How can hamsters die

Our fuzzy friends have very delicate constitutions and so this is something of which you need to be very aware. Your hamster can also catch a cold from having their cage in a drafty location or even from being given a bath, which stresses them out and can wash out protective, natural oils from their fur. With so many things that can hurt your fuzzy friend it is easy to panic, but take a deep breath and pause for a second.

You are not completely powerless. Here are some things which you can do to help:. Today we have tackled the unpleasant subject of hamster fragility. Our intent is not to scare you, but only to help you to be more aware of why early deaths can occur and to know what you can do to help prevent this. Just keep a close eye on your furry friend and when in doubt never hesitate to get your veterinarian.

Here's how to do just that. Just like any other living creature, hamsters can get sick and die. The cause can be a bacterial, viral or fungal infection. When these are left untreated - and sometimes even with the best veterinarian care - they can sometimes be fatal. Hamsters easily spread disease amongst each other, so if you have more than one hamster in a habitat and think one might be sick, you should separate them right away.

Your hamster might have picked up a virus from an ill hamster in their cage at the pet store, or they could have developed an illness after you brought them home.

Either way, none of us wants to see our pet unwell. With that in mind, here are a few common hamster illnesses that, if left untreated, can result in death. For a more detailed coverage of these and other ailments, make sure you read our guide about the 7 health issues in hamsters that every owner needs to know about. We love to coo over hamster with chubby cheeks, commenting on how adorable their little faces look.

Your hamster can develop an infection, caused by bacteria. This infection can result in an abscess and can be extremely painful for your pet, requiring drainage and antibiotics. Left untreated, the bacteria which causes the abscess can get into the hamster's bloodstream and cause a dangerous condition called bacteremia. Since the hamster's body is so small, once bacteremia sets in, there's usually no going back. That's why you should not delay treatment - get your hamster to the vet as soon as you notice any lumps.

The little critters can develop the sniffles, sneezing, or even have a cough. If you notice your hamster has a wet nose, having difficulty breathing, or is wheezing, a cold might be the culprit.

But, even though a cough is relatively harmless for humans, a respiratory infection can lead to a more serious illness in your hamster. If you believe your pet has a cold, it's best to consult with a medical professional for advice on how to treat and keep your hamster healthy.

In other words, yes, your hamster needs to be seen by a qualified veterinarian. Triggered by bacteria and stress, wet tail disease is unfortunately very common among hamsters and is highly contagious. Sadly, even if caught early, most wet tail disease diagnoses end in death with 72 hours. If you notice your hamster has diarrhea, unexplained wetness around the tail, low energy, fatigue, or aggression, it is critical to seek medical attention for your pet as soon as possible.

Your veterinarian can accurately assess your hamster and discuss the next steps of care, or prescribe antibiotics if required. Read more in our guide about Wet Tail Disease in hamsters. By following a few simple tips, you can help keep your hamster safe and encourage a healthy life for your pet.

Hamsters easily catch and spread disease. They can even catch colds from humans! When your hamster is healthy again, you can reintroduce your pets when you and your vet think it's safe to do so.

Try to avoid keeping your hamster in a place that is drafty, too cold, or has excessive moisture such as an unfinished basement. Try to keep your hamster's cage away from drafty windows. You might want to invest in a heat lamp if it's difficult to keep the room warm. Hamsters are nocturnal. They love to play, eat, and exercise in the dark! Something as simple as your hamster slipping out of your hands and onto the floor can be deadly for your pet.

It's important to be very careful when you, a friend, or a child are handling your hamster. If you allow your hamster to run and explore outside of their cage, make sure you prevent injury and keep them in a safe, enclosed area. For instance, a fall off of a bed could mean a severe injury and a trip to the vet for your pet. Hamsters are inquisitive creatures by nature and love to explore their cages, creating tunnels and hiding beneath their bedding.

While wild hamsters can sometimes hibernate in the winter, most domestic hamsters do not. Mycoplasma pulmonis and Pasteurella pneumotropic a are the typical causes of pneumonia in hamster colonies that are well managed. Degenerative renal disease affects older hamsters and has a higher prevalence in females, with amyloid deposition formation as a concurrent event [3]. Some evidence suggests that hamsters fed a diet higher in protein may increase the chances of nephritis.

This is a spontaneously occurring disease of hamsters aged one year and older where thin-walled sacs filled with fluid occur in the organs.

Affected areas observed include the liver, epididymis, pancreas, and esophagus, although the liver is the most common site [17]. Diabetes is uncommon or rare in hamsters, with the exception of the Chinese hamster, particularly from inbred lines [6]. It involves above normal levels of blood sugar caused by lack of production or ineffective use of insulin [19].

The symptoms of diabetes in hamsters are increased thirst, drinking, and peeing, as well as weight loss, lethargy, and strong-smelling urine. It may be possible to manage diabetes in hamsters with a special diet to extend their lives [19].

These are just a few of the diseases and conditions that can seemingly quickly kill hamsters with little notice. It is common to never find any evidence to make a definitive conclusion on what happened, so do not stress about the lack of answers, and if you choose to get another hamster, be sure you care for your pet to the best of your ability, paying particular attention to diet, enrichment, and enclosure design, reducing stress as much as possible.

It is not meant to substitute for diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, prescription, or formal and individualized advice from a veterinary medical professional. Animals exhibiting signs and symptoms of distress should be seen by a veterinarian immediately.

Mine too. She just died last night. Because that morning she was so active and so sweet. She wanted me to play with her. It is unfortunately common for hamsters to die suddenly. I tried enticing him with treats, peanut butter was his favorite treat, but nothing was doing it. I took him to the vets, but I was told that he was old and that we should prepare ourselves for the inevitable.

But how do we do that? All we knew was the active, resilient Puffy. As a hamster gets older, or if they are sick, they may struggle to regulate their body temperature. If they get too cold; they may go into a state of hibernation, which in turn can lead to hypothermia. If on the other hand, they get too hot; they may suffer from heat stress or heat stroke, which in turn can lead to a painful death.

Place the flax seeds or rice grains in a sock or fleece pouch. Heat the pad in small increments. The pad will keep the heat for about 1 hour. Do not leave this pad alternative in the cage for them to chew. Once it is cold remove it and repeat the process if you need to. If you have 2 or 3 hamsters in one cage, isolate the one that is unwell into his own cage to prevent stress from other animals and activity, and minimize the risk of disease transmission to cage mates.

Hamsters are known to exercise even when they are unwell. To prevent them from injuring themselves or using the reserve energy, take out all the wheels, tubes, and climbing toys they may have in their cage. However, if you feel your hamster can still cope with some exercise, discuss this with your vet. It may be that you can add the toys for a short period of time.

Remember your vet is there to help your hamster get to the rainbow in the most comfortable way. Use their knowledge. Together you and your vet can ensure your furry friend is comfortable and happy. Hamsters are well known for not eating large amounts of food, after all, they are only small. Instead, they like to hide their food. However, like any other living creature, they need food and water to survive.

One of the first signs you notice when your hamster is dying is the lack of appetite and thirst. Their bodies are shutting down. They no longer have the sensation of hunger or thirst. Food is not essential for your hamster.

They can go for several days without eating and that is ok. However, dehydration may make them feel uncomfortable and can be a cause for a painful death. Hamsters need to drink approximately 10ml 2 teaspoons per g of their body weight.

If your vet is close try the below suggestion until you reach your vet.