I live in an apartment with two roomies. They had purchased two hamsters with cage and ball and extra wheel in September when they were 8 weeks old. They had split the cost and agreed that Roomie 1 would be 100 percent caregiver when Roomie 2 was gone for holiday breaks and such. I didn't put any $ into this so we all agreed it really wasnt my responsibility.I was alone almost all of Thanksgiving Break, assuming that Roomie 1 would be back periodically for different things, and thus would be responsible for the hamsters. I was alone Fri and Sat night, and since I assumed she was coming in and out (she never called me) that the hamsters were okay. I never really paid much attention to them except the original glance in the cage. As of Thurs night, they seemed fine. Sun night-they are dead. Me and Roomie 2 examined the cage and found the food dish bone dry, and extra food gone too that they stuffed and hid. Are we wrong to assume this is neglect from Roomie 1? They were healthy before.
2006-11-27 14:42:37 · 9 answers · asked by ilovemycello1 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Yes this is neglect. I would not agree on replacing the hamsters.
2006-11-27 14:46:14 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
The story is a little confusing....The hamsters were ok Thursday, and then on Sunday they were deciesed. Correct?
It seems unlikely that they starved. Even if you give a hamster a whole bowl of food, he will tend to move and bury it somewhere else in the cage. Check under the bedding to see if there isn't some hidden. But even if all the food was eaten, it takes longer than two days for a hamster to starve. It takes less time for them to die of thirst.
It is more likely that they died of a disease or infection, which common for young hamsters. The most common cause of death is Wet Tail, a form of diaherria. A hamster loses body fluids faster than can be replaced. It is possible for a baby hamster to succome to Wet Tail in a few days. Check to see if the hamsters had wet (sticky, brown) bottoms. The cage should also have a foul odor from the excessive diaherria.
I'm so sorry that your roomies lost their furry friends. But blaming Roomie 1 for neglect is a little extreme. I'm sure she didn't intend for this to happen. It is fine to leave hamsters alone for a few days (if you're going on a trip), as long as they have more than enough food and water. Like I said before, sickness in young hamsters is common, and is usually brought on by stress (from being in a new home) or change of diet (pet shop food to your food) or more. It is hard to treat if not caught in time.
I hope this helps.
2006-11-27 15:08:29 · answer #2 · answered by Shiomi Ryuu 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, this is not really Roomie ones fault. Many things can happen over Thanksgiving break, which could cause her for not feeding the hamsters. I am not trying to point fingers, but you and roomie 2 may have should have checked on the hamsters to make sure they had food or water. Of course, sometimes hamsters die for other reasons, not just for lack of food. So really, it may not be any-ones fault at all.
2006-11-27 14:48:18 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Absolutely Roomie 1 is responsible. It saddens me to think there are so many irresponsible people like that that get pets!!! How very sad.
2006-11-27 23:15:50 · answer #4 · answered by zaytox0724 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Did they have water?It's more likely that they died from lack of water than lack of food.I would say that the blame lies with everyone who lives there.Someone should have checked on the poor things,regardless of who the "real" owner was.But it's happened now,and the hamsters certainly can't be brought back.I would suggest not getting any more pets until everyone agrees to take responsibility.
2006-11-27 14:59:24 · answer #5 · answered by Dances With Woofs! 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Roomie 1 should have asked you to please feed the hamsters while they were gone.
They were cruel and don't deserve to own pets. Although having seen nobody feed them you could have put some food and water in there on Sat.
2006-11-27 14:51:39 · answer #6 · answered by mom of 2 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
IF ANY OF YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE ADULTS, WHY DIDN'T ONE OF YOU PUT FOOD IN THERE BEFORE THEY DIED! THAT IS SO SAD! IF THAT WERE A CHILD YOU WOULD OF CHECKED I HOPE! THEY ARE LOCKED IN A CAGE & DEPENDENT ON US PEOPLE, IF THATS WHAT YOU WANT TO CALL YOURSELF! SOMEONE SHOULD HAVE JUST DUMPED EXTRA FOOD IN THERE TO BE SAFE! THEY PROBIBLY DIED FROM NOT HAVING ANY WATER OR ONEWOULD HAVE ATE THE OTHER ONE! DO NOT EVER OWN A PET AGAIN PLEASEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!!!
2006-11-27 21:18:52 · answer #7 · answered by Weiner 2 · 2⤊ 1⤋
bad
2006-11-27 14:50:15 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
THAT WAS A SAD STORY I HOPE IT DIDN'T REALLY HAPPEN
2006-11-27 14:58:28 · answer #9 · answered by Mom 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋