Are you sitting and wondering “Why Do My Hamsters Keep Dying?”
This is an unsettling question but it’s one that does bother people with multiple hamster deaths in their history.
If one hamster dies, it might be bad luck, but when two or more hamsters die quickly, it’s time to reassess your setup.
There are several reasons for a hamster dying earlier than it is supposed to. Some reasons are out of your control but others can be tweaked once you know what they are.
This detailed guide is going to help answer the question “Why Do My Hamsters Keep Dying?” and offer insight on the changes you can make such as buying a good hamster cage for your home.
Best Hamster Cage for Hamsters (EDITOR’S CHOICE)
- Habitat that provides everything you need for safely housing a small animal such as a rabbit, guinea pig, hamster, ferret,...
- Small animal cage is designed with an upper wire frame and a plastic bottom base, which provides a safe, well ventilated,...
- Includes a balcony with access ramp and small animal hideout, tip proof small animal food bowl, drip proof small animal...
Last update on 2023-03-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The Living World Deluxe Habitat is an all-encompassing hamster cage that’s well-designed, safe to use, and perfect for all breeds. The cage offers a comprehensive plastic base and an upper metal frame that’s as robust as anything else on the market.
The balcony provides additional value to the hamster along with the “tip-proof” design for where the hamster’s food goes.
Why Do My Hamsters Keep Dying?
Wrong Type of Cage
If you are asking “Why Do My Hamsters Keep Dying?” it might have to do with the cage.
Yes, this is where your hamster is going to spend most of its time, which means you need to invest in the right type of hamster cage. If the hamster’s home isn’t safe, it is not going to last long even if everything else is okay.
Sometimes, a poorly-designed hamster cage is going to suffocate the hamster, pollute the environment, and simply not allow the hamster to lead a healthy life.
In this case, you have to toss out the old hamster cage and replace it right away.
By making a change, you are going to hit the reset button on your approach to handling new hamsters. This can make a serious difference and allow you to see patterns that are developing aside from the hamster cage.
In general, it’s always recommended to buy a new hamster cage when this problem arises. It will allow you to see what’s working and what’s not right away.
If the problem persists then you know it may have to do with something else but this is generally a good starting point.
Fluctuating Temperatures
Is it too hot or too cold inside the room where your hamster cage has been set up?
Just like most animals, hamsters are going to want the temperature to be perfect for them to stay alive.
If you aren’t doing this, the hamster is going to end up dealing with a slew of health-related issues that will eventually lead to death. A lot of hamster owners don’t realize when it is too hot or too cold for the hamster, which is why it is important to keep tabs on this at all times.
So, what is the right temperature for your hamster to live in?
65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (18-23 Celsius) is perfect and what you should be aiming for. This will ensure the hamster is fully protected, safe, and can enjoy running around without having falling ill.
As soon as the temperature gets past this point, you are going to have a worried or ill hamster on your hands.
In general, hamsters prefer to burrow themselves outdoors as soon as the heat cranks up. This is common since they spend a good part of their time in the desert. Unfortunately, they don’t have this option when positioned in a hamster cage, which is why you have to take action by regulating the temperature.
The same applies to colder climates because a hamster isn’t genetically designed to handle the cold.
If you don’t make immediate changes, your hamster is going to start showing signs of anxiety and illness.
Wrong Type of Hamster Food
What type of hamster food are you giving to the hamster?
A lot of hamster owners think about finding something for hamsters to chew on, but forget to invest in the right type of hamster food!
You have to make sure the hamster is getting a balanced diet that is perfect for its health.
This includes finding world-class hamster food that is designed for the breed and is going to provide a long list of nutrients that are needed for the hamster to stay alive. If you aren’t doing this, the hamster is going to start to show signs of weakness and sickness.
Taking the time to invest in the best hamster food is a must and is a bare minimum.
If you aren’t feeding the hamster properly, how is it going to survive? It is simply going to start to lose energy and eventually pass away.
Polluted Air
This is one of the more ignored reasons for a hamster dying.
In most cases, the air inside your property is going to be okay but that doesn’t mean it will always stay that way.
There are situations where your hamster is being exposed to dust in the air that is starting to spread throughout the cage. This is something you have to keep an eye on, especially if you reside in an area that is known for its pollution.
People that reside in urban areas have to be diligent when it comes to pollution.
If the air is polluted then it is not only unsafe for the hamster but it’s unsafe for humans as well. This is why you have to take the time to position the hamster in a safer part of the house where it isn’t openly exposed to these toxins 24/7.
Remember, you can move around freely but the hamster won’t be able to. This means it is going to take the brunt of these toxins throughout the day and breathe them in.
Genetics
Yes, genetics do play a role even if it is rare in a situation such as this.
If you are someone that is asking, “Why do my hamsters keep dying?” this means multiple hamsters have died on your watch.
This is why genetics may not be a real reason for what is going on. It’s possible for one hamster to die due to genetics but have multiple hamsters pass away might be due to an external reason.
This is why it is highly recommended to see where your hamster is coming from and what their genetic disposition is like.
Sometimes, it may have to do with a combination of things (i.e. genetics + external conditions).
Poor Sanitization
Is the hamster cage properly sanitized?
Sanitization is a must because toxins can seep into the hamster’s cage and cause quite a bit of damage.
You have to use sanitization wipes and make sure to clean the cage regularly. The issue may have to do with your not cleaning the cage as often as it needs to be. This alone can become the reason for a hamster passing away.
If you think the hamster cage is starting to show signs of aging, it might be time to buy a new hamster cage right away.
Final Thoughts
For those asking, “Why Do My Hamsters Keep Dying?” it’s important to keep this guide handy at all times.
You want to look at the reasons listed here and start analyzing your setup in detail. Born for Pets highly recommends buying a new hamster cage, investing in better hamster food, and making sure you are serious about your changes. This can also include looking at buying a better set of hamster accessories or new hamster bedding.
By doing this, you are going to make it easier to keep the hamster alive and improve its quality of life too.
These are the changes that matter and it’s something the average hamster owner doesn’t do.
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