Common Causes of Hamster Accidental Deaths: What to Kno
1. Drowning from Rain: Those who have kept hamsters are well aware that these creatures should never be bathed with water, but rather with specialized bath sand. This is primarily because water can be highly刺激性 to hamsters, and if their fur isn't dried promptly, they may suffer from colds and fevers. Many pet owners like to place their hamster cages near windows to disperse odors, but forgetting to close the windows during rain can lead to water dripping directly into the cage. This can cause the hamsters to catch a chill, potentially leading to serious illness or even death.
2. Trapped by Doors: Some hamsters are very active and may occasionally escape from their cages, making it difficult for owners to locate them. In such cases, the hamsters might dart out when the owner is not paying attention and accidentally close the door, resulting in a tragic accident. Typically, being trapped by a door can cause the hamster to become paralyzed below the waist or suffer a spinal fracture, leading to death. It is crucial for owners to keep a close eye on their hamsters and prevent them from escaping, and if they do manage to escape, they should be promptly retrieved.
3. Intraspecies Aggression: This issue is common among hamsters kept in the same cage. As highly solitary animals, hamsters are not accustomed to living with others and can become aggressive, often resulting in fierce fights that may lead to injuries. If two hamsters of significantly different sizes are kept together, the smaller one might be eaten by the larger one, leading to an irreparable tragedy. To avoid such disasters, it's essential to keep each hamster in its own cage and avoid housing them together unnecessarily.
4. Improper Diet: Pet owners with limited knowledge might inadvertently feed their hamsters inappropriate foods or allow them to overeat or starve. This can lead to imbalanced nutrition and, in some cases, poisoning, which can be fatal to the hamster.
Hamsters are incredibly delicate, and any minor mishap can be lifethreatening. Therefore, it is vital for owners to take precautions to avoid these risks and ensure their hamsters grow up healthy and happy.