Does your hamster sleep all day and night, eating less, and showing other signs of slowing down in old age? Has he lost his sight or exhibiting signs of significant pain? This could be evidence that the end is near for your amazing little buddy.
It is no secret that hamsters have relatively shorter lives compared to larger pets. Death draws closer with each day once a hammy reaches 2 years old. The big dilemma becomes whether to put your hammy down humanely or let him die naturally.
Should I let my hamster die naturally? Allowing your hamster to die naturally while surrounding him with love at the final stages should always be the first option. Consider vet-induced humane euthanasia only if your hamster is in significant pain that interferes with his quality of daily life.
Hamsters are social animals that can become a valuable addition to any household. Despite their small size, they can quickly warm their way into our hearts and become like a family member within a short period.
There are no illusions about their short lifespans but many of us suffer debilitating grief when our hamster is in his final moments. Seeing your once physically active and happy hammy deteriorating right under your nose can be heartbreaking.
Then the dilemma of whether to allow your hamster to die naturally or stage a humane intervention becomes another source of anxiety.
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Should I Let My Hamster Die Naturally?
The decisions you have to make at the final stages of a hamster’s life can be the most difficult part of raising these lovely little creatures. Unfortunately, there’s no straight answer as this can be a largely personal decision.
Whether to allow your hamster to die peacefully or consider euthanasia will depend on the physical state of your little buddy towards the end of his life. Constant monitoring of an elderly hamster’s physical condition can provide the necessary clues to make the right decision.
How To Prolong The Lifespan of Your Hamster
Several factors can determine how long a hamster lives. Syrian hamsters have an average lifespan of 2-3 years while smaller breeds like Campbell’s Dwarfs may live up to 2 years.
You may have little control over the genetic makeup of a particular breed but providing exceptional care for your hammy can extend his life considerably. Providing mediocre attention may lead to your hamster passing away much earlier than the average timeframe for his specific breed.
Feeding your hamster the right proportions of nutrients can be a great start. It can be the key to achieving proper physical development and promoting an impenetrable immune system that wards off several diseases and infections.
Providing proper housing can also be critical. Hamsters should be placed in cages or tanks with ample floor space to facilitate unrestricted movements and physical exercises. Always place hamsters in separate cages to prevent physical fights that may result in injuries.
Additionally, ensure that your hamster’s cage is always clean with temperatures ranging from 65-75F to guarantee comfort regardless of prevailing weather conditions.
Routine veterinary visits can also be an essential component of providing proper care for your hamster. The result is early detection and treatment of existing infections and diseases to prevent bigger problems down the line.
Signs Your Hamster is Dying of Old Age
The average hamster has a lifespan of 2-3 years. Once these tiny rodents reach their second birthday, they’re considered to be aged. Their quality of life only takes a downturn from there so be prepared for the inevitable. Here are the most common signs that your hamster is dying of old age:
- Lethargy
- Eye discoloration
- Weight loss
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss and bald patches
- Skin and hair changes
- Dehydration
- Bloody feces and urine
- Vision problems
- Seizures
- Foul smell
Spotting a couple of the signs above may be confirmation that the end is near. Unfortunately, not much can be done for an elderly hamster at this point apart from swarming him with love and care.
The focus should be on making life as comfortable as possible during the latter stages. You can always take him to a vet for treatments but some hamsters may feel even more stressed after such visits.
When To Let Your Hamster Die Naturally
No one expects an elderly hamster to have the same appetite or energy levels as a healthy adult in his prime. Dying hamsters naturally slow down at this point in their lives and begin to show signs of extreme fatigue.
Many hamsters largely sleep and wake up once in a while to eat a bit of food at the tail end of their lives. They typically go back to sleep with little to no physical movements. These elderly hamsters may also lose a bit of weight but maintain their hair texture without showing obvious suffering from pain.
If this describes your hamster’s current state, allowing him to die naturally could be the best move. This is especially true if your hamster has no known tumors, cancer, or underlying health conditions that may cause discomfort.
Over time, his breaths per minute will decline to about 3-4 and then gradually reduce further to about 1 per minute until it hits zero. The ailing hamster should pass away peacefully in his bed without problems.
Allowing these cute rodents to die peacefully in a familiar environment can be a more humane way to spend their last few moments. Surrounding a dying hamster with his favorite toys and treats even as he draws his last breath can be a genuine source of comfort.
Comforting a Dying Hamster
Once you decide to let your ailing hamster die peacefully, the focus should be on providing as much comfort as possible. Overcoming your grief to be the best hamster parent can be difficult during such periods but what choice do you have?
Here are 5 ways to comfort a dying hamster.
1. Create a Peaceful Environment For The Dying Hamster
Hamsters appreciate ultra-peaceful environments during their last moments since they spend almost every minute sleeping. It is not uncommon for dying hamsters to sleep for up to 24 hours straight and only take a few minutes break to eat or drink water.
Noise sources close to the hamster’s cage such as TVs, radios, and computers should be switched off because these pocket rodents have exceptional hearing. If possible, other animals including dogs and cats should be prevented from coming close as you never know when a dog may bark or howl.
Switch off any lights in the room where the hamster’s cage is situated and those in adjacent rooms as well. Hamsters love low-light conditions thanks to their nocturnal tendencies so try to create such environments for them even during the daytime especially as they approach death.
2. Comfy Hamster Cage or Tank Temperature
Can you imagine a dying hamster shivering from exposure to cold drafts? Not only will this spike up stress and anxiety levels but could potentially speed up his death. Making sure your hamster’s cage temperature is optimal is vital to ensuring comfort during those last days.
Hamsters enjoy environments with temperatures ranging from 65-75F. Additionally, provide the right bedding depth to allow burrowing in those last moments, especially in the middle of cold weather. Also, make sure the cage is not left exposed to drafts during winter and turn on the heating when necessary.
During the summer, turning on the fan or air conditioner can provide relief for a dying hamster. Move the cage away from direct sunlight and offer cold treats if possible. A hamster lying flat on his tummy during those last moments could be a clue that the cage or tank temperature is excessively hot.
3. Spend More Time Together
Your hamster may be quickly approaching his last days but that does not mean you cannot spend some time together. Providing some company during those gloomy last moments can be comforting for a hamster you have built a strong bond with.
If your hammy stays awake for a bit, this may be a great time to provide some petting while whispering to him. The sound of your voice can be comforting for the little buddy during those difficult moments.
Some hamsters may prefer solitude during their dying moments. Do not hesitate to leave yours alone if he shows the slightest signs of repulsion to your physical touch or voice.
4. Provide His Favorite Foods
Sick elderly pets often lose their appetite on the cusp of death and hammies are no different. If your beloved hamster is able to eat some food, providing his favorites at this point can be a great source of comfort.
Most hamsters appreciate healthy treats such as fruits and veggies even if they may not be able to consume as much as they’d like. Avoid plowing them with unhealthy foods to prevent deterioration of existing conditions such as diabetes.
5. Provide Painkillers
Pain medication may be lifesaving for hamsters during those sad last moments. Your vet should provide pain killers that can ease the little guy’s symptoms and provide some comfort. Speak to a vet immediately If you suspect that your hamster is in pain.
When To Consider Euthanizing Your Hamster
Is your hamster suffering from horrible agony that seems unbearable? Is he showing signs of debilitating convulsions or other forms of discomfort? The pain can get so bad that the hamster may be unable to eat, sleep or move.
The sight of your hamster squealing and screaming in constant suffering can be heartbreaking. This is often the turning point where it clicks that perhaps putting him to sleep may be the best way forward.
Euthanizing your pet hamster should always be a last resort to provide relief from significant pain at the end of his life. If you decide to go down that route, a vet may offer the most humane way to put down your pet hamster.
This is a decision that should never taken lightly. But once you decide euthanasia is the best way to put your hamster out of his misery, it should be done as soon as possible. In the meantime, spend as much time with your hamster before the appointed date arrives.
If there are other hamsters in your home, bringing them along for the trip to the vet can be a great option. This guarantees that while your hamster may spend his last moments in a foreign environment, at least he gets to enjoy the company of a few familiar faces.
Bringing the complementary hamsters along should also make the return trip back home easier for everyone as sadness and grief can make the journey even more difficult.
Conclusion
Deciding whether to let your elderly hamster die naturally or opt for euthanasia can be tough. After raising and bonding with your beloved hamster for a couple of years, seeing him go can be extremely heartbreaking whichever way it happens.
Unless your hamster is squealing in constant pain that interferes with his ability to eat, sleep, or live a normal life, you should probably let him die naturally. However, if the pain seems too much for him to handle, euthanasia by a vet may be a logical option.
It is up to you to decide the best solution for your ailing hamster.