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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for hamster advice?

82 replies

Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 19:55

Fuck I think I’ve killed it although I’m not sure how...
we got it yesterday, I’ve had hamsters growing up and had no issues. We got him from pets at home. He seemed lively enough and friendly in the pet shop.
We got him home and he ran round his cage for a bit and then went to bed... and didn’t get back up. They said to leave him alone but I’ve just checked on him as I was worried and he’s cold and won’t come round properly? Is that it? Have I killed him after 24 hours? He’s really cold. That’s what’s worrying me. Yesterday when they woke him up so we could buy him he came round really quickly and was running around but he won’t wake up properly and it’s 8pm so you’d think he’d be coming round a bit. I don’t think he’s eaten or had anything to drink either since we had him.

OP posts:
BBBear · 10/06/2019 22:03

It took about a month before DDs PaH hamster became lively - we certainly didn’t see much of him for the first couple of weeks. Think it was a combination of being in a new place and being very young.

All the advice is to let them get used to their surroundings, so make sure he can hear you talk but just leave him to get used to you.

thesnapandfartisinfallible · 10/06/2019 22:04

Make a hot water bottle and put it under the cage where his bed is, just make sure you prop the other end on something too so that the tilt doesn't stop his water bottle working. He sounds like he is possibly going into hibernation. They do sometimes do that due to stress, just keep him warm and offer something like cucumber or even baby food from a jar, one of my hamsters was very sick and the only thing that could tempt him to eat was Sunday Dinner cow and gate baby food. Try not to disturb him but do wake him once a day in the evening to try and get some water and food into him.

Proseccoinamug · 10/06/2019 22:08

Hay isn’t ideal for hamster bedding. It can scratch or puncture the lining of their cheeks.

Cut up a couple of j cloths or strips of kitchen roll will be ok.

Hot water bottle wrapped in towel next to cage. Warm him up, leave him be, let him acclimatise.

Proseccoinamug · 10/06/2019 22:08

Also 8pm is early for a Hammy.

AshQ · 10/06/2019 22:11

This happened to mine and putting the cage near the heater woke him up by morning.

avacadooo · 10/06/2019 22:16

Get a tiny bit of strawberry or something fresh so you can see if it disappears but ideally strawberry because they love it and will demolish it, Chuck more bedding in and turn the light of it the room and make sure he's in quiet because for the first 48 hours they need to be left in peace.
If he's got wet tail his bum will be soaking wet.

Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 22:17

No he hasn’t got wet tail I’m fairly sure.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 22:18

He’s dry. Or he was when I looked an hour or so ago. I’m leaving him alone now. Will put some strawberry in for him. Wasn’t sure because pet shop lady said just give him the pet food because it could cause an upset stomach? But got to be worth a go.

OP posts:
ThomasRichard · 10/06/2019 22:21

Poor hamster. If you’re very concerned then take him to the emergency vet. There will be one open.

DifficultSituation19 · 10/06/2019 22:22

Pets at home hamsters are notorious for snuffing it prematurely unfortunately. They get them from hamster mills and are often inbred or just generally unhealthy. So if the worst happens it’s probably not anything you’ve done. They will generally replace it for you if it dies very soon after you buy it.

Join the Hamsters U.K. Facebook group, there’s lots of very knowledgable people on there who can give you some advice.

Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 22:26

If we get another one I’m not getting it from pets at home. I will go to the local pet shop instead. I only didn’t because they didn’t have any but I will just wait for some to come in.
This one really doesn’t look too good

OP posts:
tastylancs · 10/06/2019 22:27

Our hamster went into hibernation a couple of months ago. He was breathing very slowly, couldn't wake him up and I told DD I thought he was dying. Then considered hibernation and warmed him in my hands. After ten to fifteen mins he came round and was absolutely fine.

He'd been in my daughters room which is perfectly warm but she'd run out of his normal fluffy bedding and just put shavings in there.

Yours really sounds like he might need warming up. Fingers crossed.

Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 22:30

He’s by the radiator and has been for a while but no signs.
What’s worrying me is his eyes are half open. That doesn’t seem good

OP posts:
DifficultSituation19 · 10/06/2019 22:34

Have a look at rescues if this one doesn’t make it OP, there’s so many hamsters out there living a miserable existence in tiny little cages with no interaction or enrichment. Or find a local reputable breeder if you want a baby one.

Pets at home are generally a bit crap when it comes to hamsters. Their ‘extra large’ hamster cage doesn’t meet the recommended minimum size, which is 80x50cm. And most of their cages fall waaaay below this. They also don’t actually sell wheels that meet the recommended minimum size of 28cm. Smaller wheels can cause spinal damage as the hammy has to arch their back to run on it. If you haven’t already got a big wheel, look online for either the wooden or plastic Trixie 28cm wheel.

Hope the little chap pulls through.

recrudescence · 10/06/2019 22:41

I think you’ve done all you can for now. Leave him alone until morning. Fingers crossed for a good outcome.

Peachsummer · 10/06/2019 22:45

Vet? Cooking him on a radiator or hot water bottle will just make him worse imo.

tastylancs · 10/06/2019 22:47

Oh dear, no, eyes half open doesn't sound good. Poor little thing.

Cinderella812 · 10/06/2019 23:00

An animal in your care is potentially dying, and you aren't seeking medical attention?
I'm appalled.
Please do the decent thing.
You've brought this creature into your life - his life and well-being is your responsibility. Take him to a vet.

Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 23:03

Take him to a vet? What now?
I will take him in the morning if he’s still alive. I don’t think a vet is going to do anything for him to be honest. He’s warm and inside his little house. I highly doubt a vet does a house call for a hamster. Our local vets won’t even see hamsters - you have to take them into the city centre one.

He’s next to the radiator not being cooked. I’m just trying to warm him a little.

OP posts:
Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 23:04

Yes he has a flying saucer wheel - not an upright one. Not that’s he’s used it anyway. He has a good sized two level cage.

OP posts:
Gth1234 · 10/06/2019 23:06

get him a few tubes he can fill with straw. That might keep him warm. Then you won't see him.

Get another one if he does expire. It's not your fault.

Original poster
Ivekilledthehamster · 10/06/2019 23:11

Thanks Gth. I really hope not. I don’t see how we can have caused the poor thing to die in only just over 24 hours. It’s got no outward signs of illness or injury - no wet tail.
Can they just die of stress from the move? I don’t know. The ones I had as a kid always seemed pretty hardy.

OP posts:
Frazzled2207 · 10/06/2019 23:45

No advice but hoping he recovers

EmeraldShamrock · 10/06/2019 23:49

Similar happened with our new hamster a few weeks after we got her, I say her after sleeping for 24 hours she had 8 babies, she must have had a quickie before we bought her.

SickOfBeingFat · 10/06/2019 23:56

Hope he makes it