Russian Dwarf Hamster Will not drink

[carla87]

I just bought a male russian dwarf hamster on Saturday called Ivan. He is so lovely, I was really unsure when getting one as I heard they bite quite a lot, but he hasn't bit me once yet and I love him. My big problem is that he isn't drinking I have a normal hamster bottle in his cage and he hasn't touched it. I have still been changing it everyday and even tried bringing the bottle close to him, but he is not interested. How much are they supposed to drink, should i get him a bowl instead or is this more dangerous. Help I am worried he will get ill!

[shomer42]

What ever you do, dont let him at the vodka. Those Russians don't know when to quit.

Put a small amount of liquid in a bowl and see what happens, also make sure the hamster bottle is working!

[burnhal]

If the hamster has water available it will drink it when it needs it! Probably during the night (they are nocturnal) when you are not around to witness it. Hamsters need to drink every day so as long as its looking healthy I wouldnt worry

[jen78]

Maybe he hasn't got the hang of the bottle, did they have one in the petshop or wherever you got him from?

It took mine a little while to get the hang of it, try getting it near the bottle where it usually is with a tempting treat or wiggle the bottle so it is attracted over to it then you can squeeze a drop of water out so he realises what it does.

You could give him some green cabbage, carrot or other hamster friendly greens on a little tray (non-tippable) with some water in in.