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Old 05-03-2020, 08:23 AM   #1
Pockadilly760
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: May 2020
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Unhappy Hamster ate wild baby animal

So while I was out at the grocery store my mother in law found a baby animal outside our house, it was just born it still had a small umbilical cord. She thought that my hamster could somehow take care of it, as you could imagine she naturally ate the wild baby animal. I don't know if it was a baby squirrel or a mole or groundhog, I just dont know. So I sanitized her cage and gave her a bath. I'm worried that A) she's going to get a disease or get ill from eating it and B) that she could get a disease that could pass on to someone in my family if she were to say bite someone. Is this irrational? Should I have her quarantined for awhile? I'm not sure what to do.
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Old 05-03-2020, 09:53 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Hamster ate wild baby animal

Hi and welcome to HC!

I hope that you don't mind me saying so but this is the most bizarre post i've ever come across.

a) why would anyone give a pet hamster a newborn wild
animal?

b) why did you give your hamster a bath?

Assuming this post is a genuine querie, my instinct tells me not to worry because a newborn animal wouldn't have been exposed to diseases yet and hamsters aren't vegetarians so their digestive systems would be able to deal with live food.

Please keep in mind that this is only an opinion.
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Old 05-03-2020, 10:14 AM   #3
Vierville
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Default Re: Hamster ate wild baby animal

This is an awful thing to have happen. I don't mean to be judgemental but it was extremely unwise to give a newborn baby animal to a hamster to look after.

Hamsters, despite being very cute and lovable to their humans, are actually very aggressive in their behaviour towards other animals and should pretty much always be kept alone.

Also, do not ever bath or wash a hamster. It is extremely bad for them. Hamsters don't need to be bathed and it strips their coat of the natural oils that they need on their fur, it can irritate their skin and make them ill.

A hamster should have access to a sand bath in their cage which consists of a shallow dish or bowl filled with clean hamster or chinchilla bathing sand or baked playpen sand. They will roll aroubd in their sand bath which helps to absorb any excess skin oils without stripping it completely.

If you ever find a baby animal and you are completely certain that its parents are not around at all and are not coming back or if it is in immediate danger from a dog or cat or ants etc then the first priority is to keep it warm by holding it in a soft towel close to your body. Hydration is the second priority but this varies with species so while keeping it warm try to contact an animal rescue organisation.

I don't think that you need to worry about your hamster suffering any ill effects from eating whatever it was that she ate. Keep an eye on her for any unusual behaviour but I'm sure she will be ok
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Old 05-03-2020, 10:17 AM   #4
Pockadilly760
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Default Re: Hamster ate wild baby animal

So I gave her a bath because not to sound gross but, she had blood on her and it just seemed unsanitary to leave her like that. Second, it was not me who did this, it was my mother in law, I knew that it was a terrible idea but I wasn't around when it occured.
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Old 05-03-2020, 11:06 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hamster ate wild baby animal

Oh dear. I can see your MIL might have thought the hamster would "adopt" the baby animal and look after it but unfortunately it doesn't work like that with hamsters. And yes they would see it as food. I am sure your hamster will be fine - just keep an eye on her. I'm not sure what kind of bath you gave her, but as the others say, they shouldn't get wet - they can actually die if they get soaked. In future "wiping" her down with a just damp cloth might be better (although hopefully there won't be a need!). Any other cleaning they can do themselves - they are expert groomers and are very clean little things as a result.

Providing she seems well and is acting normal I wouldn't worry. Make sure she has plenty of water, as usual.
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Old 05-03-2020, 12:56 PM   #6
souffle
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Default Re: Hamster ate wild baby animal

I think she should be OK. Hamsters in the wild will take some protein rich food like insects or carrion and a female hamster who feels threatened will cull and eat a whole litter. They can suffer some digestive upset after this so feed only a dry mix for now till you are sure her tummy is settled. Keep a watch on her for weight loss etc in case the small creature had any parasites like worms. She would need treatment from the vets if she did lose weight or condition but hopefully she will be just fine.
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