Small Animal and Fish World
Hoppping
Houdini's
Health Checks
The Health Check
General Health
Body Size
The hamster should not be overweight or underweight. Being too large is just as damaging to a hamsters health as being too thin. You should not be able to see the rib cage or spine. When holding the hamster you will be able to feel the bones but they should not be sharp, you will be able to feel a layer of flesh between the fur and skeleton.
Bald Spots
The hamster should not be missing any hair or have any bald patches. The exception being Syrian hamsters who will have a small bald patch on each hip around a dark patch of skin, these are their scent glads and perfectly normal.
Dry/Flaky Skin
The hamster should not have any dry, flaky or red patches of skin. Watch out for excessive itching.
Genital Health
The hamsters bottom should be clean and free of discharge, blood and wet faeces. The testicles of male hamsters will protrude when they are warm, in Chinese hamsters the testicles are almost always noticeable this is normal and they look like large hairless lumps under the tail of the hamster.
Eyes
Eyes should be clear and bright with no discharge. They should not be sealed shut. The eye should not look "milky" or have a white or hazy circle. Hamsters can have red eyes which is normal.
Ears
The ears will be clean and clear of discharge or blood. They should not look red or flaky.
Hearing
You can make a clicking sound with your fingers or a squeaking sound with your mouth to check hearing, the ears should twitch a little when you make an unusual sound.
Dental Health
If you are able to check the teeth there should be four visible at the front of the mouth, two at the top and two at the bottom. They will be long and yellow or orange. Teeth should not be white, broken or missing.
Respiratory Health
Breathing should be quiet and steady. It should not be deep or fast unless the hamster has recently been very active. The hamster should not be squeaking, wheezing or clicking.
The Hamster Should Be...
Confident, it should not be terrified by the other hamsters or by the presence of people.
Curious, hamsters that are curious about what you are and show less fear are often easier to tame.
Calm, the hamster should not be aggressive towards you.
The Hamster Should Not...
Be lethargic (sleepy) when fully awake.
Be limping
Be holding it's head on one side (head tilt)
Be displaying repetitive behaviour such as spinning in circles or backflipping.