My hamster, Sunshine died a year ago... we think she died of to hot, we keep her in a cage by the window (no where else to put the cage) and we also had fans all around her cage when it was hot a humid outside. Well that day it was really hot and humid and we where about to leave to the mall, she just looked fine going on her wheel all healthy and we put the fans around her cage. When we got back from the mall we saw her in the middle of the cage tunnel slide thingy and trapped in with the cage bedding! We tried to get her to the vet but she wasn't moving,breathing,and she was already hard. So we just put her outside the cage and under a big fan to see if she could live. She didn't. Do you know why she died?
2007-06-04 11:41:54 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Rodents
As has already been said, it could have been many things.. you mentioned that she was blocked in her tunnel with bedding.. this says to me that she was getting ready to die.. I had one for 4 !/2 years (yes, very old hamster), the day she died she buried herself (I didn't let her completely bury herself, but she tried several times).. she went to sleep like that and never woke up..similar in some ways to a cat or dog trying to run away or hide when they are dying.. (it's a natural reaction.. if you show weakness you are likely to be attacked in the wild.. so they try to hide when they know it is time..) Hamsters are fairly adaptable.. if there was shade and water there should be no problem with the heat.. air conditioner might have made her sick.. but I don't think it would happen in one day with no signs..
I would say stop worrying about it. Hamsters have very short life spans, it may seem sudden.. but even getting close to five years it felt sudden when mine died.. Sometimes that happens with no warning.. (be happy, it's alot better than watching her suffer through wet tail, and tumors, and.. various other things.. )
2007-06-04 13:28:27 · answer #1 · answered by kaijawitch 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First of all never put any animal near a window or put fans on them, this combination is deadly as you found out too late. I'm not trying to be mean, but to let you know that you unwillingly and without knowing did something that wasn't healthy for her.
For future reference so this doesn't happen again, try these ideas. Putting the cage on the floor in a room without cats or dogs is the next best thing to do, the lowest level in a room is always cooler. The sun on the cage is like putting them in the oven even if their in a wire cage. Using fans on them can cause a respiratory infection that if not caught right away causes death. They can't take the humidity and if need be should be kept in a north facing room (no direct sunshine) or in the bath tub where it can be cooler especially if it's tiled. Just no water for swimming or bathing them, they can easily drown from one drop of water in their lungs. These are desert animals are are bred to survive in dry air, not humid air. They also love sand baths which can help cool them down.
2007-06-04 13:59:13 · answer #2 · answered by wolfinator25840 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
As everybody else has stated, hamsters only have a lifespan of about 3 years. The most common hamster sold in the U.S. is the Syrian hamster (also known as the Golden hamster, Teddybear hamster, common hamster). The Syrian hamster is adapted to a desert environment. This involves extreme temperatures - hot & cold and hamsters are are well adapted to both. While it's important for your hamster to have a shady area to be out of the sun, it's not likely that the heat killed Sunshine. It's likely that it was just her time to go. I'm sure she was a nice pet and you miss her but try not to dwell on it too much. Perhaps a new pet will help you feel better. Good luck.
2007-06-04 12:16:42 · answer #3 · answered by Alleycat 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aww...I'm sorry to hear your hamster died...
But I think I know why...First of all, your hamster should have been in a dark cool place. You said you didn't have any other place to put him in...Maybe you could have put him in another room?
Another thing is that a hamster's cage should not be in a place that has air conditioning or heat...
i'm sorry to say, but I think your hamster died because it wasn't supposed to be in a bright and hot place.
2007-06-04 12:41:31 · answer #4 · answered by <3 beautylicious <3 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I'm very sorry to hear that your hamster died. It sounds like he got trapped in the slide thingy and either suffocated or overheated because he was in a windows glare. Maybe he couldn't get out. I send my regards.
2007-06-04 12:03:02 · answer #5 · answered by Sheena 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Im sorry to hear that...and Im sorry your still questioning why it died a year later. Those lil guys only have a life span of about 3 years (give or take) It can be a number of things but it might be heat as a possiblity. Anything is...
2007-06-04 11:53:27 · answer #6 · answered by EchosOfAngels 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i'm srry to hear tat.wat i think is tat did the slide thingy had a door closed?(if there was a door lid)if it did, idk if it had a enough oxygen to breathe.well she might have died bcause of the fan.mayb it was too cold for her.was she eatin any food?and it might have stuck on her throat.enough water?was the air fresh?ask urself about these questions and maybe u'll get an answer.
i have a hamster too.i'm very srry to hear tat.good luck!
2007-06-04 11:48:38 · answer #7 · answered by DogL♡ver 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well it depends on her age. if she was over 1 1/2 years then she could have died of old age. but if she was younger than that, then she must have died from overheating. I'm so sorry :(
2007-06-04 12:07:48 · answer #8 · answered by Melanie 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lack of water, maybe?
2007-06-04 12:51:17 · answer #9 · answered by DD 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋