Chubby hamster

[BlondeBatgirl]

I think my hamster may be a bit chubby!
Hes not overfed, but he doesnt seem to go on his wheel very often anymore. He doesnt like the ball.
It was only bought to my attention the other day when my mum said he was getting big!
Can hamsters get fat?? What can you do??

Seriously?
Cut down on the number of sunflower seeds he's eating, they are very calorific. If he doesn't like being in a ball then play with him in other ways. I used to make my rats an assault course they loved.
As if the vets have a drop in session for general check ups, mine does.
Does he feel fatter to you?

Some hamsters can get huge especially the females, as well as cutting down on sunflower seeds do the same with peanuts for the same reasonand make sure you don't fill up the bowl every day as hammy would have stored it away and will just keep eating the fatty bits,, many of my syrians never used their wheel so don't worry about that too much.

Maybe a bit. But I dont think hes a whopper!
It did make me realise that he hasnt been going in his wheel as much as he used to. He seem well otherwise.
Might cut down sunflower seeds, he does eat a fair few!

I feel abit silly for being worried about a flippin hamster!

He is female! That could be it too!
(Got called a he when we bought him/her and it stuck!)

Is he new/young and still growing? After approx 2-3 months two of the Syrians we had didn't 'fit' their original wheel and we had to get a larger one

Or is he older and 'pear shaped'?

Don't feel silly for being a responsible owner, s/he may only be a furry little rodent but she's entitled to a decent life.

Hes about 15mths. He fits his wheel.
Is that getting on abit for a hamster? I know they usually live til about 2.

Thanks riverside :)