AIBU to ask for help re hamster....

[MollysMummy2010]

My daughter, by accident, kicked her hamster in its ball into the wall. It didn't move for a minute. We put it back in it's cage and it got up and went to its favourite spot. I am scared now it might die. I can't check it as cage is in daughters room.
It is our first hamster and I don't know how fragile they are? Do I take it to a vet tomorrow if it is alive? I feel horrible that it might be suffering but genuinely don't know what to do.
It has been running round in the ball itself and ramming into walls itself so not sure if this is different but my daughter is in pieces as she kicked the ball.

“Russian” dwarf hamsters in pet shops are actually hybrids of two other breeds of hamster (Campbell’s and Winter White) and are prone to health problems and behavioural issues such as biting. Hamsters in pet shops are usually coming from pretty horrendous breeding mills.

I agree with the others that the bath is a better bet than the ball. The poor thing would’ve had a shock, especially as things are still pretty new, but I’m sure she will be fine.

The guy in the pet shop sold me the ball as we also have a cat

But obviously you whiny let the cat into the room where the hamster’s cage is? Also if the cage is big enough you won’t need the ball as your hamster will have enough space to run around in the cage.

Also dwarf hamsters aren’t solitary - they need company so you really should have two.

Hopefully just a freeze in shock, a “whoaa what just happened?!” moment! A physical injury is very unlikely with the way they throw themselves around their wheels, just keep an eye out for stress illness such as wet tail. Though the dwarves aren’t as much at risk of that as Syrians.
Generally they do like to have a friend, but they’d really need to be together from very little to get along. You couldn’t just introduce a new one and expect it to work. We had two roborovskis and they had an agreement - their own beds in opposite corners, we had two wheels in there because they’d bicker over one, haha. When one died the other did get along just fine as a solitary hamster though, just make sure there’s plenty of enrichment going on.

If you put hammie in the bath for a workout, do be careful of the plughole. The edges can be sharp so best to put the plug in. I never had a problem until we moved and I heard screaming, turned round to find little bloody footprints in the bath where she had cut her tiny foot. I felt very guilty.

Also dwarf hamsters aren’t solitary - they need company so you really should have two.

This is what pet shops often say, but it’s not actually true.

Pet shop told me that it couldn't live with another hamster. It was alive this morning. Will check it over properly when we get home from school/work.

They really don't need to live in pairs and when they do live together they often end up having to be separated for fighting. They're perfectly happy living alone.

Hope your hamster is ok.
We lost my dd’s one the day before New Year’s Eve .
He was about 3 and a half .
Very unexpected and poor dd was heartbroken , still is .
Won’t be getting another one though !

I am not looking forward to checking when we get home! But hopefully if it was moving this morning it will be OK.....

I had roborovski hamsters once - even smaller than most russian dwarves. I didn't feel comfortable letting them roam free anywhere as they were so small and flighty. Instead I had a big plastic box filled with some toys and cage stuff that I would let them run in for a bit. I'd put bird seed (trill?) on my palm to encourage them to run onto my hand. They did that but never became super tame. I shouldn't have got them from a pet shop probably. I can't imagine they would've enjoyed a ball.

Years before that I had syrian hamsters and for one we did have a room where everything dangerous/holey was blocked off and she loved having the runaround of the room. But she was big and easy to handle.

Syrians are more amiable than most dwarves, in my experience anyway, and for a child in particular I'd always choose a Syrian over a dwarf.

How is hammy, OP?

I had a Syrian hamster as a child. Horrible, bitey creature.

Anyway, hamster was 2 and one night, my Dad found it on its back, legs akimbo and clearly not well. He proceeded to give it mouth to mouth. Little bugger lived for another year.

Hardy little things, hamsters. Hope yours has pulled through OP

@Hocik Hammy is alive and kicking!! Came home and she was awake shortly after. Gave her some red pepper we she as she didn't seem to have eaten much over night. Gave her cage a small clean and refreshed food and water and then given her some peace for tonight.
Thank you all for your help, advice and kindness - very much appreciated.
And my daughter has been very careful tonight.....

@Hoik - sorry I obviously can't read or spell....

More handling will make hammie tamer. I had loads as a child.

Our hamster once climbed all the way up the floor length curtains and then fell down onto the wooden floor. We were really worried but she gave herself a shake and carried on. Did check her teeth etc But she was fine - they are tough!

We have a Russian Dwarf (from Pets at Home) and he's 5 months old.

Super tame!

He has never, ever bitten. Handled daily by the children - often several children taking turns. One of his favourite playtime is to climb over the children's body as they sit it lie down. Hamster isn't fast so if he strays out of reach it's easy to bring him back.

His cage is massive aswel. I've converted an old sideboard to make it a multi-level cage. So he gets plenty of exercise, but also seems to like the ball.

Yay, I'm glad the hamster - and your daughter - are ok