12 Signs Of A Dying Hamster & Tips
Hamsters are among the short-living pet that doesn’t live for long which leads to the common question of signs of a dying hamster.
In this post, we will outline and discuss the most common signs of a dying hamster you should know and look out for.
We will also outline the most common ways to care for a dying hamster, and finally, we discuss how to know your hamster is dead.
Before we proceed to all we have for the day, let me quickly give you a simple summary of your concern about signs of a dying hamster.
Signs Of A Dying Hamster
Signs of a dying hamster may include decreased activity and energy levels, loss of appetite, and changes in breathing patterns.
Other signs to watch for include weight loss, hunched posture, and a lack of grooming. It is important to monitor these signs closely and consult a veterinarian if you suspect your hamster is nearing the end of its life.
Let’s dive deeper…
Here are some indicators that your hamster is dying:
1. Hamsters that are dying grow feeble and less active
Hamsters are normally quite active, especially at night. And if they are not busy, check out these reasons.
If your hamster sleeps most of the day, don’t be alarmed if he or she rests frequently when the sun is shining. A hamster that is not moving and appears apathetic or sluggish might be a symptom of disease, stress, or death.
Unlike a stressed rodent, a dying hamster is usually unable to move or respond to stimuli from its environment. If your hamster looks to be less energetic and vibrant than normal during the next several days, pay close attention.
If your hamster’s activity levels do not return to normal, take him to the doctor. Hamsters will hibernate if the temperature remains cold for a lengthy amount of time.
If you believe your hamster is hibernating, warm up the area and make sure there is food and water accessible when it wakes up. As evidenced by what seems to be a very deep slumber and very shallow breathing.
2. A dying hamster develops trouble breathing
Look for signs that you’re having trouble breathing. It’s possible that your hamster is dying if he or she is gasping or puffing.
Noisy and heavy breathing are also signs of respiratory distress, which can be life-threatening.
A hamster’s vital signs will change as it approaches death. Its breathing may become labored, its heart rate may decrease, and its body temperature may fall.
The time it takes for a hamster’s capillaries to refill will also increase, and its mucous membranes will take longer than 2 seconds to recover to their normal color.
In cases of poisoning or severe oxygenation problems, the mucous membranes may seem strangely colored, white, or blue.
3. Sticky eyeballs are common in dying hamsters
As your hamster gets older, his or her eyes will begin to change. As hamsters become older, their eyes may get more matte and sticky.
When a piece of dust or bedding becomes trapped in an aged hamster’s eye while they are resting, the condition is known as a sticky eye. As a result, their eyeballs get stuck together when they wake up.
You may help them get out by gently cleaning their eyes with a dampened handkerchief. It primarily affects elderly hamsters, although it can also affect younger hamsters.
4. Hamsters who are dying may have a lot of diarrhea
Ascertain that your hamster does not suffer from diarrhea as a result of consuming tainted food. A common hamster ailment is a wet tail, which is followed by diarrhea.
It might be an indication of a serious infection or that your hamster is dying. At the base of your hamster’s tail, look for a wet, mucus-like substance.
If your hamster has diarrhea and changes in food and activity levels, he or she may have a wet tail.
A wet tail might be lethal within 48 hours. As a result, you’ll need to move swiftly and seek advice from a veterinarian.
If the veterinarian discovers a wet tail, antibiotics, anti-diarrhea medicine, or fluids may be prescribed.
5. Hamsters who are dying may have a chronic skin condition
Take a steady look at the hamster’s fur. Skin changes in your hamster might indicate a health concern or death signs.
Look for redness, swelling, and abscesses, which are all symptoms of infection that come by often as hamsters age.
Lift the loose skin (the scruff) across the hamster’s shoulders to check for dehydration.
It should pop back into place if you let go – this is typical. The skin of a dehydrated hamster “tents” or remains in a peak.
This is a dangerous symptom, and you should have your hamster examined by a veterinarian.
When your hamster has a skin condition, she may scratch more. This may serve as a signal to you that the hamster is about to exit life.
6. Hair loss is common in dying hamsters
Take a look at the coat of the hamster. In most situations, a hamster’s fur should be full and shiny.
As hamsters age, their fur will thin. This is quite normal. If your hamster’s fur begins to fall out in clumps, he may be sick or dying.
Note: matted fur around the hamster’s belly and tail might indicate an infection.
7. Discharges are seen in dying hamsters
In particular, look for a runny nose, red or irritated eyes, and swollen cheeks.
Hamsters have runny noses when they’re sick, and they’re especially sensitive to colds.
These infections are normally not life-threatening, but if they persist, see a veterinarian.
Food is transported by your hamster through pouches on his cheeks.
These pouches may be unhealthy if they appear to be full for an extended length of time.
Any hamster discharge that is bloody should be recorded and reported to your vet as soon as possible.
If you see blood coming out of the hamster’s eyes, nose, ears, mouth, or anus, it means it’s sick and about to die.
8. The personality of dying hamsters changes
Keep an eye on your hamster’s behavior and appearance for any changes.
In individuals who are badly affected, a damp tail might produce sleepiness and a ruffled coat.
Furthermore, a hamster with a serious, life-threatening disease may become immobile and refuse to eat.
Pain and vulnerability in hamsters can cause them to modify their behavior, making them more fearful, aggressive, and agitated than usual.
9. Hamsters that are dying don’t have the desire to eat
One of the most typical indicators of illness or time up in hamsters is a lack of appetite, which might explain why they aren’t eating or drinking.
When a hamster is on the verge of death, he or she refuses to eat or drink.
There may be signs of dehydration as well as rapid or severe weight loss.
Despite the fact that hamsters sleep during the day, they require frequent feeding.
Keep track of whether or not your hamster is eating and how much he’s eating.
If your hamster is eating less but still eating, keep a close check on him during the following day or two.
You should take your hamster to the veterinarian as soon as possible if he stops eating.
10. Developing gastrointestinal anomalies
Hamsters that are dying frequently experience gastrointestinal discomfort or sickness.
Many of them will have stomach aches, which is one of the reasons why they may eat less and stay sedentary.
Of course, GI issues aren’t always indicative of approaching mortality, so see your hamster’s veterinarian if you observe any of the symptoms.
Vomiting, diarrhea, and loud stomach noises are among the symptoms, which sound similar to the stomach rumbling that people experience.
11. Hamsters that are dying appear to be in agony
When hamsters are in pain, they either stop moving or become aggressive and anxious.
It’s possible that your hamster is in pain if it shows signs of discomfort and refuses to be stroked or petted.
Because of the agony and trauma, they are going through, dying hamsters might turn violent toward other pets.
Others may have extreme anxiety and hypersensitivity to their environment.
If this is the case, you should keep your hamster apart from other pets so it can rest comfortably.
If its pain and aggressive behavior last more than a few days, you should take it to the local animal clinic right once.
12. Hamsters that are dying appear to lose weight
When a hamster is dying, it stops eating on a regular basis, resulting in significant weight loss.
Underweight hamsters develop weakened immune systems, making them more susceptible to illness.
Check your hamster’s weight on a regular basis to determine if there have been any noticeable changes in its growth.
Aspects of the face, such as the lips, eyes, and nose, should be observed as well.
Swollen and mucus-filled eyes, a runny nose, and oral infections might indicate more serious health problems.
If your hamster displays any of these symptoms, you should take it to the veterinarian right away to avoid further problems or, worse, death.
Ways to care and comfort a dying hamster
The following are some of the most frequent techniques to care for and soothe a drying hamster that you should be aware of:
1. Pay closer care to your hamster who is dying
Despite their solitary nature, hamsters may form bonds with their human companions.
People may want comfort and security from your company as they approach death.
Spoil your hamster in whatever way you can. You can clean their buttocks with baby wipes if they require it.
Collect your hamster’s favorite snacks and cuddle up with them.
Excessive holding, on the other hand, may lead your hamster to feel exhausted and lose energy.
2. Provide pain relief medication
You must do anything you can to make life easy for your dying hamster, even if it means giving him pain medicine.
This method is required to keep your hamster comfortable during his dying days, but only use medication that has been prescribed by a professional veterinarian.
You run the risk of worsening the situation and making them feel much worse if you self-prescribe.
3. Provide a more protein diet for your dying hamster
Increase your hamster’s protein intake since proteins can help your hamster grow stronger.
Incorporating some tasty, protein-rich foods into your hamster’s diet may help it recover from illness.
Remember to wash the dishes as needed while feeding your hamster a high-protein diet.
4. Try to hand-feed your dying hamster
If your hamster isn’t eating or drinking from its bowls, you can feed it by hand or with a syringe.
It’s possible that this is a better solution for your hamster than switching to a new dish. It can also provide beverages and minerals.
Food crumbs should be placed in your hands to test whether your hamster would eat them.
To allow your hamster to feed, you may wish to do this while sitting in a comfortable position.
To make your hamster feel safe and comfortable, stroke and talk to it.
Place the syringe in the corner of the mouth, behind the front teeth.
Then press the plunger down. Your hamster may even feed itself by picking up the syringe.
5. Keep food and water closer to your dying hamster
Place the food and water dishes of your hamster close together. Hamsters become lethargic and stop eating when they are unwell.
They must eat and drink on a regular basis to fight illness and recover.
Bringing the food and water bowls closer to your hamster encourages it to eat and drink while moving less.
Place the dishes adjacent to your hamster’s residence.
This makes it simple for your hamster to move from his warm spot to the food and water he or she needs.
6. Provide a more comfortable space
Hamsters are known to exercise even when they are unwell.
Remove any wheels, tubes, or climbing gadgets from their cage to prevent them from injuring themselves or exhausting their reserves.
Make sure they sleep in a clean, dark place that is devoid of noise, draughts, and wetness to keep them comfortable.
If you already have two or three hamsters in a cage, this is a good option.
Sick hamsters should be kept in separate cages to prevent stress from other animals and activities, as well as to decrease the risk of sickness spreading to other hamsters.
7. Control the temperature of the environment
Sick and dying hamsters, particularly the elderly, have trouble controlling their body temperature.
They may go into hibernation if the temperature in their surroundings becomes too cold, which is detrimental for them.
Heat stress and heat stroke can occur in a very hot environment, putting their health in danger.
A room temperature of 64 to 73 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for hamsters.
Warmth can be provided with dried grass, hay, or wood shavings for your dying hamster.
8. Avoid dehydration
One of the first signs that your hamster is dying is a lack of appetite and thirst. As time passes, their bodies begin to fail them.
Hunger and thirst are no longer a part of their existence.
Hamsters may get restless as a result of dehydration, and they may die in a painful manner.
Watermelon, cucumber, or apples, for example, are high in moisture and should be fed to your hamster in a low amount.
Make sure the apple is peeled and the seeds from the cucumber and watermelon have been removed.
To “nurse” him, remove the bottle from the cage, pick him up, and gently place the bottle into their mouth.
9. Hold and warm your dying hamster
Hold your hamster for warmth and comfort in your dying days on Earth.
If your hamster is comfortable and not fighting you, wrap it in a small towel and keep it close to your body.
This is a fantastic way to spend quality time with your dying hamster. If your hamster appreciates being held, this strategy will work.
The hamster may snuggle up and snooze on you as the towel and your body heat defrost it off.
Avoid putting your hamster near a window where it will be exposed to direct sunlight. Choose a shaded, well-ventilated area in your home instead.
Stroke your hamster if it allows it. You may even sing to it or have a conversation with it.
This will aid in the relaxation and calmness of your hamster.
10. Food and water bowls should be replaced regularly
Your hamster’s food and water bowls should be replenished on a regular basis.
If you haven’t already, wash your hamster’s food and water bowls with hot, diluted, soapy water.
After they’ve dried fully, give them new food and water.
This will lower your hamster’s risks of being unwell and may even improve its desire for food.
Avoid using bleach to clean your hamster’s food and water dishes. It’s possible that leftover bleach has poisoned your hamster.
11. Make an appointment with your veterinarian
Keep a close lookout for any early signs of illness. When a hamster is sick or dying, he or she usually exhibits one or more minor physical signs.
Regularly monitoring your hamster will help you recognize potential problems, give comfort, and seek veterinary advice if the symptoms do not improve within a few days.
Keep an eye out for signs of impending death or serious illness. Some hamsters may exhibit more worrisome indicators of sickness or death.
If your hamster doesn’t respond to your attempts to make it comfortable and keep it nourished and watered, take it to the clinic.
Finding the correct therapy for your hamster in a timely manner might be critical to his or her rehabilitation.
How to tell a hamster is dead
When a hamster is dying, its breathing becomes frenzied and choppy, and its pulse drops progressively until it is exhausted.
It’s also possible that your hamster has tremors or has his jaw clamped.
The absence of a pulse, no visible breathing or movement, and loosened sphincters are the ultimate symptoms that your hamster is dead.
Conclusion
Hamsters are quite popular among youngsters as pets. The average lifespan of these little tamed rats is one to two years.
Their lifetime begins to shorten once they reach the age of 13 months or two years.
The majority of hamsters die as a result of natural causes such as old age or illness.
However, if your pet is still alive after 13 months, it may be displaying indications of death.
Loss of appetite, tiredness, and trouble breathing are all common symptoms.
If your hamster exhibits any of these symptoms, you should take them to the veterinarian as soon as possible.
I hope is post answered your question on signs of a dying hamster!
