we have had a few hamsters who have been very lively and healthy and have died unexpectedly (over a reasonable amount of time). any ideas of what goes wrong?
2006-11-15 23:10:17 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Hamsters tend not to get sick they just drop dead.
I had one that had rigor mortise for a week, but she wouldn't give in. She managed to drag herself over the other side of the cage to have a wee, then drag herself back again. Her heart finally gave up after an amazing fight for life.
2006-11-15 23:23:25 · answer #1 · answered by pampurredpuss 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the other replies, hamsters don't have a long life - anything over 18 months is old age for them! They can quite often just die without being ill and are also very nervous and sensitive animals so avoid grabbing them,or making loud noises. They need to be kept in a fairly warm room as I have known hamsters be mistaken as dead when they are really only hibernating!
2006-11-16 23:02:49 · answer #2 · answered by debzc 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hamsters are very short lived creatures of no more than 2 1/2 years 3 if you are lucky! Their usual lifespan is between 18 months and 2 years. Unfortunately they are susceptible to loud noises too!. Another thing that can cause them to die suddenly is starvation if their incisor teeth over grow. All rodents (which the hamster belongs) need to gnaw to grind down their ever growing teeth, if not the teeth can prise the mouth open or make it difficult for the hamster to chew its food and the hamster dies of starvation.
You should periodically check your pet's teeth to make sure they are not getting too long. If in doubt take the animal to a vet and a vet will check them for you and will cut them if they need it.
I am sorry that you keep having your hamsters die, I used to keep mice, rats, gerbils and hamsters. I have got 10+ years of experience with these animals.
Good luck with finding your answer.
2006-11-15 23:40:09 · answer #3 · answered by tunisianboy46 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
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RE:
why do my hamsters die unexpectedly?
we have had a few hamsters who have been very lively and healthy and have died unexpectedly (over a reasonable amount of time). any ideas of what goes wrong?
2015-08-26 06:41:47 · answer #4 · answered by ? 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think it doesn't help to try and ask why, sometimes little creatures just pass away and you will never really have the answer why. She wasn't an old hamster (Robos often live well past 2), but it was obviously just her time. Pet store animals often don't live as long as the average age, and it sounds like Capachino was one of them, but try and remember the good times that you had with her and the life you gave her and be happy for what you had rather than beating yourself up over what might have gone wrong.
2016-03-13 09:49:50 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
they only live for like 2 years. Hamsters are verry strange. I had the same problem with a couple of my hamsters. One never woke up, but he was fine and playing the last day. Its just the species (hamsters, i mean). If this upsets you, you might want to try a different animal.
2006-11-15 23:14:29 · answer #6 · answered by shop_4_evr 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They only live a very short life,usually about 2-3 years.
2006-11-15 23:14:23 · answer #7 · answered by richard_beckham2001 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
prehaps old age. Hamster dont live very long, about 2 1/2 - three years max really.
2006-11-15 23:12:13 · answer #8 · answered by Littleme 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Small rodents, and other animals like rabbits etc. need to survive out in the wild, and showing signs of weakness (ie. illness) would make them prone to predators, therefore their bodies have adapted to the need for not showing weakness, and only show signs of being ill when they are on their very last legs (about to die).
2006-11-15 23:43:11 · answer #9 · answered by joy_hardyman2003 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
As hamsters are nocturnal, their environment should be kept at an even temperature, as drop in temperatures can be a severe shock to them!
2006-11-15 23:16:33 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋