Are you a first-time hamster parent? If yes, one of the main sources of curiosity is likely to be the constantly changing color of your little buddy’s urine.
A hamster’s urine color can be different from other pets and the situation may get even more confusing when the color keeps changing from one moment to the other.
This article looks into the urine color chart of hamsters and provides an explanation for each to prevent hamster parents from panicking when they need not be. We also reveal signs of infections such as UTIs and their effects on the little guy’s urine color.
Treatments for certain conditions that become evident when hamsters’ urine color changes are looked into are also discussed.
Table of Contents
What Does Normal Hamster Pee Look Like?
Normal hamster pee appears thick and milky white-colored. However, variables such as the hamster’s diet or illness can change the color to brown, cloudy yellow, orange, and transparent white. Always take your hamster to a vet if you suspect that he’s suffering from an infection or disease that may be influencing the urine color.
When Hamster Pee is Cloudy White
Normal hamster pee is cloudy white in color and typically feels thicker due to the presence of calcium in the diet. However, the color may change depending on what type of food is being consumed. For instance, pee may look different when calcium-deficient diets are offered consistently.
Diets with excessive calcium components can also cause changes in the little guy’s urine color. Always be on the lookout for signs of abnormalities in their urine appearance for speedy treatments of potential diseases and infections.
However, not all urine color changes are caused by health problems. If you’ve recently changed the hamster’s diet, it could be the underlying reason behind the abnormal urine color.
Everything should go back to normal within a few days once you return to the previous diet and this can be a confirmation that the hamster’s urine color changes were not triggered by an infection or disease.
While abnormal urine appearances may indicate diseases or infections, avoid freaking out over those changes until an official diagnosis from a vet.
Why is My Hamster’s Pee Bright Yellow?

Bright yellow is a normal pee color in hamsters and shouldn’t spook any fears as long as you’re sure the little guy is eating and drinking well. This color is quite common in hamsters of all ages so relax unless you have another reason to fear the worst.
Why is My Hamster’s Pee Cloudy Yellow?
Cloudy yellow urine is often a sign of excessive calcium in the hamster’s diet. While they require adequate amounts of the vital mineral for strong bones and teeth, abnormally high quantities can trigger calciuria, a condition where calcium deposits are found in the urine.
In most cases, Calciuria is successfully treated by vets so make an appointment as soon as possible. Also, switch to diets with the right amounts of calcium after treatment to prevent recurrences of the condition.
Why is My Hamster’s Pee Brown?
Kidney disease is a leading cause of brown urine in hamsters. A quick visit to the vet should secure an official diagnosis but in the meantime pay attention to what your hamster is feeding on.
The condition is more common in elderly female hamsters and may be caused by excessive calcium, immune system deficiencies, or viral infections.
Why is My Hamster’s Pee Orange?
Orange urine is usually stimulated by dehydration in hamsters. This could be due to a lack of adequate water supplies or even defective water bottles. Pigmentation in the little guy’s bladder can also be a leading cause of orange-colored urine.
Why is My Hamster’s Urine Pinkish?
Bladder infections can result in bleeding which may lead to Pinkish-red urine in hamsters. The distinct color is often triggered by traces of blood in the pet rodent’s bladder.
Have you offered large amounts of reddish fruits such as dried cranberries, strawberries, or watermelons? That could explain the hamster’s pinkish-red urine color.
Why is My Hamster’s Pee Transparent?
Transparent urine may be normal in humans and other animals but the same cannot be said for hamsters. The transparent color is often a sign that your furball may be drinking excessive amounts of water which can be due to diabetes, kidney disease, or liver problems.
Any of those conditions may engender polydipsia which forces hamsters to stay consistently hydrated. Ultimately, getting the little guy checked out by a vet can confirm or rule out these infections so you can be sure the hamster is in a good shape.
Why is My Hamster’s Urine Reddish?
Reddish-colored urine can trigger a lot of fear in hamster parents because of the resemblance to blood. While that may be true in some instances, certain foods in the hamster’s diet can also change the urine color to red.
Beetroot, carrots, and red cabbage are good examples that may encourage red-like pee in hamsters. Bladder pigmentation and extreme cold during winter are additional stimulants of red pee in many pocket rodents. In some cases, red pee can also be a sign of urinary tract infections.
Home-Made Treatments for Milky Colored Urine in Hamsters
Whether your hamster’s urine is milky, reddish, brown, or orange, there are numerous homemade solutions available to get it back to normal. Sure, you can always pay a visit to the vet but the following steps have proven effective when tried at home.
Well-Balanced Diets For Hamsters
The right dietary changes often do the trick when your hamster’s urine color is abnormal. Providing well-balanced diets in the form of premium hamster pellets in conjunction with a bit of fruit, vegetables, and occasional treats may be all that is required.
Always read the nutritional chart on hamster pellets to confirm whether it contains the right amounts of calcium, fiber, carbs, and other nutrients before purchase. Milky white urine is often proof of excessive amounts of calcium in the little guy’s diet so hamster mixes and pellets choices should be made accordingly.
Reduce Calcium-rich Fruits and Vegetables
While fruits and vegetables are generally healthy, a few may contain excessive amounts of calcium and overfeeding can result in milky white urine. Fruits noted for substantial calcium components include:
- Blackberries
- Guavas
- Kiwifruit
- Oranges
- Pak Choi
- Swiss Chard
- Mustard Greens
- Mulberries
- Tangerines
- Turnip Greens
More Exercise
Regular workouts may keep hamsters calcium at healthy levels. Not only does being physically active aid in the little guy’s overall health and well-being but it can also reduce the amounts of calcium in the body. Regular physical activity typically strengthens internal organs such as kidneys and livers to minimize the risk of organ breakdowns even when calcium levels become excessive.
Adequate Hydration

Hamsters need to stay hydrated to produce normal urine quantities and color. Steps such as a constant supply of clean water and making sure their water bottles are always functional often lead to positive results.
Dehydration can have a negative effect on the little guy’s urine including urinal troubles and even painful urination from Urinary Tract Infections.
Signs of UTI Infections in Hamsters
Urinary Tract Infections are a leading cause of abnormal urine appearances in hamsters. Evidence of the condition may include reddish urine and unfortunately, all breeds of hamsters can be susceptible to the condition.
If your pet rodent is showing any of the symptoms below, there’s a high probability of a Urinary Tract Infection.
- Cloudy-colored, thick urine
- Traces of blood in the urine
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary trouble
- Squeaks
What are The Causes of UTIs in Hamsters?
Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs) are a common bacterial condition in hamsters of all ages and breeds. The following causes can make your little pet rodents susceptible to those infections.
Anxiety and Stress
UTIs can pop up through a wave of changes in the pet rodent’s environment that may cause anxiety and stress. Have you recently brought hamsters home from a pet store or moved them to a new cage due to their growing floor space requirements?
Don’t be surprised when the little guys suffer significant stress from the well-meaning changes and become more susceptible to urinary tract infections.
Bad Hygiene in The Hamster’s Environment
Cages with terrible sanitation practices can be breeding grounds for many diseases and infections. Hamsters raised in such cages are often exposed to harmful microorganisms resulting in a high probability of suffering UTIs and other infections.
Excessive Calcium Intake

While calcium offers superb benefits for hamsters, excessive amounts can be a source of trouble. Cutting out diets with extremely high calcium content can minimize the risks of the little guy suffering the condition.
Always stick to diets that offer the right proportions of essential nutrients and the hamster should be fine.
Low-Fiber Diets
Fiber-rich diets can provide the right balance for hamsters to enjoy healthy nutrition. We recommend looking out for hamster mixes that offer the right nutrient amounts to ensure better all-round health for these cute furballs.
Obesity
Obesity is a leading cause of Urinary Tract Infections in hamsters. Gaining excessive weight can make the little guy’s body susceptible to a wide range of health problems including UTIs.
Managing your hamster’s food portions and encouraging loads of physical activity by providing the right toys should limit their exposure to the condition. This can minimize the risks of heart attacks and dying with the eyes open.
Urination Difficulties
Bladder blockages may prevent hamsters from urinating freely and can be harmful in many ways including exposure to diseases. Urine slowly builds up in the bladder when unable to flow freely and this typically increases the probability of urinary tract infections.
What is the Best UTI Treatment for Hamsters?
UTIs rarely go away on their own unless treated properly. Antibiotics are often prescribed for the condition once the diagnosis is confirmed. Like most antibiotics, make sure the full dose is given to the pet rodents to guarantee maximum results.
The antibiotics should clear up the bacteria from the hamster’s urinary tract in order for symptoms such as reddish-colored urine to diminish. Avoid feeding dairy products to hamsters during the antibiotics treatment period because they may interfere with the drug’s ability to work.
Why is Blood in My Hamster’s Pee?

If your hamster is passing bloody or Pinkish urine, it is time to pay attention because the symptom can be a genuine sign that something’s wrong. Unfortunately, bloody urine is associated with severe medical conditions that may be life-threatening when treatment is delayed.
A few explanations for Pinkish or bloody urine in pet rodents include:
- Blood Clots
- Bottom Bleeding
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Open Pyometra
- Excessive Calcium Diets
- Kidney Stones
- Bladder Infections
- Genital Area Injuries
- Reproductive Problems
Vets typically conduct various diagnostic tests to confirm what existing conditions may be causing traces of blood to leak into the hamster’s urine. An antibiotic regimen is often prescribed to remedy the situation.
In some cases such as Pyometra, surgery may be the only viable course of action for treatment. It is always advisable to seek to replenish the hamster’s lost blood when signs of bloody urine become evident.
A teaspoon of green leafy vegetables such as kale, spinach, or collards can be offered to the little guy on different days of the week. This should be combined with premium hamster pellets and fruits to provide a well-balanced diet.
What Does Hamster Pee Smell Like?
Hamster pee has a strong smell that stinks especially when the pet rodent suffers from urinary tract infections or other conditions that may cause bloody urine. The higher the level of concentration, the stronger the smell.
Hamsters that hold urine in their bladders for long periods often excrete worse-smelling pee compared to those that urinate frequently. If your furry friend feeds on diets with excessive proteins or calcium such as salmon or cheese, expect the pee to be abnormally strong scented.
Most hamster parents use the stench of the urine to detect signs of illness or infections in their furry babies.
Is Hamster Pee Poisonous?
Hamster pee may carry potentially harmful organisms that cause infections such as Lymphocytic Choriomeningitis Virus (LCM) and Salmonella. Contact with an affected hamster’s urine may cause transmission of the disease to humans.
If your hamster is showing signs of illness, we recommend sending him to a vet as soon as possible. In the meantime, avoiding physical contact with his urine and feces can be a good idea to protect yourself against possible hamster-to-human disease transmissions.
Can Hamster Urine Make You Sick?
Yes, hamster urine can make you sick when the little guy is infected with bacteria, viruses, and other disease-causing organisms that may result in human illnesses as stated above. Leptospirosis, Tularemia, and hantavirus are additional infections that can be transmitted via contact with infected urine.
Conclusion: What Does Normal Hamster Pee Look Like?
The normal color of hamsters’ urine is thick and milky white but may change to alternatives depending on their diet and state of health. For instance, a diet high in reddish fruits including cranberries and strawberries can result in Pinkish-colored urine even in pocket rodents.
However, illnesses such as Pyometra or UTIs may cause changes in the hamster’s urine color. This is often triggered when the little guy experiences bleeding in the urethra or other areas of the urinary system. The result is traces of blood that may lead to Reddish or Pink-colored urine.