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Small pets

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Original poster

Oh god my cat has caught my little hamster

75 replies

ThoseFemalesAreStrongAsHell · 02/06/2018 20:08

My DS got a hamster for his 5th birthday (about 18 months ago) and he's very much part of the family we love him loads.

About 3 months ago my friends cat had kittens but one was pushed out and the mum wouldn't let him feed he was so small so I took him in bottle fed him etc and he's thriving now at 12 weeks but has obviously tried to get the hamster so in the day when I'm not around/night I've kept the hamster in the cage in the bathroom with the bathroom door shut because the cat kept jumping on the cage and I was worried.

Tonight as we were getting ready for bed I left my DD who is 4 in the bathroom to brush her teeth and closed the door behind me, and she'd got him out of the cage and he was running around so as I opened the door to check the cat grabbed him and had him in his mouth and was pawing at him it was really quite traumatic and I would say it went on for about 5 minutes before I could get the cat as he kept running from room to room with him in his mouth.

I have got him back in his cage, theres no obvious bleeding or injuries but he's just not himself. Has not accepted any food or even moved from the tube in his cage. He normally loves carrots so i put some next to him and he's not touched them.

Could this just be shock? Hes not making any noise like squealing or anything, both eyes are open When I wake him and normally hes not very active at this time. My vet isn't open so I'd just like some advice I will take him tomorrow. Thanks.

OP posts:
lljkk · 02/06/2018 20:10

Is he definitely breathing?
They can die of shock... and internal injuries.
My cats killed some of my (childhood) hammies. I wouldn't have cats & rodents in same household again... maybe rats. Rats are very canny about survival.

AEFT · 02/06/2018 20:13

Keep an eye on him, make sure he's warm and kept away from the cat! Hopefully it is just shock and he'll recover soon!

My cat once proudly dumped someone else's pet hamster under the dining table while we were eating. Never found out which neighbour lost their poor hamster Sad

foolonthehill · 02/06/2018 20:14

Sorry, how frightening.

He may be in shock or he may have internal injuries.
I would keep the light off in the bathroom or move him to a calm and dark place in the house. Try to resist keeping looking in at him/poking him/checking him so he has peace to recover if he can.

I hope he is ok.
Best wishes

Floralnomad · 02/06/2018 20:14

He may well just die of shock , I doubt that there is much a vet could do if there aren’t any actual external injuries , I would imagine treatment for internal injuries would probably be too much of an ordeal for an ageing hamster . I’d stick a cloth over the cage so it’s dark and quiet and see what happens .

Original poster
ThoseFemalesAreStrongAsHell · 02/06/2018 20:24

He is definitely breathing Yes, but he has barely moved from the tube in his cage. He isn't very active at this time but he is if I offer carrots and he's just not interestedSad.

When I put him back in the cage I watched him walk/run and there was no limping or anything and as I say there's no obvious sign of injury.

I was so apprehensive about taking the kitten because of the hamster but my friend (who in all honesty is not very responsible) just said she would let him die from starvation or be eaten by his mum as he was so pushed out.

OP posts:
Original poster
ThoseFemalesAreStrongAsHell · 02/06/2018 20:26

He's in the bathroom in the quiet, my DS is gutted as both kids watched the ordeal! Floralnomad do you think there is not much point in the vets? He is getting on a bit now for a hamster.

OP posts:
wibblywobblyfish · 02/06/2018 20:29

My cat mauled the hamster, no obvious injuries but it was very quiet and died overnight. I felt so guilty Sad

HyacinthsBucket70 · 02/06/2018 20:29

I'd take it to the vets to be honest, it could die a slow painful death otherwise. It sounds like it's not got a great chance after such a long ordeal. I think it would be kinder.

veggifriedbreakfast · 02/06/2018 20:32

Oh gosh he definitely sounds like he is in shock, try not to keep disturbing him too much, but definitely the vet in the morning. Poor little guy

SirVixofVixHall · 02/06/2018 20:35

Any cat injury, even minute, can kill as cats carry a heavy bacterial load in their teeth. Hamster needs vet right away.

Original poster
ThoseFemalesAreStrongAsHell · 02/06/2018 20:36

wibblywobblyfish I feel so guilty too. I keep wanting to check but I think I'll make it worse. I'm gutted. The guilt is even worse because I shouted at DD for getting him out of the cage when I was in a panic and she cried. What a bloody night.

OP posts:
LOL7 · 02/06/2018 20:41

It sounds like he is in shock op, be prepared for the worst to happen over night.. but hope for the best!
Also, did you know hamsters hibernate? I only recently discovered that and feel awful for the pet hamsters of my childhood who possibly weren't dead when they were buried :(

Floralnomad · 02/06/2018 21:01

I’d take him to the vet ( we’ve taken goldfish to the vets in the past) but I just don’t think there will be much they can do , except perhaps some pain killers . Hope the poor little thing perks up later .

reallyreallyreallytired · 02/06/2018 21:05

Cats have yucky mouths even a small nip can cause infection. Hammy may need antibiotics

Jinglebells99 · 02/06/2018 21:13

Oh this is so sad. I hope he survives. Can yountehome the cat? I wouldn’t keep a cat with hamsters :(

Donotbequotingmeinbold · 02/06/2018 21:15

If he's in shock taking him to the vet may push him over the edge. I would ring the emergency vet and ask for advice. His best chance may be peace and quiet.

yawning801 · 02/06/2018 21:16

I hope he's OK too OP, let us know how he is in the morning.

Loobyloomicles · 02/06/2018 21:20

Try giving the hamster some sugar water (dissolve sugar in hot water and then add cold water) - I did this with my little hamster years ago when he had fallen and become trapped behind the skirting and seemed to be in shock. It revived him and he was great for another 18 months (although sadly had a paralysed leg for that time so I had to take away his little wheelSad)

Tiddlywinks63 · 02/06/2018 21:20

I imagine that he's probably got internal injuries op, a cat's canine teeth are very sharp 😢 and as reallyreallyreallytired said, their mouths are full of bacteria.
Poor little hamster, so sad.

Loobyloomicles · 02/06/2018 21:21

To add - I did take hamster to the vet the next day.

Hope yours is ok.

Alicatz66 · 02/06/2018 21:35

Eeeeeerrrrmmmmm ... are you surprised he's not himself !!!!!! ...
he's been hauled around in the cats mouth .. would you fancy a carrot after that ?
I adore cats .. I've always had them .. but please don't get anymore little furries while you have a cat ...it's mean keeping them in cages anyway

ForgivenessIsDivine · 02/06/2018 21:44

Sounds really traumatic for everyone. Hugs to everyone.. xx

derekthe1adyhamster · 02/06/2018 21:47

Our cat managed to get our Syrian a couple of times with no ill effect.
Don't mention the dwarf Russian hamster though....

susej · 02/06/2018 21:47

Aw OP this is so sad! Keep him nice and snug and hope for the best. Don’t beat yourself up about yelling at DD either, it’s a stressful situation.

YearOfYouRemember · 02/06/2018 21:51

There's no reason hamsters and cats can't live together. It's obvious you just need to keep them apart. Four years is old enough to know to NOT leave a cage open.