It’s helpful to know what you can do with your hamster when the distressing moment comes when they are going to, or have died away.
How would you let them go and what choices are available to you. I made the decision to do the study, which I will now present here.
Table of Contents
My Hamster Died, What Do I Do?
Burial and cremation are mostly your alternatives.
If you have young children losing their first pet, burial may be the most practical choice and a wonderful way to let them go.
Your veterinarian can arrange for either alternative, with cremation often being the more expensive one.
Even if it is difficult, you should try to dispose of the body within 24 hours of the death.
You may freeze your hamster’s body until you decide what to do with it to stop the body from decomposing.
Put it in a plastic bag and keep it apart from any food you want to consume.
How Can You Tell if Your Hamster Is Dead?
It’s normal to experience worry once your hamster passes away.
Since hamsters may pass away unexpectedly and without warning, many owners question if their pet is indeed dead.
Check for signs of life in your hamster before determining what to do with the body.
Biological Sciences claims that certain hamsters enter a dormant state at frigid temperatures.
In captivity, torpor is uncommon, but to avoid starving, hamsters lower their resting metabolic rate and body temperature.
Torpor makes hamsters appear to be dead even when they are only breathing extremely slowly.
Hamsters frequently twitch right away after passing away.
Even when the hamster is completely dead, these nerve spasms might make it seem that way to someone who has never encountered them before.
Similar to how dead hamsters occasionally gasp for oxygen when moved.
The lungs are merely emptying themselves for the last time; this is not a sign of life.
The fact that the intestines empty as the muscles relax is another deceptive life sign. Sadly, this is a reflex that occurs quickly after death.
Instead of focusing on these indicators, see if your hamster is still alive by checking:
Eyes
Your hamster has already died away if the eyes are open and unresponsive with huge black pupils.
It’s time to determine what to do with the body after you’re certain your hamster isn’t showing any signs of life.
Breathing
Even if they are sluggish or indistinct, the body should move up and down.
To check for condensation, you may also position a mirror next to your hamster’s snout.
Heartbeat
Check for a pulse by placing two fingers on the hamster’s chest.
Can My Hamster Be Cremated?
Compared to just setting your hamster’s body on fire, cremation requires far more labor.
In order to evaporate the fluids and restore the body to its essential components, you must also assure extremely heated temperatures (about 1500 degrees F).
Small bone pieces will remain after cremation.
Skilled crematoriums chill the bones before putting them in a specific machine to transform them into bone.
It’s challenging to carry out this complicated process at home.
It’s too risky to cremate a hamster at home unless you have a huge open area that can contain a large open flame.
How Much Does a Hamster Cost to Cremate?
Due to their small size, hamsters can be cremated for an average price of $50 to $100, depending on the animal’s weight.
Private hamster cremations typically cost approximately $250, which also includes receiving your pet’s ashes back.
Is a Dead Hamster Buried?
Undoubtedly, it is able to bury a deceased Hamster.
It would be the ideal course of action if you saw your hamster as a part of your family and enjoyed spending time with it.
It can be interred in your yard, and a statue can be erected in honor of it. You’ll always be reminded of your hamster by this.
To determine whether burying a deceased animal is permitted in your state, do the first step.
You may always get in touch with animal control to get additional details and advice.
Before burying your Hamster, you might need to get permission from the landlord.
Before doing any such action, you must be certain of the legislation in your state.
In other locations, excavating animal bones might even result in deportation.
Make care to properly bury your Hamster if you chose to do so. Never bring food at a funeral as a symbol of mourning.
It could result in further issues.
Is My Backyard Safe to Bury My Hamster?
Popular backyard burials allow owners to pay respect to and visit their departed hamsters whenever they need solace.
If you choose a backyard burial, you may plant a tree or bush there or build a bench so you can visit your hamster there.
However, burying your hamster effectively requires that you own your property.
Before performing the burial, get consent from the owner or other inhabitants if you rent a home or apartment with a common yard.
Similar to this, if your hamster was put to sleep or given medication to treat a medical issue before it passed away, you should think about alternative disposal strategy.
If not, there is too great a risk to the ecosystem and other species.
How to Dispose of a Dead Hamster?
When you realize that a hamster is deceased, it is crucial to dispose of it.
If a surgeon treated your hamster when it died, he could ask you to take care of the animal’s remains; you should comply with his request.
A surgeon must make safe and legal arrangements for a funeral or cremation.
It will take some money, time, and effort to do it. This expense will be less than the fine for improper animal disposal, though.
You may choose to take one of the following actions if your hamster passes away at home:
Composting
You can compost the leftovers of your hamster if you don’t feel like keeping them with you but do not want to completely discard them.
Burial in Private
The majority of folks bury their deceased pets within their own homes. It will be necessary to confirm any legal involvements.
Garbage Disposal
You might wish to ask the local rubbish collection about the laws that apply in the region where you live.
If you are unsure what to do, you may wish to contact animal control.
Depending on the circumstance, they will be able to provide you with options.
Private Cremation
A nearby service provider can help you plan a private cremation. It will cost more, but it will also be safer and more respectable.
FAQs
How Long Does It Take for the Scent of a Dead Hamster to Appear?
If you don’t properly maintain the corpse, hamster remains begin to biodegrade very fast, especially during the warmer summer months, so you will immediately detect an unpleasant odor.
The speed at which your deceased hamster will smell will also depend on how it passed away. As contrast to hamsters who merely died in their sleep, those with any visible injuries may begin to disintegrate sooner.
Can I Put My Dead Hamster in the Freezer?
Only until you make arrangements for a suitable disposal method for them may you place your dead hamster in the freezer.
Even if you might need to freeze your hamster, it is not advised to do so for an extended period of time.
How Long May a Deceased Hamster Be Kept?
After your hamster passes away, rigor mortis begins to develop within 15 to 30 minutes.
Because of this, it’s crucial to protect the corpse by putting it in a sealed plastic bag until you decide what to do next.
Keep your hamsters in a cold place, preferably inside your freezer, and be sure to dispose of their bodies within 24 hours.
Is It Okay to Throw My Dead Hamster in a Bin?
The wisest course of action is not to dispose of your dead hamster in a trash can.
Recall the times you spent with your Hamster. Even if your little pet is no longer with you, you should still treat it with respect.
In several states, small or medium-sized animals can be disposed of in the trash. You should confirm that it is permitted where you are as well.
However, it is not a good idea to dispose of your deceased hamster in a trash can since it will continue to bother you.
Final Thoughts
According to statistics, losing a pet can have a similar emotional impact as losing a loved one or even a closest friend.
No of the situation, you should never undervalue your emotions.
However, when the first shock wears off, you should recall your hamster and the enjoyable experiences you’ve had with to keep your mind on the good things.