Dwarf hamsters can remain unaffected by falls of up to 25 cm (10 inches). The hamster’s condition, the place of impact, and the kind of surface will determine if the hamster survives or not. Broken bones, internal damage, and paralysis may result from a serious fall. Hamsters may withstand terminal velocity due to their tiny size and relative strength.
Read on as I dissect how high and far a hamster can fall and the steps you should take when your hamster falls.
How Far Can a Hamster Fall Without an Impact?
A hamster pet can move quickly and sometimes leap out of your hand. Due to this nature, it is very easy to drop a hamster.
A hamster can get injured or hurt after a fall due to its fragile and small nature. They may, however, survive, but this will depend on how far the fall was and the impact on the ground in case they hit any object.
So how far can a dwarf hamster fall? Hamsters can fall up to 25 cm (10 inches) without impact.
The survival of your hamster will be determined by the hamster’s condition, the place of impact, and the kind of surface the hamster fell on.
Broken bones, internal damage, and paralysis may result from a serious fall. Hamsters may withstand terminal velocity due to their tiny size and relative strength.
This suggests that hamsters are more likely to survive a greater drop than a much bigger animal despite their tiny size and fragility. To avoid accidents and injury, make sure you have a strong grasp on your hamster and keep it as near to the ground as possible.
Can A Hamster Survive Terminal Velocity?
The terminal velocity is the utmost velocity or speed that an item may acquire as it drops through a gas or fluid. Because of their tiny size and lightweight, hamsters can survive falls more than bigger animals and humans.
This is due to the fact that smaller species have a lower terminal velocity than larger ones. A human of average size falling from 300 feet would achieve speeds of roughly 90 mph, whereas hamsters would reach speeds of around 30 mph.
According to the science of terminal velocity, the smaller the organism, the more probable it is to survive a greater drop. A beetle, for example, might fall from a large structure and survive.
Due to their small stature, hamsters are also proportionally stronger. However, hamsters may injure themselves, particularly if they fall clumsily or collide with anything hard on the way down.
Why Do Hamsters Fall
Hamsters fall more often than other animals. This is due in part to their poor vision, which causes them to have poor depth perception.
You’ll notice this if your hamster takes a leap of faith off your palm, as it is commonly referred to.
Hamsters are tiny daredevils that aren’t always aware of the dangers they’re taking when they leap from high places. As a result of their weak vision and the lack of depth awareness that comes with it, hamsters tend to fall.
Can Hamsters Die When They Fall
Unfortunately, hamsters may die as a result of falling. What happens when a hamster fall depends on how far they fall and how soon you take action.
Although hamsters’ bodies have evolved in such a way that they have certain benefits, a fall may still be deadly. The risk of a fall is determined by a number of factors.
The Part That the Hamster Falls On
This refers to where the hamster falls on its body. Hamsters will always try to land on their feet, but it may be a big problem if they can’t.
The back of a hamster is relatively delicate, and falling on it might cause injury. The same may be said for their heads.
The Surface It Lands On
Your hamster will usually leap from your palm and fall on the carpet or hardwood floor. If your hamster falls on a sharp item, though, they may suffer cuts and wounds that might be fatal.
How Far the Hamster Falls
The fall’s distance is certainly significant. Hamsters can withstand pretty significant falls, so if your hamster leaps from your fingers, there’s a strong chance they’ll live.
However, depending on the height of your cage, a leap from it may be a greater issue.
What Should You Do After a Hamster Falls?
You should take the following measure when your hamster falls.
Seek Medical Attention
You must act quickly after your hamster has fallen to the ground to keep it from fleeing and hiding wherever you can’t reach it. Assess it for any evident symptoms of the damage, such as blood or strange-looking limbs.
Even though your hamster seems to be in good physical condition, it is not always healthy. Take your hamster to the vet if you fear it has harmed itself.
They may recommend euthanizing the hamster to ease its suffering in severe circumstances.
Make Sure It Is Comfortable
Make your hamster’s living environment comfortable while you wait for a vet appointment by offering lots of meals and drinks. Keep the room as silent as possible and out of reach of children and pets.
At this stage, your hamster will be frightened of predators, and its stress levels will be exceedingly high. Your veterinarian will offer you pointers on how to assist your hamster in recuperating.
Handle It with Care
In the meanwhile, try to keep your handling to a minimum. Even if your hamster doesn’t want to be handled in the first place, touching is likely to intensify the problem.
If you need to transfer your hamster, you should consider wearing thick gloves since your pet may bite you out of agony. Don’t drop your hamster again, and hold it as closely as possible without squeezing or hurting it.
How Do You Tell Your Hamster Has Been Injured?
Hamsters are down in the food chain, and they tend to hide their pain in order to keep predators away. It can therefore be difficult to know when a hamster has hurt itself.
It’s possible that by the time you notice your hamster has been injured as a result of its fall, it’ll be too late to help it.
However, there are various methods to determine whether or not a hamster is harmed. The following are the most common warning signs:
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Limping
- Bleeding
- Hiding
- Loss of appetite
- Sleeping more often
- Unexpected aggression
- Paralysis in the hind legs
- Cries of pain
These symptoms may not appear immediately. You, therefore, need to keep a close eye on your pet later so that you can give it the required care.
Can Hamster Jump
Hamsters have the exceptional jumping ability. When they’re fleeing from predators or attempting to get away from their cage, they’re most likely to jump. When they’re playing in their environment, they, for example, bounce out of joy and enrichment (such as coco fiber or sand).
They’ll leap to get a toy or delicious reward hanging from the cage ceiling, which is a great way to keep them entertained and stimulate their minds.
Their jumping powers also allow them to jump down when they are most vulnerable. They also jump from their owners’ hands, which might be dangerous if held too high.
Young hamsters are more prone to fall than older, less active, and less energetic animals. Despite their tiny size, dwarf hamsters can jump a great distance.
How Do You Ensure Your Hamster Does Not Fall?
It is very clear that hamsters can hurt themselves when they fall. Therefore, you need to take the appropriate measures to ensure that your hamster does not fall. These measures include:
Hold Your Hamster Carefully
When holding your hamster, make sure it can’t leap off your hand. If a hamster is going to run, put them in a secure area like its cage. Sitting on your sofa or in an empty bathtub may also help you hold your hamster.
If your hamster is new, develop their trust before playing with them since they may leap off your hand. Make sure they are comfortable and return them if they are anxious. Distract your hamster with food.
Ensure The Interior of The Cage is Safe
Your hamster may still fall and be wounded within your cage, particularly as they mature. As they get older, try adding steps or other means for your hamster to avoid climbing.
With age comes a need for more running room, so if your cage has numerous levels, try reducing them.
Ensure They Cannot Escape
Hamsters are very cunning creatures, and this will result in several escape attempts, even if the cage seems to be safe. A hamster can be able to escape by squeezing past the entrance bars of the cage that you keep him in.
As a result, make sure your hamster’s cage is secure. When your hamster is inside, ensure sure all the doors are shut and that all your tube connectors are secure.
Final Thoughts
A hamster can fall up to 10 inches without getting hurt. However, this does not necessarily mean that your hamster won’t get hurt.
I hope this article guides you on how far high a hamster can fall and what measures you need to take when it falls.
