The safety and well-being of your hamster should always be of utmost priority when raising these lovely little rodents. We feed, pet, and provide the best form of care to ensure our little pocket rodents live normal happy lives.

Unfortunately, accidents may occur that can put the comfort and even life of your beloved pocket rodent in danger. In such instances, guilt can eat at you to the point where self-doubt about your capabilities as a pet parent pops up.

Can hamsters die from being dropped? Hamsters can die from being dropped from a considerable height such as the last floor of a multi-story building to the ground. However, most falls inside your apartment like from your couch to the floor or inside the cage should only result in shock and minor injuries unless the hamster falls on razors, knives, and other sharp objects.

Accidental dropping of your hamster may happen once in a while which can visibly shake the little guy.

Can Hamsters Die From Being Dropped?

Most common hamster drops such as from the bed to the floor are typically not fatal. Such accidents may lead to physical injuries that could restrict the little rodent’s movements for several days or a few weeks. In some cases, the hamster may become paralyzed from these falls.

However, death cannot be completely ruled out even in falls from normal distances. Here are a few instances where hamsters can die from not-so-high drops.

Internal Injuries 

There are times when a hamster looks normal after suffering a fall and often backs itself into a corner to sleep. This can give a false reassurance that he’s ok due to the absence of physical injuries only to realize after a couple of hours that the little guy has died.

This is often caused by internal injuries resulting from serious damage to critical organs. Such injuries may not look conspicuous to the naked eyes but the consequences can be dire.

Landing On The Head

Death from hamster drops or falls may be inevitable even from average heights when the hamster does not land well. An accidental landing on the head can be so forceful that the hamster’s neck may snap.

This often leads to pain and agony, with the injured hamster dying shortly after. You may try to get the poor little guy to the nearest vet but they usually do not survive the duration of the trip.

Landing on Sharp Objects 

Pocket rodents can die easily from landing on sharp objects such as razors, knives, broken glass, and box cutters. These objects can cause sharp force trauma by cutting deeply into your hamster once he falls.

The resultant blood loss may be significant with the hamster eventually dying from his injuries. If you’re raising hamsters or any other pets at home, leaving sharp objects lying around is not advisable. Your pets will always be in danger of suffering significant injuries that could be potentially fatal.

What Happens When Your Hamster Falls From Your Hands?

A hamster can suffer several types of injuries when dropped or accidentally falls on its own from a considerable height. The extent of injuries if any may also be influenced by the landing spot. A few of the common injuries hamsters typically experience from falls include:

• Spinal fractures (often resulting in paralysis)
• Leg fractures (in one or multiple legs)
• Internal bleeding (which can be fatal)
• Neck injuries 
• Fractured rib or another internal organ (happens when the hamster falls on the side)

What To Do After Dropping Your Hamster

You’ve dropped your hamster either by accident or negligence. Either way, the worst has happened and the poor little guy has finally landed on the floor from the previous height. What do you do to ensure comfort while minimizing the risk of significant injury or worse?

Let The Hamster Be

The temptation to pick up and comfort a hamster after an accidental dropping may be high but the best thing you can do is to let him be. Physical contact may worsen any sustained injuries and exacerbate his pain levels.

Monitor Your Hamster For a Few Minutes To Recover 

Most hamsters show signs of recovery a couple of minutes after an accidental fall. The shock from the fall may leave him lying down without movement for a minute or so. But he should get back to his feet and continue going up and down the cage if the incident does not do too much damage.

Unfortunately, there are instances when the fall can be so serious that the hamster suffers significant injuries. Sometimes, it might take anywhere from a couple of hours to 48 hours to spot any differences in the pet rodent’s physical wellbeing.

A few symptoms that can indicate serious injury in hamsters include:

Total paralysis

A fallen hamster suffers total paralysis when no form of movement is possible after the incident. This is often evident immediately after the fall. However, some injured pet rodents may be able to drag their bodies a bit within the first few hours after the fall only to suffer total paralysis later.

Partial Paralysis

Partial paralysis occurs when the hamster is able to make some form of movement but not as unhinged as before. This is often caused by spinal injuries and may force the hamster to pull his forelegs and drag the hind legs behind.

In other instances, the hammy could be seen walking on only 3 legs while dragging the fourth behind (usually one of the hind legs)

Slow Walking  

A hamster’s walking pace can change significantly after a fall. The once quick little rodent may start showing signs of slow walking after the incident. This usually occurs when attempts by the little guy to walk faster result in pain.

Injured Hamster Walks With a Limp

The hamster may also walk with a limp after the injury. This may be due to a painful fracture resulting from the fall. Sometimes, temporary pain from the accident may also force the affected rodent to limp.

Immediate Vet Attention 

Whatever signs your hamster may be exhibiting, taking him to a vet as quickly as possible can be crucial. Veterinarians often bandage the fracture if possible to ensure quick healing and prescribe anti-inflammatory medications to ease the discomfort. 

Antibiotics such as doxycycline or enrofloxacin may also be prescribed to minimize the risk of infections and boost the hamster’s healing.

How Far Can a Hamster Fall Without Getting Hurt?

Most hamsters can survive a fall from 3 inches high if they do not land on their necks, sharp objects, or hard surfaces.

However, there is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Many factors can influence how high a hamster may fall without serious physical or psychological damage. Firstly, the age of the little guy can be vital to their survival chances.

Hamsters over 2 years old may suffer a significant decline in health including weakened bones. This can make them susceptible to serious fractures and injuries from falls that are not even too high.

Size can also have an impact on a hamster’s body after a fall. Often, the larger the size of the little rodent, the higher the impact, and of course, the higher the probability and extent of the injury.

Where a hamster lands can also determine the risks of an injury and the severity if any. For instance, a hamster that falls from 10 inches high but lands on an extremely cushioned surface may walk away unscathed after overcoming the initial shock.

Pregnant hamsters may also suffer severe injuries from heights they would otherwise survive a fall from. This is due to their enlarged body size and of course hormonal changes that make them weaker. Sometimes, the impact of the fall can even kill unborn babies.

Hamster Shock Symptoms 

Shock is often a common reaction in hamsters after an accidental fall. The condition may linger for a couple of seconds before the affected rodent regains consciousness. Here are common signs that your hammy is in shock.

• Limp and dazed appearance 
• Low body temperature
• Shivering 
• Shallow breathing 
• Rapid heartbeat 

Seeing your hamster in shock can be a frightening experience especially if that is your first time. However, regaining your composure as soon as possible may boost the ability to give the injured little guy the necessary attention.

You can provide some first aid by moving the cage to a dark, warm area of the home and stroking his body gently if he doesn’t seem to be in any form of pain. Then you can rush the hamster to a vet’s clinic once he seems stable.

How to Minimize the Impact of Falls on Your Hamster

Accidental falls may be inevitable but how do you ensure a higher chance of survival for the affected hamster? Here are a few measures that can minimize the impact of falls on your beloved little pal.

Layer the Cage With Paper-Based Bedding

Layering the hamster’s cage with a high amount of paper-based bedding can offer potentially life-saving cushioning in the event of a fall. Experts recommend a depth of 10 inches of allergen-free bedding to give the pocket rodent the best chance of survival after a serious fall.

The deep layer of bedding also promotes your hammy’s ability to burrow in his cage, which can improve his moods.

Avoid Picking Up Agitated Hamsters 

An agitated hamster is likely to resist all attempts to pick him up. This can increase the chance of the pet rodent slipping through your hands and falling. If a hamster is scared for his life or nervous for any reason, he’s better off being left alone.

Trying to pick him up can lead to devastating results. This is more common in hamsters that have just been brought home. We recommend allowing some time to build a strong rapport before trying to make physical contact with a new hamster.

Ditch Cages With Floors 

Multi-floor cages can increase the risk of serious injuries from a hamster’s trips and falls. This is especially critical for baby hamsters as the risk of injury can be higher with tiered cages. Any toys that can serve as injury hazards should also be removed from the cage.

Only allow ladders in the cages of hamsters that have mastered the art of climbing. Even with that, large layers of substrates should be piled around the ladder to provide cushioning in the event of an accidental fall.

Keep Kids Away From Hamsters

Kids should never be allowed to pick up hamsters without adult supervision. Always teach children how to handle hamsters safely before allowing them anywhere close to the little guy. This can minimize the risk of injury-causing falls.

Hamster Cages or Tanks Should Be Escape-Proof

Hamster cages should always be fortified to prevent injuries. These creatures could end up falling from the stairs, balcony, or another area of the home when allowed to escape from their cages. The height of the fall could also lead to major injuries and even death.

My Hamster Fell From 4 Feet, Will He Be OK?

Hamsters may survive a 4-feet fall depending on where and how they land. Neck snapping and death may be inevitable if the hammy lands on his neck from that height. Falling on sharp objects from 4 feet high can also crush these pocket rodents to death via significant injuries.

What To Do When Your Hamster is Unconscious After Getting Dropped

Unconsciousness is a common reaction to accidental falls in hamsters. It can be a frightening experience as hamsters in that state may be mistaken for dead. These rodents often become unconscious when they fall on their head or hit their head against an object but the impact is not enough to kill them.

It might take a couple of minutes for the injured hamster to regain consciousness and the best you can do is to leave him alone for a bit. As long as the hamster continues to show signs of breathing, only a matter of time before he snaps out of the unconscious state.

Subtle Signs of Injury in Your Hamster After An Accidental Fall

Hamsters may show several signs of injury after suffering an accidental drop or fall apart from the obvious physical ones such as fractures and bleeding. A few not-so-clear signs to look out for include:

• Loss of appetite 
• Inactivity 
• Picks a spot in the corner of the cage and refuses to move 
• Repels your touch and shows signs of pain when you get close
• Breathing difficulties 

How to Care for An Injured Hamster After a Fall

A vet is your best bet for treating the hammy’s injuries from an accidental drop or fall. However, providing the right care can be critical to the cute buddy’s recovery after arrival from the vet’s clinic. Shall we dive into some best practices to ensure speedy healing for the injured hamster?

• Follow the vet’s instructions including the right dosage of pain medications and antibiotics
• Provide food and water at all times 
• Replace the water bottle with a water dish to ensure easy drinking 
• Get rid of hamster toys such as wheels and tunnels until full recovery
• Avoid picking up the injured hamster for at least a week
• Keep the bandage on the injured spot for as long as the vet recommends
• Avoid rigorous petting which can increase the hammy’s discomfort

Can Hamsters Die From Leg Fractures?

Leg fractures cannot directly kill a hamster. However, they can be a significant source of pain if left untreated. The good news is that most leg injuries heal within a couple of weeks with the right treatment.

Take your hamster to a vet immediately he suffers a leg injury for proper examination of the fracture and treatment. The little fella should be on the mend within a week or two.

Conclusion

Hamsters can survive accidental drops from a few feet away unless they land on extremely hard surfaces or sharp objects such as knives and razors. However, the chances of survival get grimmer from considerable heights if they do not enjoy some cushioning from the landing spot.

Seek a vet’s attention immediately if your hamster suffers a fall and be prepared to follow the professional’s recommendations during the healing period. The hamster should get back on his feet within a few weeks.