If you’re still unsure, a vet will be able to tell you. If you're struggling to express your feelings, try writing them down in a journal. Using the thumb and index finger of one hand, gently pinch some skin at the base of your hamster’s neck to create a ‘tent’ of skin. Hold the hamster close to your stomach or chest, for at least 30 minutes. Life, what is life? It is quite possible you've never seen your hamster get cold because many small rodents hibernate. A dying hamster is one that becomes still in its daily affairs, it hardly plays anymore and it will sleep a lot often finding unusual places in the cage to try to hide itself whilst it is preparing to die. See if there any changes in their behavior or if they are acting alert. Changes to your hamster’s skin can be indicative of health problems. To deal with your hamster dying, make sure to talk about your feelings with your family and friends, who can help you get through the grieving process. Sadly this is the time when we have to say good bye to our beloved little friends. In particular, look for signs of infection, like redness, swelling, and abscesses. Be it one year or a hundred, that instance of time will finally come to a close. Answer (1 of 11): You can tell if your gerbil is dying because he/she will start shaking when you put him/her down...He/She will also stop eating and drinking and will go really cold and will be very weak! If you put the cage into a warm area your hamster will wake up. Even when a hamster is well-cared-for, these animals usually only live between two and three years. Stimulating it by petting and rubbing it gently between the hands seemed to help the hamster stay more alert and relaxed. Know that a hamster's life is quite short and therefore the time you had with your hamster is special and something to cherish. You should try to be as descriptive as possible with the symptoms of your hamster. Keep your hamster away from other hamsters if you suspect that it is sick or dying, in case it is contagious. What Are the Signs That Hamsters Are Dying? A sick hamster might be completely out of it and not have any reaction when you open the cage. Although there are some diseases such as wet tail that can be fatal to … How long has this been a concern? Hibernation is a state characterized by drowsiness, a steep drop in body temperature, metabolic rate and, in addition, the intensity of vital signs decreases. If your hamster isn’t surrounded by an enriched environment, it will show signs of destructiveness, aggression and nervousness. Signs of Hamster dying? November 15, 2020. Generate Link . If you recognise any of them, take your hamster to a vet. marie When your hamster is trying to drink, it will be using its lower jaw to push the ball back and then drinks the water. Look at the hamster’s skin., Look at the hamster’s fur., Look at the hamster’s face, mouth and eyes. she doesnt go on her wheel as much anymore. When my hamster went into shock I thought he was going to die too, but he bounced back within a few days. You could also look at pictures of you with your pet to help you remember the good times. When you are handling your hamster, does its bottom feel wet? Another way is to use a hot water bottle. Bar rub can be caused by a number of factors . Forum Member 15/08/08 - 19:43 #11. Lack of hamster cage hygiene: if your hamster's cage has accumulated a lot of dirt, impurities or excrement, it is possible that your hamster won’t eat. It is very sad when your hamster dies, especially if you watched it growing up from a very young hamster and then you see the process of the hamster's old age until it dies, but a hamster will always be a loving company to anyone seeking in having a small pet with good company. A normal reaction would be for it to perk its ears up and look towards your direction. Then start back onto fresh foods slowly so that your hamster can slowly adjust to the dietary change. These are all clear signs that your hamster has accumulated stress and tension and is trying to find a way to release it. Dying of old age (which your hamster is doing) is not pleasant - it's a gradual shut down of the major organs over many days which does cause pain. Babies look perplexed and sound squealy all the time. When i had my hamster put down it only cost about a fiver - it was a long time ago (bit over 10 years - wow i feel old now it doesnt seem like that long ago!) well i've had mine foe three years now and i want to know how you can tell when my hamster is about to die . hello guys, i have just pointed out a couple of things that could indicate your hamster is aging. When you open the cage door, are your hamsters responsive? If one watches their hamster every day it’s easy to see the changes that come with maturity. With diarrhea, withhold fresh foods for a few days and resume offering them only if the diarrhea is completely resolved. One of the easiest ways to tell if your hamster is dehydrated is to do the ‘skin tent’ test. Dehydration is a real concern anytime your hamster has diarrhea so make sure they are still drinking their water if it occurs. System Posts: 2,096,985. Can you tell me a little more about the hamster's situation? adminsatu. Interaction Between You and Your Hamster: Next observe how they interact with you. Here are five warning signs to check for as you handle and play with your hammy. Chronic stress often shown by bar biting, bad housing, the wrong kind of bedding, a poor diet and lack of exercise often make hamsters ill. It becomes clear that the pet owner is seeing the hamster gradually dying of natural causes. Tell if a Squirrel Has Rabies; Mucus Poop in Dogs; HOMEPAGE HEALTH. kind regards. This could simply indicate that your hamster just peed. Sometimes it can be hard to tell if your hamster is simply hibernating or if it has actually died. A Dying Hamster. I know that this may sound strange but all hamsters do that. she keeps on falling off her wheel and when she does go on it shes shes all crooked. In addition, inadequate hygiene can favor the proliferation of pathogens, as well as causing stress in the hamster. Look for your old topic and continue to post there so that other members can refer to previous symptoms) No - This is the first time I am asking for help on this hamster. Step 4 Watch the hamster in question to see how she interacts with other hamsters in the cage. In some cases, it can even give you a chance to save your hamster from dying. Good Bye I have to go now. Pinch your hamster’s skin. Has your hamster been in contact with a male recently? If you are concerned that your dwarf hamster is dying, take it to a veterinarian immediately. I have a hamster who seems to be dying JA: I'll do all I can to help. Know if Your Hamster Is Dying Paying close attention to your hamster’s health is an important part of being a responsible pet owner. The bottle should make a clicking sound. Here are some signs that something is wrong with your hamster. 2. If it stays up in a tent, then your hamster is dehydrated. The best way is to focus on all the happy times you had together and look at any pictures you have of your hamster. Therefore, remember to clean your hamster’s cage regularly, removing waste and stool. she wont stop drinking water. With only five species of hamster sold in the pet industry, it's pretty easy to determine which kind you have. You’ll get a rundown of the most common cage types, and the pros and cons of all 3, including a care and maintenance guide for those cages. Hamster is probably curled up trying to sleep and breathing hard. (If yes, do not start a new topic. Watch for movement. shes not as hyper. Life is but an instance of time, no matter how long it may be. - posted in Ailments & Injuries: Have I asked for help on this hamster before? 1. However, when a hamster is dead you will see no movement and no reaction to the fact that food has been placed right in front of them. Let go of the skin. If you didn't pay attention at the time, or forgot, do a simple Google search for hamster breeds. The grieving process is just a natural part of the human condition, and a result of loving someone or something, so allow it to happen. Written by: Stephany Elsworth. Wet Bottom. And with such tiny bodies, it can often be difficult to notice the subtle signs of life in a hibernating hamster. Labored breathing. I've had millions of gerbils (ok, not actually millions!) To begin with, it is very important to know that most hamsters usually hibernate to tolerate the winter months better. V healthy until today JA: When was the hamster last seen by a vet? Good luck! How to Know if Your Hamster Is Dying. Knowing the signs that your hamster is dying can give you a chance to make his finals days more comfortable or to make a decision to put him to sleep if he is in too much pain. Gnawing on the bars of the cage can indicate one of a number of things, including boredom, a lack of space, or overgrown teeth. If your hamster keeps biting the bars of its cage, then there may be some things that you need to do to improve your pet’s life. Hamsters in a hibernating state appear still and lifeless; their breathing and heart rate slow down. Labored or noisy breathing: it might sound like a little squeak or sigh. Hamsters live for two to three years. and they always die this way after 3-4 years. Take her to the vets to be put to sleep asap. All living creatures will eventually come to the end of their time. heres what shes doing. However, hamsters are also prone to a number of other serious illnesses that can be cured. If you want to know what kind and size cage your hamster needs, check out this article. For the most part, your hamster will entertain themselves. Youngsters are brimming with manic energy. But as a hamster owner you need to be on the lookout for certain signs that can tell you if you have a sick hamster. When you bought your hamster at the pet store, you likely know what type it is. lol try giving her a toy to make her happy but i dont know maybe she is dying Push the metal ball (inside the spout which ur hamster drinks out of)with your finger, pull your finger back, and see if a bubble of air floats to the top. she sleeps for then usual. Unusual habits. Thanks! Customer: she’s a dwarf hamster, approx 9 months old. Written on: July 14, 2020. hamster eating image by cat from Fotolia.com. It has entered what I call the “twilight period” of a hamster’s life. my hamster is dying. but anyways i wouldnt have thought the price would have gone up by that much. 0. See whether your hamster is drinking more water than usual. There are multiple ways you can try to increase your hamster’s body temperature; First, try to pick him up and shift your body heat on to theirs. her fur is falling out. The following are the most obvious ways of telling if your hamster is pregnant. They even might go weeks without eating. i'm 13 years old and if i know when shes about to die than i can get ready because i have just lost my rabbit and i i have only just got over it . i dont think your hamster is dying. Sometimes, when your hamster is old, there will be nothing you can do to save him. Hamsters are only pregnant for a very short length of time - some species give birth less than 20 days after mating! Number one sign that your hamster has less than 48 hours on the ol' life clock. Even tho its more than the hamster prob cost it is worth it so that it wont have to suffer. Excessive thirst often accompanies pregnancy in hamsters, but it may also be a sign of gastrointestinal distress from fruits and vegetables as well. For example, when a hamster is dying they may sit in one spot very still because they don’t have that much energy to move, but if you put food in front of them they’ll make an effort to try to eat some of it.