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The best thing you can do for your hamsters health is to pay close attention to him on a daily basis. Know what he looks like, acts like, and his normal grooming habits. Pay attention to his daily behaviors so you will be able to quickly tell when something is awry. Anything out of the ordinary should be noted and payed close attention to.

A common health concern for hamster owners to be aware of, are bladder stones. There are some tell tale signs to watch for if you think your hamster has bladder stones, beginning with your hamsters general demeanor. If your hamster is acting like he doesn't feel good, he is moving slow and seems weak or in a general state of malaise this is usually a sign of distress. Other signs of bladder stones include leaking urine which will sometimes contain a small amount of blood, and pain during urination.

Hamsters with an illness of any kind can go from bad to worse very quickly so it is best to maintain a proactive approach to their care. Many illnesses can claim a hamsters life within 48 hours if not treated right away. Bladder stones are the only stones in a hamsters urinary tract that can be detected and sometimes removed by a veterinarian, and can usually be treated with an antibiotic therapy. Most stones are associated with urinary tract infections, and can return unless treated with antibiotics.

Unlike humans, hamsters do not often respond to a dietary change to dissolve bladder stones. However, you can try getting some dandelion leaves and feeding them to your hamster to increase his urine production, but this is a homepathic remedy and not proven to be effective. I personally believe that dandelions have many healing attributes and appropriate uses, and if you can not afford a vet visit then I would suggest it is at least worth a try. Also, although many believe diet does not play a role in preventing recurrence, I believe a consistent well balanced diet which includes nuts, vegetables, dried fruits and fresh water will help keep your hamster healthy and happy most of the time.

Do not feed your hamster iceberg lettuce though, stick to leafy green lettuce and always wash any vegetables thoroughly before feeding them to your hamster. It is important that your hamster consume enough food and water during the treatment of the stones. One way to encourage him to drink and eat better is to add a little bit of table salt to his food and water, and perhaps a few drops of real fruit juice to his water as well. Plenty of fresh clean water should be made available to your hamster at all times, but be extra diligent about this during times of obvious illness. Good Luck with your little guy and remember that gentle care and attention to detail are often all thats necessary to keep your hamster happy and healthy for a long time to come!

Learn more about this author, Chris Dixon.
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