Hamsters are adorable little creatures who keep you entertained because of their playful nature and cute gestures. They have friendly personalities, and that\u2019s why they become attached to their owners and show a lot of affection towards them. So, if you are thinking of petting one of these, then one question might cross your mind, how much does a hamster weigh? How big can they get?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In general, the weight of hamsters varies between 0.5 ounces to 10.5 ounces. But, mostly, their weight does not exceed 7 to 8 ounces. However, the hamster\u2019s weight depends on factors like their breed, age, and even the environment they are raised in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
One thing about hamsters is certain that their size remains small throughout their life. This is the reason why they are called pocket pets. But, even though they are small, you can come across a variety of different sizes of hamsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Keep reading this article to get a detailed understanding of the weights of some of the most common breeds of hamsters. In addition to this, we\u2019ll also share with you the right way to weigh a hamster, along with some vital tips to balance your hamster\u2019s weight for keeping it fit and healthy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Contents<\/p>
Now, we already know that, on average, how much does a hamster weigh? It weighs between 0.5 to 10.5 ounces. But the weight of a hamster largely depends on its breed. It is also essential to know how much your hamster should weigh (depending on its breed) to know whether your pet is overweight or skinny. It is because both of these cases are not good for your ham as they can pose some health issues. So, let\u2019s discuss the weights of some popular hamster breeds.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Starting with the smallest of all hamsters, the Roborovski hamster. This smallest breed of hamster has a weight that ranges between 0.75 ounces to 1.5 ounces for the adult ones. However, a 1.5-ounce hamster can be considered overweight in this breed. As they are the smallest, they tend to be the fastest of all other species of hamsters. When it comes to activeness, Roborovski hamsters are more energetic than the bigger ones. Their active nature results in high metabolism, which keeps Roborovski\u2019s weight limited.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Chinese hamsters look a bit different from usual hamsters. In general, most hamsters are chubby and fluffy. But, Chinese hamsters have a thin and long body shape. Their tails are also a bit longer than usual hamster species which adds to some of their weight. Their weight ranges between 1.5 to 1.75 ounces for adults, and their size can be as big as 5 inches in length. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Campbell\u2019s Dwarf Hamsters and Winter White Dwarf Hamsters are the most common species of dwarf hamsters that people pet. These are cute-looking chubby hamsters that can weigh around 1 ounce as an adult. Winter White Dwarf Hamsters\u2019 weight can even go up to 2 ounces in winters. It is because they are creatures who come from cold temperature areas and are accustomed to eating more during the winter season to keep themselves warm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Syrian Hamsters are the most popular pet hamsters, and they are the largest of them all. A typical adult Syrian hamster can weigh about 4.5 ounces. However, their weight can increase depending on their size. They can reach up to 6-7 inches in length, and each inch can weigh around 1 ounce. This means these hamsters can weigh up to 7 ounces. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Weights of some other breeds of hamsters are as follows:<\/p>\n\n\n\n As hamsters are small in size, it is a bit difficult to weigh them. Ordinary weight machines that we use to measure our weights won\u2019t work for hamsters. It is because these weight machines measure weight in pounds, and hamsters weigh less than a pound. For weighing your hamster accurately, you will want a scale that weighs in ounces or grams. In such a case, a kitchen scale can help. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another issue you may face is that your hamster can try to run away when you place it on the weighing machine. To solve this issue, you can put your hamster in its carrier and then weigh it. Firstly, put the empty carrier on the scale and note its weight. Then, put the hamster in it and put the carrier again on the scale. After that, subtract the weight of the empty carrier from when the hamster is inside. You will be able to determine the correct weight of your hamster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Every hamster owner likes their pet to be chubby because that\u2019s what makes hamsters so cute and adorable. But, you need to make sure that your hamster\u2019s chubbiness should not result in being overweight. Being overweight can lead to some health issues in hamsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To check whether your hamster is overweight or normal, you should know your pet\u2019s age and breed. Then, research how much your hamster\u2019s breed should weigh at its age. After that, you can use the average weight table and weight measuring tips discussed above to measure your hamster\u2019s weight and compare it with the average weight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There can be a lot of reasons for your hamster being overweight. The most common ones are lack of proper exercise and high nutrition diet. So, a hamster owner needs to ensure that his pet exercises a lot, and he should serve an adequate diet rich in all the necessary nutrients to the hamster. To get your hamster to lose some weight, here are some of the measures you can take.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can find a variety of hamster food, but not all of them are good for your pet. Some hamster food available in the market has a balanced nutrition composition to fulfill all your hamster\u2019s nutrition requirements. Also, avoid giving too much junk food to hamsters. Seeds, treats, or food high in sugar are considered junk for hamsters. Occasionally serving them a small amount of these food is fine. But, if you are feeding them such food on a regular basis, then this must be the major reason behind your pet getting overweight.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For hamsters to remain fit, they need food like grass or carrots. A small quantity of lettuce can also be fed to them, but too much of it can cause diarrhea. Serving a few dog treats is also a good choice as they are rich in protein that can benefit hamsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As hamsters are small and energetic animals, they tend to eat a lot to keep their energy levels up. Doing so, they sometimes overeat, which can make them overweight. In general, just a teaspoon of hamster food every day is sufficient for your pet, along with some fresh food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Lack of exercise not only makes your hamster overweight but can also make it depressed. To keep your hamster fit and healthy, get an exercise wheel for it and ensure that your pet exercise on it regularly. Additionally, make it a habit to take your hamster out of the cage and put it in an exercise ball for atleast 20 minutes so that it can run around.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hamster may be small, but they require a big place to play around. As you know, hamsters are active creatures who run around to burn off their calories. So, it would be wise to get a bigger cage for your pet and install some tubes and a hamster playground in it. This will give your hamster a fun place to play and do some exercise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Obesity can lead to various health issues, but it does not directly result in the death of your hamster. Just like obesity can be the cause of various illnesses in humans, the same goes for hamsters. Obesity in hamsters can lead to problems such as diabetes and heart issues that can further become the cause of your pet\u2019s death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that we know how to deal with overweight hamsters let\u2019s talk about skinny hamsters. Weight loss in hamsters can be the result of several complications. It can be due to some illness, lack of proper appetite, not drinking enough, too much exercise, or any other physical issues. So, let us discuss some of the prominent reasons behind your hamster getting skinny and find solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Abscesses is a kind of infection that is caused in the cheek area of the hamster. When hamsters eat some hard or sharp food, sometimes it gets cut inside the cheeks. The cut can get infected and lead to abscess. Due to this, it becomes painful for the hamster to eat anything resulting in a reduction in appetite and weight loss. If such a thing happens, consult a vet as abscesses can be treated by giving proper antibiotics to the pet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Dental Issues<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just like abscesses, pain due to dental issues makes the hamster eat less. Hamsters belong to the family of rodents; they require things to gnaw for grinding their teeth, so they do not overgrow. Dog treats can serve as an excellent hard food to grind down their teeth, and it is full of proteins too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, broken or missing teeth can inflict pain which can become another reason for losing appetite in hamsters. In general, as hamsters grow old, they start losing teeth, but sometimes broken teeth can become infected and lead to loss of weight in hamsters. To deal with this issue, you should seek a veterinarian ASAP.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Vitamin deficiency can be one of the major causes of weight loss. Vitamin A and B, along with folic acid, are some of the essential nutrients that hamsters require. A deficiency of these can cause fatigue, weakness, and hair loss. To deal with this issue, give your pet a nutrient-rich diet and always serve high-quality food, including some vitamin-rich fresh vegetables like broccoli, carrot, and spinach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Weight loss in hamsters as they grow old is a gradual process that happens over time. With aging, hamster\u2019s metabolism process slows down, which causes a reduction in their frequency of eating. If they continue to exercise as they have always done, they will lose weight even faster. It is because they will not be eating enough to maintain their weight. If their frequency of eating doesn\u2019t change, you may notice that they are consuming less each time they eat. This can be another one of the reasons for weight loss in hamsters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A hamster is a small animal that does not eat in large quantities. Feeding your pet once or twice a day will be fine. If you feed it once a day, then serve a tablespoon of food in its bowl in the morning. If you feed it twice, then serve half a teaspoon in the morning and a half at night. This much will be enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, how much does a hamster weigh? Hamsters\u2019 weight varies depending on their age, species, the environment they live in, and even their gender. In general, a hamster\u2019s weight ranges between 0.5 ounces to 10.5 ounces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Syrian hamsters weigh the most, and Roborovski hamsters are the lightest ones. For a hamster to be happy and healthy, an ideal weight is necessary. Overweight or too skinny hamsters can suffer from various health issues, which can reduce their life expectancy. Hence, it is vital that you always feed high-quality nutrition-rich food to the hamster, make it do plenty of exercises, and give it a lot of things to play with and gnaw. All of these things will help in maintaining your ham\u2019s weight and also keep it healthy. Furthermore, consult the vet if you have concerns relating to your pet\u2019s weight or health. Breed<\/td> Weight<\/td><\/tr> Armenian Hamster<\/td> 1-2 oz<\/td><\/tr> Chinese Striped Hamster<\/td> 0.7-1.2 oz<\/td><\/tr> Ciscaucasian Hamster<\/td> 2-3.7 oz<\/td><\/tr> European Hamster<\/td> 7.8-16 oz<\/td><\/tr> Eversmann\u2019s Hamster<\/td> 2.3-2.6 oz<\/td><\/tr> Ladak Hamster<\/td> 1.2-1.6 oz<\/td><\/tr> Lesser Long-Tailed Hamster<\/td> 1.2-1.7 oz<\/td><\/tr> Mongolian Hamster<\/td> 2.3-2.6 oz<\/td><\/tr> Gansu Hamster<\/td> 2.3-2.6 oz<\/td><\/tr> Greater Long-Tailed Hamster<\/td> 1.4-2 oz<\/td><\/tr> Romanian Hamster<\/td> 2.8-4 oz<\/td><\/tr> Tibetan Hamster<\/td> 1.2-1.6 oz<\/td><\/tr> Turkish Hamster<\/td> 5-6 oz<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n How Can You Weight Your Hamster?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How To Check Whether Your Hamster Is Overweight?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
How Can You Make Your Hamster From Fat To Fit?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Feed Quality Hamster Food<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Limit Your Hamster\u2019s Daily Consumption<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Make Sure That Your Hamster Exercise Well<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Can Obesity Become A Reason For Death in Hamsters?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
What To Do If The Hamster Gets Too Skinny?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Abscesses<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vitamin Deficiency<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Age Factor<\/span><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
How Often Should I Feed My Hamster?<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Final Words<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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