July 4, 2024, 4:19 am | Read time: 5 minutes
Living for an average of two years, hamsters have a very short life expectancy. Despite receiving the best care, it is not uncommon to find a pet hamster lying dead in its cage. What could be the possible reasons for this?
The hamster has a small body with a fast metabolism. Its heart beats 200 to 500 times per minute. By comparison, the heart rate of a healthy human is 60 to 80 beats per minute. Its high heart rate causes its organs to wear out more quickly, which means it is aging faster. However, there are slight differences between the various hamster species. The Roborovski dwarf hamster usually only lives for one or two years; the Syrian hamster lives for around two to three years; and the Chinese striped hamster can live between two and four years. If the hamster dies suddenly and earlier than expected, several reasons could be the cause.
Overview
How do I know if my hamster is really dead?
Sometimes it is not so easy to tell whether a hamster is dead or sleeping. In the wild, various hamster species hibernate when temperatures drop. When kept as pets, this behavior is rather rare. However, some species become too cold at temperatures as low as 18 degrees Celsius, causing their breathing and heartbeat to slow down. Golden hamsters, in particular, are very sensitive to the cold and drafts.
Unlike a dead hamster, a sleeping hamster is still breathing. If you look closely, you will see that its small chest rises and falls. In addition, hamsters normally respond to gentle touch during hibernation and can be woken up by a gradual increase in room temperature. If the hamster has died suddenly, it will no longer show any vital signs – it will no longer breathe, and its body will have become cold and stiff.
Potential reasons for a hamster dying in its cage
The sudden death of a hamster can be caused by environmental factors as well as incorrect care. For example, unsuitable plastic objects are being used within the cage. The hamster could chew on these, ingesting small, sharp pieces of plastic that perforate the intestines, leading to its death.
If the hamster is exposed to constant cold, drafts, or severe stress, its immune system can weaken, making it more susceptible to infections. Hamsters are also prey animals that are adept at hiding illnesses. As a result, it can often be difficult for their owners to recognize the first signs of ill health. For this reason, it is important to carry out regular health checks on them and monitor their weight.
Initially, owners can only speculate on the cause of why their hamster suddenly dies. The exact answer can only come from a vet who performs a necropsy. This involves cutting open the dead hamster and examining it to determine if there are any injuries or organ damages. However, a necropsy does not always provide an explanation for a sudden hamster death.
Genetics might play a role
Another factor that only a few hamster owners think about is the genetics of the pet. We know that dogs and cats are often bred en masse under the worst conditions. This is being done to sell them cheaply on the black market, and this also happens with hamsters. Many hamsters sold in pet stores come from breeding farms. There, the hamsters are often kept together in very small cages, which often leads to cannibalism among them.
According to investigations by the animal rights organization Peta, small pet shops as well as large chains and DIY stores obtain small pets, such as hamsters, from horrific breeding facilities in the Czech Republic, Germany, and the Netherlands via intermediary wholesalers.
These hamsters usually have nutritional deficiencies and are often smaller than hamsters from good breeding farms. Moreover, breeding farms often neglect the genetic background of the parents, increasing the risk that neurological diseases or a predisposition to develop tumors in old age will be genetically transmitted to the offspring. These genetic defects are not always visible.
What diseases can hamsters get?
The death of a hamster does not always come as a surprise. Sometimes the hamster’s death can be foreseen, even if the owner doesn’t necessarily notice the signs. If the hamster appears apathetic, does not eat or drink as usual, and/or no longer comes out of its house, this may indicate that it is close to death. If the hamster is already quite old, its time may just have come.
However, it is also possible that the hamster has suffered from an undetected illness that has ultimately led to the end of its life. Hamsters are susceptible to respiratory infections, which can quickly develop into life-threatening pneumonia. But other infections can also lead to a quick death.
Hamsters can also develop serious heart problems, diabetes, and even cancer. Unfavorable housing conditions, a poor diet, and stress can increase the risk of developing such diseases and shorten their life expectancy.
The hamster suddenly dies – what should I to do now?
It is legally permitted to dispose of deceased small animals like hamsters with household waste. But anyone who loves their hamster will probably find this a heartless form of disposal. It is more respectful to hand the dead body over to the vet or to bury the deceased hamster in the garden or in a pet cemetery.
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