all is well keep an eye. I don't like that advice. How do I know shes not in pain?
- Messages
- 21,688
- Reaction score
- 38,731
- Points
- 1,373
She certainly looks fit and active, and doesn't look underweight Have you weighed her recently? It can be an idea to weigh weekly and see if her weight is stable or going down. They do start to feel bonier and leaner when they get older, so the main thing is if the weight is stable. I often start giving them higher calorie foods at this age Eg a pinch of shelled hemp seeds daily - they have all the vitamins and minerals needed and are high calorie and hamsters seem to like them and lick them up - they smell nutty. Nuts are fairly high calorie as well so maybe half a walnut twice a week.
However a common thing if they start losing weight in older age - is tooth problems. ie she might be having difficulty eating hard food if she has toothache. They still pouch and hoard it. As that's a possibility you can also supplement with soft food (still giving her usual hamster mix as well). eg a bit of scrambled egg, porridge, baby food - something different each day maybe. Porridge and scrambled egg are cheap enough! Baby food can get a bit expensive. Hemp seeds aren't expensive and last forever, and a packet of walnuts lasts a long time.
Also it would be a good idea to check her front teeth if you can and see that they haven't grown too long. If they get too long, they can't open their mouth wide enough to actually eat and that can cause rapid weight loss.
It can be difficult to check that - you can wait till she yawns, or you can do a test by giving her something like a monkey nut and see if she can actually pick it up in her teeth.
A bit of fur loss is common in old age as well. It could be ageing. With a female hamster it might be hormones.
I can understand you feeling apprehensive if the other two only lived to 16 months. All my Syrians have lived to at least 2 years and 3 months, so maybe you were just unlucky, It can vary though depending on the hamster, but they often do live to 2 and a half or even longer.
Around aged two I usually notice weaker back legs - and it;s a good time to lower things in the cage so they can access everything easily.
Have you weighed her recently? It can be an idea to weigh weekly and see if her weight is stable or going down. They do start to feel bonier and leaner when they get older, so the main thing is if the weight is stable. I often start giving them higher calorie foods at this age Eg a pinch of shelled hemp seeds daily - they have all the vitamins and minerals needed and are high calorie and hamsters seem to like them and lick them up - they smell nutty. Nuts are fairly high calorie as well so maybe half a walnut twice a week.However a common thing if they start losing weight in older age - is tooth problems. ie she might be having difficulty eating hard food if she has toothache. They still pouch and hoard it. As that's a possibility you can also supplement with soft food (still giving her usual hamster mix as well). eg a bit of scrambled egg, porridge, baby food - something different each day maybe. Porridge and scrambled egg are cheap enough! Baby food can get a bit expensive. Hemp seeds aren't expensive and last forever, and a packet of walnuts lasts a long time.
Also it would be a good idea to check her front teeth if you can and see that they haven't grown too long. If they get too long, they can't open their mouth wide enough to actually eat and that can cause rapid weight loss.
It can be difficult to check that - you can wait till she yawns, or you can do a test by giving her something like a monkey nut and see if she can actually pick it up in her teeth.
A bit of fur loss is common in old age as well. It could be ageing. With a female hamster it might be hormones.
I can understand you feeling apprehensive if the other two only lived to 16 months. All my Syrians have lived to at least 2 years and 3 months, so maybe you were just unlucky, It can vary though depending on the hamster, but they often do live to 2 and a half or even longer.
Around aged two I usually notice weaker back legs - and it;s a good time to lower things in the cage so they can access everything easily.
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 175
- Points
- 505
She certainly looks fit and active, and doesn't look underweight
However a common thing if they start losing weight in older age - is tooth problems. ie she might be having difficulty eating hard food if she has toothache. They still pouch and hoard it. As that's a possibility you can also supplement with soft food (still giving her usual hamster mix as well). eg a bit of scrambled egg, porridge, baby food - something different each day maybe. Porridge and scrambled egg are cheap enough! Baby food can get a bit expensive. Hemp seeds aren't expensive and last forever, and a packet of walnuts lasts a long time.
Also it would be a good idea to check her front teeth if you can and see that they haven't grown too long. If they get too long, they can't open their mouth wide enough to actually eat and that can cause rapid weight loss.
It can be difficult to check that - you can wait till she yawns, or you can do a test by giving her something like a monkey nut and see if she can actually pick it up in her teeth.
A bit of fur loss is common in old age as well. It could be ageing. With a female hamster it might be hormones.
I can understand you feeling apprehensive if the other two only lived to 16 months. All my Syrians have lived to at least 2 years and 3 months, so maybe you were just unlucky, It can vary though depending on the hamster, but they often do live to 2 and a half or even longer.
Around aged two I usually notice weaker back legs - and it;s a good time to lower things in the cage so they can access everything easily.
I think I will book her a vet appointment you mentioned teeth and I saw her yawn the other day, I saw 2 yellow teeth like your suppose to but she is not touching any seed anymore, I get organic seed from a seller at etsy, she use to eat it all the time, mealworms she will leave as well. Today she left her boiled egg but ate spinach and a small pea size of water melon. I was ready for my other hamsters when their time came, not in a bad way but I bonded with them and I prepared myself, the bond I have with Luna is different, she's like my child. I call her and she stands on two legs to look at me. My partner feels the same. But in this case I am not ready to accept or loose her as she's so different to the others (and thats not saying the other beautiful fluff balls were bad) but Luna reacts to the name Luna lol. I am a 34 year old man who will be a mess when she goes!
- Messages
- 21,688
- Reaction score
- 38,731
- Points
- 1,373
They really are like our children aren't they And also a friend. Yes a vet check sounds like a good idea - get everything checked out. Try not to think yet about when she goes - enjoy the time you have together - and enjoy the change as she gets older - it can be quite special.
I have felt like that before, but on a couple of occasions I wished they would go - odd as that sounds, when they get so old they start to suffer and you wonder how long to wait.
And also a friend. Yes a vet check sounds like a good idea - get everything checked out. Try not to think yet about when she goes - enjoy the time you have together - and enjoy the change as she gets older - it can be quite special.I have felt like that before, but on a couple of occasions I wished they would go - odd as that sounds, when they get so old they start to suffer and you wonder how long to wait.
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 175
- Points
- 505
I dont sleep until early hours hence like now its 01:50, Luna use to be out but she is no longer out at night anymore, maybe its because of me? the lights are on? She comes out at 17:00-18:00, then back out around 20:00-21:00 then thats it until next day.They really are like our children aren't they
I have felt like that before, but on a couple of occasions I wished they would go - odd as that sounds, when they get so old they start to suffer and you wonder how long to wait.
The other night I was awake until 5am (no lights on couldn't sleep) she didnt come out once).
Last edited by a moderator:
- Messages
- 63
- Reaction score
- 155
- Points
- 568
Still gorgeous!
- Messages
- 1,310
- Reaction score
- 1,605
- Points
- 1,298
Luna is so beautiful. Her little face is so expressive when she looks at you. I'm not surprised you are worried. She is precious. Its a good idea to ask the vet to check her teeth. Rodent teeth can be a problem. Socks enjoys a bit of cooked porridge very much and seems more energetic after he's had some ❤
- Messages
- 1,310
- Reaction score
- 1,605
- Points
- 1,298
It must be difficult when their quality of life decreases. I wonder what lies ahead for Socks and what it will be like. Their lives are so full of joy, but they are measured in months really. I think we know this though in the back of our minds, and try to make every minute count ❤They really are like our children aren't they
I have felt like that before, but on a couple of occasions I wished they would go - odd as that sounds, when they get so old they start to suffer and you wonder how long to wait.
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 175
- Points
- 505
What porridge is this I may I ask? I am guessing plain but is it with water?
- Messages
- 1,310
- Reaction score
- 1,605
- Points
- 1,298
Yes, just a tiny bit of water. Sainsbury's plain oats are fine ❤
- Messages
- 21,688
- Reaction score
- 38,731
- Points
- 1,373
Any porridge oats are fine. It can be a fiddle making a small amount in a mug - I put about a heaped teaspoonful in a mug and a bit of water and microwave for about 10 seconds at a time and leave it reasonably runny and not too sticky. And then it needs to cool - it thickens as it cools hence leaving it fairly runny to start with. I used to get the instant strawberry baby porridge from Ella's kitchen which was quicker and easier and the hamster's loved it - unfortunately it doesn't seem to be made any more.
- Messages
- 1,310
- Reaction score
- 1,605
- Points
- 1,298
Lovely, glad she enjoyed her porridge. She is so cute ❤
- Messages
- 57
- Reaction score
- 175
- Points
- 505
My Dad loves to get Luna some presents for Xmas, I saw this on a site, do you think this is good for them? I know it says Hamster Mail but I always like to check
www.sendhamstermail.com
Hamster Mail - Shop/Product
Hamster Mail is a monthly delivery of healthy toys & treats for your hamster friend!
www.sendhamstermail.com