Water is a critical part of a hamster’s diet. As so, it should be available at all times. Without an adequate supply of water, your hamster will run into the risk of dehydration. The question is, How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Water?
As a responsible hamster owner, an important question you need to ask yourself is, how often should I change my hamster’s water? You should change the water daily to ensure that your hamster’s water bottle doesn’t form algae. Also, wash your hamster’s water bottle twice in three days.
In this article, you will learn what kind of water your hamster needs, how to give your hamster water, and how often to change your hamster’s water. Let’s get down.
How Much Water Does a Hamster Need?
A hamster usually needs around 10 ml/100 gr of water every day. So that’s 0.33 fl oz per 3.5 ounces of water. It is the same whether we are talking about Syrian hamsters or the dwarf types.
However, the kind of food you give your hamster can decide how much water he will need. If he eats fruits and vegetables with high water content, then the less water he will need, because he will draw much water from them.
Again, how often your hamster exercises can also determine how often and how much he needs water. Active hamsters need water more often than sedentary ones.
How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Water?
How do you feel having to drink some water from a container for a whole week, without changing the water? Perhaps a week is way too long before you feel disgusted and opt for fresh, clean water.
It’s amazing how animal nutritional needs are the same as ours. Just as we need fresh water every day to stay healthy, so do hamsters.
It is, therefore, essential that you change your hamster’s water every day. Make quality water his daily provision.
You wouldn’t like to toy with your hamster’s health, would you? I don’t think so.
If your hamster is very active, chances are he will be drinking his water very fast. The implication for you is that you will be providing more water for him or changing his water more often.
And you must ensure to keep the water as fresh and clean as possible, to avoid any problems for your hamster.
Watch this video: How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Water?
What Kind of Water Should Hamsters Drink?
Tap water is the best for hamsters. However, contaminated or polluted tap water must be avoided. When choosing water for your hamsters, room temperature is critical as well. You have to see that any water you want to give your hamster is not too warm or too cold.
It is recommended that hamsters be given bottled or distilled water. Distilled water is obtained from the vapor of water boiled to remove impurities.
How To Give Your Hamster Water
Water can be given to hamsters in a bowl or a bottle.
Your highest goal is to provide your hamster with fresh and clean water. In that case, serving your hamster with a water bottle or tube appears the best.
If you provide your hamster with water in a bowl or dish, he will likely knock it often over or kick dirt into it. And that will lead to the water getting contaminated.
Furthermore, water bottles that have ball-bearings in the tube are the kind that will give you exactly what you need to make your hamster have a good drink.
However, if a bowl is what you want to provide water for your hamster, then you should choose the kind that will give you the best result.
You know that hamsters can easily chew plastic bowls, right? So, ceramic or metal bowls are the choice.
The dish bowl should also be at least one-and-half inch tall and filled about halfway with water to make it easier for your hamster to reach the water easily.
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Conclusion
You might have heard of other hamster owners who change their hamster’s water every day and others who wait until the bottle is almost empty.
The second option may not be the best for your hamster. The longer the water stays in the bottle, the more its chances of growing algae.
In the end, Hamsters require constant access to water, although, may not necessarily drink a lot. Be it as it may, if you have observed your hamster not consuming any water within 1-2 days, you should consult a vet.
