Content
- how long does a hamster live
- How to tell if your hamster is dying
- 5 Symptoms of Hamsters Dying
- My hamster is dying, what should I do?
- How to know if my hamster died
One of the things you should consider before adopting a hamster is that its Life expectancy it is much smaller than that of other pets such as dogs, cats, rabbits or turtles. These small rodents are very sensitive, get sick easily and often suffer greatly from sudden changes in the environment.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we will explain çhow to know if the hamster is dying and also what are the most common causes. We know that these are difficult questions because nobody likes to think about the possibility of losing a dear companion, but this information is necessary to know how to detect imbalances in your rodent's health and know how to act when this happens.
how long does a hamster live
Generally speaking, the average life expectancy of domestic hamsters is 2-3 years. However, to more accurately estimate how long a hamster lives, it is necessary to consider different factors, both internal and external to its organism, such as the following:
- The type of hamster you decided to adopt;
- The food and care you provide to your rodent;
- The environment your hamster lives in and the enrichment of its cage;
- Your physical activity and mental stimulation;
- Hygiene is maintained in your cage and at home.
As you can see, your hamster's longevity depends not only on the factors inherent in the organism, but also on the life conditions that you provide in his environment and in his routine. So, don't forget to take good care of your rodents to enjoy your company for a longer time.
How to tell if your hamster is dying
Many beginning tutors wonder how to tell if the hamster is die and how he coasts to die. As we mentioned, these rodents are very sensitive animals and their health can be easily affected by pathogenic microorganisms, sudden changes in routine and environment and climatic adversities, among other factors. Therefore, there are several causes that can make a hamster die and, as a caregiver, you should always be on the lookout to provide conditions that favor its well-being.
When a hamster lives in a tranquil environment, has balanced nutrition, has an enriched cage to lead an active life and enjoys the company of its owners, it is more likely to die from natural causes, ie, as an inevitable consequence of the aging process.
However, there are many common illnesses in hamsters that, if not properly treated, can cause an early death. In this sense, a poor diet it can also lead to the death of a hamster, as nutritional deficiencies weaken the rodent's immune system, leaving it more exposed to all kinds of illnesses. Likewise, the lack of hygiene The cage and the environment also favor the proliferation of pathogens that endanger the survival of the rodent.
It is also important to mention that hamsters are very prone to developing stress symptoms, as they need to remain constantly alert to their environment to detect any possible threat to their integrity and have time to react quickly. That's why a negative environment, with too much noise or excessive stimuli, usually severely harms a hamster's health.
Likewise, the lack of an enriched environment where the rodent can exercise its body and mind has a negative impact on its physical and mental health and can lead to obesity in hamsters and associated diseases, as well as causing changes in behavior and symptoms of depression.
Last (but not least), you should be aware of sudden weather changes, to avoid hypothermia or heat stroke in hamsters, as they can cause sudden death. Therefore, we recommend that you plan the location of your hamster's cage at home, avoiding exposure to weather, drafts, direct sunlight or other adverse weather conditions.
5 Symptoms of Hamsters Dying
Some of the symptoms of hamster dying most common are:
- Your hamster does not want to eat: Lack of appetite is one of the most common symptoms of illness in hamsters. A dying hamster will show no interest in consuming food or drinking water and will likely experience rapid and marked weight loss and signs of dehydration.
- Doesn't move and looks listless: inactivity and apathy can be symptoms of illness and stress in hamsters. But unlike a stressed rodent, a dying hamster is often unable to move or has great difficulty reacting to environmental stimuli.
- Ache: Sick hamsters usually show signs of pain and discomfort, such as hypersensitivity and refusal to be handled or touched, even by their owners.
- behavior changes: the state of pain and vulnerability can cause behavioral changes in hamsters, which may be more fearful, aggressive or nervous than usual.
- Your hamster has altered vital signs: when a hamster is going to die, its vital signs are altered. Your breathing becomes unsteady, your heart rate seems slower, and your body temperature lowers. Capillary refill time also increases in a dying hamster and the mucous membranes often take longer than 2 seconds to regain their normal color. In cases of intoxication or severe oxygenation problems, the mucous membranes may also have an abnormal color, being white or bluish.
My hamster is dying, what should I do?
If you identify abnormal symptoms in your hamster's behavior or appearance, the first thing to do is take him to the vet. If you have already passed on information about how to tell if the hamster is dying and they correspond to your pet, ideally, you should prepare to accompany your rodent at the time of death and give it some tranquility and security. Certainly, watching your hamster die will affect you a lot, but don't forget that you need to stay calm to say goodbye to your partner and give him love in the last moments of his life.
Don't make sudden movements, don't make loud noises and avoid manipulating your hamster. Just stay with him and act as calm as possible. If you don't feel ready to face this transition, don't be ashamed to ask a family member or friend for help..
How to help a hamster to die?
Noticing that their hamsters suffer a lot in their last days of life, some guardians wonder if it is possible to help a hamster to die less painfully. In this case, we would be talking about a assisted euthanasia, which can only be practiced professionally and safely by a properly trained professional, ie a veterinarian.
Home methods should never be used to help your hamster die, as they are not safe and their effects can be very adverse. Therefore, if you want to relieve your partner's pain, don't hesitate to consult a specialized veterinarian who can guide you to provide the best possible comfort for your hamster during the last days of its life.
How to know if my hamster died
When your hamster is dying, you will notice that its breathing will become more choppy and choppy, and your pulse will start decreasing progressively until it stops. It's also possible that your rodent will feel trembling and its jaw will be stiffer than usual.
To find out if a hamster is dead, you will need to confirm the absence of vital signs and pay attention to the following signs:
- Your hamster doesn't breathe and doesn't move;
- Relaxation of the sphincters;
- Absence of pulse;
- Zero capillary filling time (mucosa no longer regain its normal color due to lack of oxygenation and blood flow).
After confirming your hamster's death, you will need to be conscientious when saying goodbye to his body. You should never put the body in the trash, as it is very dangerous, contaminating and can cause the appearance of pathogens. There are veterinary clinics and hospitals that offer to take care of the body and even some that have an incineration service. You may also want to consider burying your hamster's body in a location that you feel is appropriate.
This article is for information purposes only, at PeritoAnimal.com.br we are not able to prescribe veterinary treatments or perform any type of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case it has any type of condition or discomfort.