Ageing Hamster Advice

[Rowan]

Hey,

Well my little Dobbie Monster (hamster) is an oap and to be honest I really don't think he has much time left, which saddens me greatly and brings tears to my eyes.

He's now 2 and half years old and is aging daily. His back legs tonight are slipping from under his body, I have to bath his eyes daily as they are all stuck together and he is just so tired and no longer enjoys his ball for a run around and just falls asleep in the corner

Any advise on how to make him more comfortable over the next few weeks would be great as he is my first hamster and just want him to be happy and pampered.

He's still eating and drinking and come when i call for his treats.

Thanks,

Row xx

[emma_mcraf]

Oh Row, I'm really sorry to hear that. It's so hard and although I don't have any experience with hamsters, I wanted to let you know I really empathise. We lost our rabbit on Monday. He was almost 14 and a half, so we've had him as long as many people have dogs. He definitely outlived a rabbit's usual life expectancy, so we were prepared to lose him for the past couple of years but that didn't stop it being greatly upsetting. He had a great quality of life right up to the end. He got slower but still enjoyed his food and thankfully he passed peacefully in his sleep. We gave him a really good send-off and he's now buried in the garden.
I hope your little chap remains comfortable too. Apart from keeping him cosy and letting him have lots of rest, I'd imagine you already offer him the best quality of life, so just keep doing what you're doing.

[Merlin M]

I would just keep doing what your doing, keep him nice and warm and lots of nice treats! Am sure he is still happy! Its heart breaking losing even a hamster!

[Pussygalore]

I think I'd take him to the vet to check he's not in any pain and see what they say, we had to have ours put to sleep as she had a stomach tumour but she was a good age and she sat on the table washing her face. However she was loosing so much weight and couldn't move much, she would have had a miserable end so it was the kindest thing to do for her and as they are so tiny the vet gave her some gas before injecting her so it wouldn't hurt, he was as upset as we were she was such a lovely little thing. After her we never had anymore as it was so sad to loose her and they have such a short lifetime although she was 4 when she died.

[Suze65]

I agree, just keep doing what your doing, sounds just fine. Comfy and warm, food and water, peace and quiet. Bless him.

[burnt toast]

I took an old one to the vets Row who had a growth they advised me to take him home. I was worried he might be in pain but they said the only measure they had was whether he was active eating which he was so they said it was a safe bet he was quite happy

[pagan queen]

I would get his eyes checked to see of there is anything to make him more comfortable, can't be nice having irritated eyes.

[pagan queen]

Emma, so sorry to hear about your poor old bunny, he was a lucky boy to have lived so long and had you as his mummy.

[emma_mcraf]

Originally Posted by pagan queen

Emma, so sorry to hear about your poor old bunny, he was a lucky boy to have lived so long and had you as his mummy.

Thanks Wendy. He's going to be missed but it's comforting knowing that he just died of old age in his sleep and lived the life of Riley!

[Catwoman63]

It's horrible when our animals turn into pensioners, I'm sure you are already making his life as comfortable as possible, I've had my rescue hamster for 6 months now and I don't know how old she is or how long she's got especially as their life span for dwarfs are only 2 years.

Emma, sorry to hear about your bunny, its so upsetting to lose an animal xxx