How Much Does a Hamster Weigh? Our Guide to Weighing Small Pets

Hamsters are perfect first-time pets due to their small size and sweet demeanour. However, just because they’re tiny doesn’t mean they don’t require check-ups! One way to help keep track of a hamster’s health is by weighing them on a vet scale. This blog will discuss why weighing small pets like hamsters is so important, vet scales ideal for animal weighing, and how to prepare your animal for weighing. So, how much does a hamster weigh? Let’s get into it.

Why is it Important to Weigh Small Pets?

The weight of an animal is an important indicator of their overall health. If the animal weighs more than the typical range for their species or breed, you may be overfeeding them, or they’re not getting enough exercise. If the animal weighs less than normal, it could be something easy to fix such as underfeeding or reducing stress. However, it could also be something more serious, such as an illness or parasite.

You may think that being able to tell that an animal has gained or lost weight visually is enough. However, keeping a precise numerical record gives you a quantifiable basis for comparison later. Telling the vet that your hamster has gotten skinny lately can be helpful for them to narrow down potential causes. 

Alternatively, if you’re able to tell them that your hamster has lost five grams of weight in one week, then they know how severe the issue is and it may give them a further clue as to what may be causing it. From the vet’s perspective, if the animal is under or overweight, you as a vet would be able to give your client quantifiable goals to get their pet healthy again, such as gaining one gram of weight per week until they’re back to normal.

Animal Scales Ideal for Weighing Small Pets

Let’s discuss which animal scales may be the best for weighing small pets like hamsters. First, how much does a hamster weigh? There are many different breeds of hamsters, some larger or smaller than others, so of course there’s no definite answer. Other factors include their sex, age, and even their genes. With this in mind, hamsters can weigh anywhere from 15 – 200 grams. If that’s the case, you would need a scale with a capacity of at least 200 grams, but preferably more so there’s some wiggle room.

A&D HL-WP Compact IP65 Washdown Scale

Capacity Range: 300g – 3kg

Readability Range: 0.1g – 1g

The HL-WP Compact Washdown Scale is a portable balance you can move from room to room when necessary. It’s also IP65 rated, which means it’s protected from solids and splashes of liquid. Anyone who owns a pet knows that sudden liquids and solids aren’t a surprise. Luckily, you can safely wipe down and sanitize the HL-WP before you weigh the next small pet.

Adam Dune DCT Portable Compact Balance

Capacity Range: 200g – 5kg

Readability Range: 0.1g – 2g

The Dune DCT Compact Balance is affordable and practical, perfect for basic measuring tasks like weighing small animals. With sturdy plastic construction, the DCT is easy to maintain, as well as stackable for convenient storage. You can power the DCT with batteries as well as AC Adapter, offering you options for portability as well as stability when necessary.

Adam Core CQT Compact Portable Balance

Capacity Range: 200g – 5kg

Readability Range: 0.01g – 1g

Adam’s Core CQT Compact Portable Balances are ready to work right out of the box, no prep necessary. With 120mm Ø and 145mm Ø round pan options, there’s plenty of room for a small critter to fit on for weighing. The removable draft shield on 120mm Ø models could be used to contain the animal if they’re feeling particularly fussy, with enough holes at the top to maintain air flow.

Latitude LBX 3 Compact Bench Scale

Capacity: 3kg

Readability: 0.5g

The LBX 3 model of the Latitude series is particularly known for its long battery life between charges (240 hours), and its helpful hold function. The hold function will help guarantee an accurate reading even if the small animal is walking around or moving. After the weight settles, it will hold instead of adjusting with the movement, allowing you to copy down the results with ease.

Weighing Your Hamster

Now, how do we get our furry friend ready to weigh? The biggest concern will be keeping them on the pan long enough to get a clear reading. If you’re using the Core CQT with the removable draft shield, this won’t be difficult. For other scales, a suggestion may be to tare off a cup or small box from the scale, so the animal stays contained.

Another option is to put some appropriate treats on the scale (tare them off, of course), and allow your pet to feast as they’re weighed to distract them. We recommend a small piece of seedless fruit, or even a small piece of veg like a carrot or cucumber.

If you’re using the Latitude LBX 3, you don’t necessarily need to contain your small pet or bribe them with treats, though it may make things easier. The hold function will help you gain an accurate weight quickly, even if they’re moving around, by pausing the display.

Whether you’re a pet owner weighing at home or a vet preparing to weigh some furry clients, the Inscale team can help you choose the best animal scale for your needs – give us a call!