Hamster blindness... from old age

After 10+ years of keeping hamsters, I realised that 2 of my hamsters had actually turn blind upon old age. Especially my hamster, Dou Gay, he had cataract as I can see his eyeballs had white spots covering the pupils.

As hamsters age, we, as owners, need to help the hamsters adjust the environment.

I had friends who ask me to put my hamsters to sleep but I am strong believer that hamster should live to their end of lifespan. It is very unnatural  to put them to sleep just because they are blind unless they have further injuries that are causing their pain.

Things to do to help your blind hamsters
1) Remove of obstacles

• Housing/Cage
• If your hamster is currently living in 2 storey (floor) cage, it is time to remove the 2nd storey and convert it to a single deck cage. This can prevent your hamster from falling off the 2nd storey. (one of my hamster did fall off from the 2nd storey before he paralyses and die shortly afterwards, hard lesson for me)

• Avoid new staff/toy and keep same cage layout
• I know owners alike love to give new toys to hamsters. However, if your hamster is blind, I strongly recommend that the cage layout to be simple, without obstacles, and most importantly hamster access friendly. You don't want to injury your hamster in anyway possible.

• Water bottle
• I strongly recommend that the water bottle to be lowered to  hamster's head level so he can feel and know where is the water bottle without much difficulties.

• Food supply
• Place the food dish in an open area without any obstacles so that you view your hamster without difficulties and know if it has any problem going into the food dish. If your hamster has problem even climbing into the food dish, do consider changing to a shallow food dish.

2) Sound over movement

• Create a common noise
• By creating a common noise habitually, your hamster will be able to relate that noise to you. However, avoid super loud noise as your hamster might be in shock than in comfort. I always use a squeaking whistle before placing my hand or food dish in the cage.

• Touching your hamster slowly and gently
• Yes, you still can pick up your blind hamster but make sure your hamster know that it is you. Avoid back grabbing as that is how predators in the wild hunt for hamsters. Let your hamster come to your hand before scoping it out from the cage. I prefer scoping method than tummy hold for my older hamsters as they will feel safer with a base that they can touch their feet on. 

Hope these tips helps. I had draft this article many month back but never get to type finish it until today. Cheers!

IMPORTANT : Introducing new hamster to the house...especially for New hamster owner

You have bought little hammie home from pet shelter/pet shop/pet breeder, it is time to let your hamster get familiar with its environment.

Before you go on with this blog post, there are 4 pointers to take note of :
1) Do you have pets other than hamsters in the house?
If you do, refer to my upcoming article on "Hamsters interacting with other Pets"

2) Do you have kids in your house? How old are they?
Will they be old enough to interact with your new hammie?
If you do, refer to my article on "Kids and Hamsters - Should I let my kids play with hamsters???"

3) Do you have other hamsters in your house? Are they of the same species?
Are they of the same gender?
If you do, refer to my article on "Surviving Hamsters Community"

4) Do you intend to breed hamsters?
If you do, refer to my upcoming article on "Hamsters & Birth"

As an experienced hamster owner since 2000, my best advise for any excited owners is :
CALM DOWN!!!

The little one is highly likely to be very afraid of its new surrounding area. So the following steps are to calm and welcome your new hammie to its new home.

Step 1 (Location of hamster cage)
Before deciding where to place your hamster cage upon reaching home, there are a few factors that you should consider : Lighting, heat and noise level of the house. Newly homed hamsters are very timid in nature and any sudden exposure to above factors will scare them, thus making them harder to be human friendly. Best advise to new hamster owners is to leave your hamster to explore and get familiarized its new cage in a quiet and dim lighted for first few days.

Step 2 (Approaching your hamster)
Before you approach your hamster, it will be in your hamster's best interest to call it out softly. Depending on circumstances, you may either call your hamster by its name or use a common sound that your hamster might recognize you and your hands with. AVOID banging or knocking your hamster cage at all time as such behavior will only make your hamster be more afraid of you!!!

Step 3 (Bonding with your hamster)
One common mistake that most new hamster owners do is to grab their hammie the moment they reach home. Won't you be terrified if you are walking on the streets and a stranger suddenly grabs you by your waist? Same theory applies to all newly homed hamsters as well.
The following approach that I recommends is a longer route to create bonding between you and your hamster. Althrough this approach might be time consuming, it allows your hamster to have complete trust in you in the near future.

Step 3.1 (1st week)
Before any interaction with your hamster, try putting your hands near your hamster wherever you can. Slowly over the course of a week, shorten the distance between your hand and your hamster. This will let your hamster knows that you are a friend.

Step 3.2 (2nd week)
Try feeding your hamster with treats with your fingers first by dangling it in the air, let your hamster approach you and accustom your fingers. Alternatively, you can fill your palms with some food and let it approach you. One advice to zest hamster owner: Never ever chase after your hamster to feed it!

Step 3.3 (3nd week)
Try gentle stroking your hamsters while it is eating or sleeping. If your hamster shows any signs of unease (i.e. running away, squeaking or baring teeth), just put your hand away and do it some other time.
One good advice to new hamster owner : Always approach your hamster head on and never from the back.
Only predators from the wild catch hamsters from the back.

Step 3.4 (4th week)
By now, if your hamster show no signs of resist, congratation to you! Your hamsters trust you and allows you to touch and play with it.

Have a nice hamster bonding time!