8 replies to this topic

[♥ Hungry Hammies ♥]

Hi Everyone!

Please read the whole post; and PLEASE no hate; i'm really sensitive on this topic.

 

Last year (haha) on December 24th, 8:04pm, Yuki, my winter white for six months, died.

She had been attacked by the cat(was put into her mouth but dropped from 1-2inches off the ground by the cat) and everyone thought she was fine. She got up and started running on her wheel immediately when put back in her cage with comfort food and fresh water with thyme, and seemed okay for the next two days, but on the third day it changed. She wouldn't move. There was blood coming out of her nose (not heavily, slightly) and her stool, and she was extremely tired. She passed away in her sleep around 7 hours later. The diagnosis was internal bleeding.

I miss her so much. The thing is, I also had two other hamsters this year-- seperately. They were both killed by the same cat, too. Every time I've upgraded security. I'll admit, when Yuki was captured there was no lid, I had forgotten to put it on that day. I have a lot of guilt about all of my hamsters,(4) and I wish none of them had ever passed. Frankly, I wish we didn't have that darned cat.

But it's just nature, I guess.

I really love hamsters. I've always loved them, and I loved all of mine especially. They make me happy, and help me to stay away from depression & calm my anxiety. I just bought a 20gallon long tank (I have that & my all living things starter kit-cage connected w/ some tube hangouts) and I've invested all my money into these animals. If I were to get another ham, rest assured I would get a heavy-duty metal mesh cage cover so there would be NO chance of the ham getting killed.

Getting to the point, Hamsters make me happy, and help my disorders calm. They are my creative outlet, and what all my money goes into. I'm even starting a youtube channel (if i get another ham) about hammies. I'm just scared people will judge me and hate me for being an animal abuser or something if something ever happens, even though I'm a PETA member and an animal rights activist.

What should I do? 

Should I get another ham? 

Please help me.

Thanks,

Stella  

[Ravynn]

I think you should get another hamster if you can take all of the right precautions. Like closing your door when you're not in the room to supervise and definitely getting a mesh cover for the tank. Also i do not know if you were planning to use the starter cage you mentioned, but it would be safer to use the tank just in case.

[squigglesthehamster]

I think if hamsters make you happy than you should get another ham If you are afraid of people on YouTube hating you I would just not put that info out there. I would also suggest watching Erinshamsters video on keeping cats and hamsters in the same house. To take extra per caution I would not let your cat in the same room as your hamster at all, never ever ever!

Edited by Squigglesthehamster, 07 January 2015 - 05:56 AM.

[queensferry]

If hamsters make you happy, go for it! But DO NOT let your cat into your room if you're not there, and quadruple check every day that the lid is shut securely. (Maybe put a sticky note on your bathroom mirror or somewhere else where you will see it daily to remind yourself?)

 

No one is forcing you to put that info on YouTube You don't have to tell YouTube if you don't want to.

[Brendan724]

Hi,
I think you should get another hamster if you put all of your money into this and you really care about these animals.

[~Forrest]

Get another ham! It isn't your fault that the cat got in... try harder to close the door to the ham room and tighter security on the cage.

[Padfoot&Moony]

Hey there. First things first is to stop blaming yourself. Sure there were some precautions that should have been taken but it was a mistake. The next step is to secure everything. I personally would suggest to just stick with the tank alone until you are for sure that your hamster is secure and happily tame and secure acting. The advice the others have given is also great! Making sure the cat is not in your room as much a possible is going to keep your hamsters as safe as you can get for him or her  

[Yukarimei]

I'm not sure if you knew this already, but they make tank clamp thingies too. They basically just hold down the top better. I have some, but I never use them unless I'm going to be gone for awhile. Of course, my cats don't even care about Loui as long as they can still watch him.

Edited by Yukarimei, 07 January 2015 - 03:11 PM.

[♥ Hungry Hammies ♥]

Thanks everyone so much! I got a new campbell's dwarf and a metal mesh tank cover, and took away the other cage!
 

All of your advice was extremely helpful & i did it all and everyone was super supportive-- Thanks SO MUCH!!!