Hammy passed away, why? Please help me understand.

gilhc002 · 09-24-2017, 06:50 AM

Hi friends,

This is probably a tough one to read and going to be tough to write, but I really feel like I need some answers and help in this situation.

My beautiful Hamster Dimble passed away last night and I think it may be my fault. I need to understand the situation more, I would really really appreciate any help you can offer.

This is some details on dimble and his living conditions for conext - He was a russian hybrid, about 15 months old. I adopted him from another owner but he was originally from a pets at home (I've had him since january). He was in a ikea billy converted cage with no lid so plenty of air (used aquarium grade silicone). He had care fresh and toilet paper for the floor/bedding, plenty of fresh bedding, hiding places and dens. He has never had the wool bedding since I got him 6 months ago, and I have only ever fed him things that I've double checked on this website - I was so so careful with what he got. He ate Burgess Dwarf hamster mix supplemented with broccoli and other safe greens, monkey nuts once or twice a fortnight and occasional 2 cm bits greenies dog treats.

The situation of last night - he'd been staying with friends for a week whilst we had work done on our house. Each day they were checking his wheel and sandpit were free of stuff and working, and checking his water, as well as feeding him his mix. I used to feed a full tablespoon of feed each day but he used to have huge hoards of food in his nest all the time, so I lowered it to approx 1-2 teaspoons. The friends weren't supplementing with greens, just dry mix. I got a call this morning to say Dimble had passed away and rushed to go get him. Upon checking his cage I found there wasn't one seed or piece of food stored anywhere - I think he may have starved whilst away from the house, because there wasn't enough feed without the veg and monkey nuts. Out friend said he could hear him running around on his wheel and around his cage all night as normal, so was really shocked to see him dead in the morning. He had water and I took him to the vets 2 weeks ago so his claws and teeth weren't too long, and the vet said he was healthy then. We hadn't noticed any change in behaviour or condition in this time, and as far as I noticed he didn't seem underweight but I had buried him before we realised his food stores were missing. It's probably been 1 month since lowering his food levels, and 2 weeks since I last remember checking if he had food stores (I spot clean apart from once a month).

I'm sorry for writing so much, but I loved that boy so so much. Since my childhood hamster died from choking on wool bedding, I was so careful this time, and tried to look at every eventuality. The fact that Dimble died so young and that it was likely my fault for underfeeding is breaking my heart into bits. I just need to understand so I can make sure nothing like this ever happens again.

Any help at all is so well appreciated. Thank you.

Pebbles82 · 09-24-2017, 08:11 AM

I am so sorry for the loss of your hammy. He sounds well cared for and healthy. 15 months is fairly old for a hamster so that may have been a factor. It does sound like possibly your friends had been cleaning him out maybe a bit too much if he had no food hoard when you checked. Even so, if he had been given hamster mix daily that should have been plenty for him. The stress of a change of environment may also have contributed as he wasn't young any more, but it does sound, sadly like not enough food was given if you couldn't find any in his cage - unless your friends had cleaned the cage out before you checked it? It might give you some peace of mind to know if they had just cleaned the cage out (explaining why no food was found).

Your little boy is playing free over the rainbow bridge now and free from any suffering. But so hard it should happen when you weren't there xxx

Ruth Edwards · 09-24-2017, 05:13 PM

So sad to read your account of Dimbles passing. It sounds like you are a very caring pet owner and you're clearly feeling miserable now. Most of us posting on HC have been laid low by the death of a hamster at some time, whether we see the little one ageing and it's expected, or if it's unexpected it makes us feel low and wonder if we should have done more. Have a look at some of the Memorials forum.
I hope you feel better soon, and maybe have another hammy one day as there are lots waiting for a home with someone caring like you.

Pebbles82 · 09-25-2017, 01:38 AM

I just wanted to add, that it is a normal grief reaction to feel guilt after the passing of a pet. You have done nothing wrong, it is just very sad, particularly as he was not in your home at the time.

I found this article really helped me when our last Syrian died. It helps you understand all the feelings, especially when there are unanswered questions. Hope it helps xxx

Pet Loss Help - Mourning the Life of Best Friend

Thin Lizzy · 09-25-2017, 06:02 AM

Firstly, I'm so sorry for your loss of Dimble, my heart goes out to you.
I agree with Serendipity and Ruth.
I felt choked up reading your post and felt the love you had for your little one. As owners we do feel guilty when they die, its part of the grieving. You feel to blame because you weren't there when he died. Please don't blame yourself, you adopted him and gave him so much love and care.
Reading Pet Loss Help and looking at some of the memorial threads will help.
The forum is great for giving support when we're at our lowest, we don't judge, we understand and advise when needed.
Big Hugs to you xxx