Hamsters are infamous for their relatively poor vision compared to other pets. They’re nearsighted and often see no more than 3 inches away from their nose. Hammies rely more on their sharp sense of smell to maneuver and navigate their way around due to their natural eye problems.
This article discusses the question “Do Hamsters Get Cataracts?” by revealing the causes and signs of the condition in the beloved pocket-sized rodents. We also discuss treatment options if any and how human owners can provide more comfort for their blind pets when the condition advances.
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Do Hamsters Get Cataracts?
Hamsters suffer cataracts caused by the degeneration of the eye lens resulting in the appearance of a milk-colored film on the lens. Deterioration of functional vision and eventual blindness become inevitable when cataracts appear in hamsters’ eyes.
A cataract is a common type of eye problem in humans and animals, especially in the elderly. As a first-timer hamster parent, it can be shocking to see how terrible your pet’s vision is even at night when it is more physically active.
But, eye problems become more pronounced as the hamster ages resulting in partial eyesight loss which morphs into total blindness.
What Are The Signs of Cataracts in Hamsters?
Cataracts are characterized by the sudden cloudiness of your beloved hammy’s cute little eyes. This happens when the hamster’s internal crystalline lens comprising of water and proteins accumulate together resulting in a cloudy film that becomes evident in the hamster’s pupils. The condition may affect one eye or both.
While hamsters rely more on their sense of smell and hearing due to their naturally terrible vision, the presence of cataracts puts a further dent in their ability to see. Color blindness is apparent from birth but cataracts and other conditions that cause functional vision problems may also worsen the situation.
What Are The Causes of Hamster Cataracts?
There are several underlying causes of cataracts in hamsters and the most popular ones are listed below.
1. Aging-related Cataracts In Hamsters

The leading cause of cataracts in captive hammies is the natural ageing process. Several health problems pop up seemingly from nowhere once a hamster reaches old age (over 2 years). This is the point where your hammy’s eye lens may start showing signs of degeneration resulting in partial or total loss of vision.
A sudden cloudy or milky film on the eye lens is usually the first clue that something is wrong with your hamster’s eyes. A quick visit to the vet can provide an official diagnosis of cataracts after extensive eye tests.
Unfortunately, eye cataracts have become synonymous with older hamsters and not much can be done to prevent them. Even the most well-cared for hammy can become susceptible to such age-related eye conditions.
2. Genetic Disorders

Your hamster may experience cataracts as a result of a genetic disorder that causes degeneration of the eyes. If one or both parents of a hamster carries the cataract gene, the probability of passing it down to their offspring could be high.
In some instances, hamsters compromised by the cataract gene may even show signs of eye problems before reaching age two. Reputable breeders try to minimize the spreading of the cataract gene by mating healthy hamsters.
Unfortunately, such attempts are not always successful because cataracts only become conspicuous as the hamster ages. Most commercial breeders stop breeding older hamsters anyway so those with cataract genes can accidentally be selected for breeding purposes.
3. Injury-Induced Cataracts
Physical Injuries to delicate areas of the hamsters’ eyes such as the lens can trigger disorders like cataracts, especially in aggressive hamster breeds. This is why we recommend never keeping more than one Syrian hamster in a cage or breeder tank.
Also, avoid mixing Dwarf hamsters with Syrians or other aggressive breeds to protect them from physical injuries. Syrian hamsters are known for picking fights with other Syrians and attacking weaker breeds like Dwarfs.
Injury-related cataracts often affect one eye while the other eye remains unscathed. Either way, hamster owners should always seek veterinary care for their pocket rodents after physical fights especially when signs of eye problems become apparent.
What To Do If Your Hamster is Showing Signs of Cataracts
If you’ve just noticed mild cloudiness or milky film on your hamster’s eye lens, there’s a good chance that cataracts are on the horizon. Most eye conditions develop gradually as part of the ageing process and cataracts are no different. Here are the steps to ensure maximum comfort for a cataract-stricken hamster.
Book a Vet Appointment
A vet appointment is the recommended first step when you suspect that your hamster may be suffering from cataracts. After extensive examinations, the veterinarian may diagnose cataracts to confirm your suspicions.
Apart from the hamster’s vision health, vets typically conduct additional examinations which may reveal existing conditions the captive rodent could be secretly battling. Once any disease or infection is detected, the right treatment can be prescribed.
Healthy Feeding For A Cataract-Stricken Hamster

Proper feeding is essential for hamsters of all ages and at all times. However, providing the right nutrients becomes even more critical when your favorite hamster is diagnosed with cataracts or another serious health condition.
Always provide feed formulated with healthy nutrients in their right proportions. Nutritious fruits and vegetables such as apples and broccoli may serve as supplemental feeding for your sick hamster.
If you’re unsure of what to feed a hamster suffering from cataracts, your veterinarian could point you in the right direction. Since the condition is usually age-related, elderly hamster nutritional plans are often the best route.
Keep the Cage or Tank Consistent
Consistency is critical for a cataract-stricken hamster. Since an affected hamster’s vision only gets worse with time, make sure to keep the layout of the cage or tank the same. Also, avoid waking up your sick hamster while he’s deeply asleep as this can startle him.
If you love picking up your hamster from his cage, rustling the bedding or whispering for a couple of seconds may be a great idea. This could ensure that he feels your presence and recognizes your voice before picking him up. Failure to do this can spook the little guy into a painful bite on your hand.
Can Cataracts Be Treated In Hamsters?

Your veterinarian will diagnose existing conditions and offer the best treatment for your beloved hamster. Unfortunately, there are no treatment options for cataracts despite the technological advancements in veterinary medicine.
Surgery is usually the only effective method for curing the condition in humans and common pets like cats and dogs after which medication like antibiotics is typically prescribed by the vet to minimize the risk of infections.
However, a hamster’s eyes are too small and delicate to be operated on. Once your pet rodent is diagnosed with cataracts, providing more comfort in his last moments should be the aim. While cataracts may not be directly painful, the resulting vision loss from the mild cloudiness could make hamsters more prone to trips and falls culminating in physical injuries.
Actively removing objects that can cause physical injury to older hamsters after an official diagnosis may be lifesaving.
How Do You Know Your Hamster is Blind?

Partial or total loss of vision is inevitable after a cataract diagnosis. But how do you know when that day arrives? Well, like other rodents, hamsters are born with terrible but functional vision meaning signs of blindness can be difficult to detect.
However, if your hamster is running into objects, tripping, falling off things toys, and showing additional signs of unusual clumsiness, this could be a clue that he is close to or completely blind. Vision loss may develop gradually but as long as you provide enough care, the hamster should be fine.
Can Cataracts Be Transmitted Via Physical Contact?
Cataracts are a genetic and age related-disease that can be passed down from generation to generation. Unlike conjunctivitis, cataracts are not transmittable via physical contact since they occur from the natural degeneration of the hamster’s eye lens leading to eyesight loss.
Other Common Types of Eye Problems In Hamsters
Cataracts may be a common type of eye problem in hamsters but there are many others including:
- Conjunctivitis
- Proptosis
- Corneal Ulcers
Conclusion
Hamsters become prone to cataracts as they age and unfortunately, not much can be done to prevent the condition. Hamster cataracts may also originate from genetic disorders and even physical injuries.
Regardless of the underlying reason, there’s no effective treatment for the condition since the hamster’s eye lens is too delicate for surgery, unlike cats and dogs. Total loss of eyesight kicks in eventually which explains why owners should focus on how best to make their blind hamsters more comfortable.
Conjunctivitis caused by an inflamed transparent eyelid membrane, proptosis, and corneal ulcers are other common eye problems. While some hamsters become irritable when they suffer blindness, many others are able to live happy lives.
We share the signs of hamster cataracts and ways to provide comfort for stricken hammies.