How to tell if the hamster is dying
One of the things to keep in mind before adopting a hamster is that your life expectancy is much lower than that of other pets, such as dogs, cats, rabbits or turtles. These small rodents are very sensitive, get sick easily and tend to suffer a lot from sudden changes in the environment.
- In this Animal Expert article.
- We will also explain the most common causes.
- We know they are difficult questions because no one likes to think about the possibility of losing a much-loved partner.
- But this information is necessary to know how to detect imbalances in your rodent’s health and how to act when it happens.
In general, the average life expectancy of domestic hamsters is 2 to 3 years. However, to more accurately estimate the lifespan of a hamster, it is necessary to take into account various factors internal and external to your body, such as:
As you can see, your hamster’s longevity depends not only on the factors inherent in your body, but also on the living conditions you offer in your environment and routine. So don’t forget to take good care of your rodents to enjoy your company any longer.
Many novice tutors wonder how to know if the hamster is dying and how much it costs to die. As mentioned, these rodents are highly sensitive animals and their health can be easily affected by pathogenic microorganisms, abrupt changes in routine and environmental and climatic adversities, among other factors. Therefore, several causes can lead to the death of a hamster and, as a caregiver, you should always be vigilant to provide conditions that favor your well-being.
When a hamster lives in a quiet environment, has a balanced diet, has a cage enriched to lead an active life and enjoys the company of its owners, it is more likely to die from natural causes, that is, as an inevitable consequence of the aging process. .
However, there are many common diseases in hamsters that, if not treated properly, can lead to premature death. In this sense, poor diet can also result in the death of a hamster, as nutritional deficiencies weaken the rodent’s immune system, making it more exposed to all kinds of diseases. Similarly, poor cage and environmental hygiene also promotes the proliferation of pathogens that endanger rodent survival.
It is also important to mention that hamsters are highly predisposed to develop stress symptoms, as they must remain constantly alert to their environment to detect any potential threats to their integrity and have time to react quickly. That’s why a negative environment, with a lot of noise or excessive stimulation, often seriously impairs the health of a hamster.
Similarly, the lack of an enriched environment, where the rodent can exercise your body and mind, has a negative impact on your 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, it is necessary to be aware of sudden climate change, to avoid a situation of hypothermia or heatstroke in the hamsters, as they can cause sudden death. Therefore, we recommend that you plan the location of your hamster cage at home, avoiding leaving it exposed to bad weather, air currents, direct sunlight or other weather adversities.
Some of the most common symptoms of dying hamsters are
Se você identificar sintomas anormais no comportamento ou aparência do seu hamster, a primeira coisa a fazer é levá-lo ao veterinário. Caso você já tenha repassado as informações sobre como saber se o hamster está morrendo e elas são correspondentes ao seu pet, o ideal é que você se prepare para acompanhar seu roedor na hora da morte e dar a ele alguma tranquilidade e segurança. Certamente, ver o seu hamster morrer afetará muito você, mas não se esqueça de que você precisa manter a calma para se despedir do seu companheiro e lhe dar amor nos últimos momentos de sua vida.
Don’t make sudden movements, don’t make loud noises and avoid touching your hamster. Stay with him and act as calmly as possible. If you don’t feel ready for this transition, feel free to ask a family member or friend for help.
How do I help a hamster die?
Realizing that your hamster suffers a lot in the last days of your life, some tutors wonder if it is possible to help a hamster die with less pain. In this case, we would talk about assisted euthanasia, which can only be practiced professionally and safely by a properly trained professional, that is, a veterinarian.
Homemade methods should never be used to help your hamster die, as they are not safe and their effects can be very harmful. Therefore, if you want to relieve your partner’s pain, do not hesitate to consult a specialist veterinarian who can guide you to offer the best possible comfort to your hamster during the last days of your life.
When your hamster is dying, you’ll notice that your breathing will become more hectic and choppy, and your pulse will start to gradually decrease until it stops. Your rodent may also experience tremors and your jaw becomes stiffer than normal.
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:
After confirming the death of your hamster, you must be aware of saying goodbye to your body. You should never throw the body away because it is very dangerous, polluting and can cause pathogens to appear. There are veterinary clinics and hospitals that are offered to take care of the body and even some that have cremation service. You may also consider burying your hamster’s body in a place you deem appropriate.
This article is for informational purposes only, in Animal Expert.com.br we cannot prescribe veterinary treatments or make any kind of diagnosis. We suggest that you take your pet to the veterinarian in case of any type of condition or discomfort.
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