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Having a pet hamster can bring great joy and companionship to our lives. These tiny creatures are known for their playful nature and constant movement. However, there may come a time when you notice that your hamster is not moving as much as usual or appears sluggish. This can be concerning and leave you wondering how to best address the situation. In this guide, we will explore the various reasons why a hamster may not be moving and provide helpful tips on how to deal with this issue. By understanding the potential causes and implementing the right strategies, you can ensure the well-being and happiness of your furry friend.
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
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What should you do when you see your hamster lying motionless? What could be the cause? Hamsters occasionally enter a state of hibernation, when their heart rate and breathing rate slow down and they fall into a deep sleep. It can be difficult to tell if a hamster is hibernating or dead. If you see your hamster in this state, do the following.
Steps
Assess the ability of hamsters to hibernate
- On the other hand, if the hamster appeared to be perfectly healthy before and the immobility occurs suddenly, it is probably hibernating, although the possibility is not ruled out that it is dead.
- Think about whether your hamster gets 8-12 hours of sunlight a day and plenty of food. Food shortages combined with low temperatures and short daylight can trigger hibernation. [4] X British Hamster Association Research Source . Hibernation in Syrian Hamsters.
Identify a hibernating hamster
- Watch your hamster for longer than 2 minutes, because in a split second you can miss a breath. If you only observe for exactly 2 minutes, you may think that the hamster is dead.
- Hamsters’ heartbeats can be difficult to find because they are so tiny. To do this, place the index finger and thumb of one hand on the side of the hamster’s body, behind its elbow. Gently press in with as much force as you would to keep the hamster from running, but without hurting it. Wait patiently and feel the heartbeat beneath your fingertips.
Wake the hamster from hibernation
- If the hamster does not wake up, then there will be more obvious signs that it is dead, such as stiffening and a foul odor. A hibernating hamster will not stink.
- Experts recommend choosing this method to wake a hamster, as it is more like a natural awakening process and puts less strain on a hamster’s blood glucose stores than the “quick warm up” method.
- Remember to provide plenty of food and water for the hamster when it wakes up.
- Be sure to put your hamster in a safe box, because if you just leave it in a cardboard box, it can bite the box and escape when it wakes up!
- Another way is to place the hamster’s cage over a hot water bottle so that the heat radiates up from the bottom of the cage.
- Make sure your hamster has food and water, as it will use up precious energy to wake up and needs to be replenished quickly, or your hamster could suffer liver damage.
Advice
- Hamster breeders have always focused on preventing hamsters from going into hibernation. Their advice is to keep the room temperature at 20-21°C year-round, provide 12-14 hours of light per day (light can be used) and plenty of food. When living in this condition, the hamster will feel no need to hibernate and will not hibernate. [7] X Handbook of Rodent and Rabbit Medicine Research Resources . Laber-Laird & Flecknell. Publisher. Pergamon
This article was co-written by Pippa Elliott, MRCVS. Elliott is a veterinarian with more than thirty years of experience in veterinary surgery and pet treatment. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary surgeon. She has worked at a veterinary clinic in her hometown for more than 20 years.
This article has been viewed 30,510 times.
What should you do when you see your hamster lying motionless? What could be the cause? Hamsters occasionally enter a state of hibernation, when their heart rate and breathing rate slow down and they fall into a deep sleep. It can be difficult to tell if a hamster is hibernating or dead. If you see your hamster in this state, do the following.
In conclusion, it can be alarming when a hamster does not move, but it is important to remain calm and handle the situation appropriately. By first checking for signs of life, such as breathing and a heartbeat, one can determine if the hamster is truly unresponsive. If there are no signs of life, it may be necessary to seek veterinary assistance immediately. On the other hand, if the hamster is alive but not moving, potential causes such as illness, injury, stress, or a change in environment should be considered. Creating a comfortable and stress-free environment, observing the hamster for any changes or symptoms, and providing a balanced diet and exercise can aid in promoting its overall well-being. Consulting a veterinarian is always advisable in such situations. Remember that every hamster is unique, and it may take time and patience to identify and address the underlying issue. By being attentive and responsive to your hamster’s needs, you can help ensure its health and happiness.
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