If you think your pet is ailing, take a look at our Hamster Illnesses page to see if the symptoms fit any of the ailments described. Many problems are treatable at home, such as flea or mite infestation, but there are also lots of hamster illnesses that need the attentions of a vet.
You should consult a vet whenever the problem is one you either can't solve at home or can't diagnose with confidence. Your hamster relies on you to keep it healthy, safe, and free from pain, so the occasional vet bill is all part of the deal when keeping a pet.
If none of the conditions you read about seem to match your hamster's symptoms, or if there are some obviously serious issues such as bleeding or difficulty breathing, it’s not going to be a problem you can fix yourself. Take the pet to a vet.
Donovan, 14 October 2021
My hamster is 9 months old and the breed is supposed to die around 3 years. Its not moving very much, doesn't want to eat or drink, its stomach kinda looks sucked in? I'm not sure whats wrong... Any ideas?