No one knows for sure what will happen if you drop a hamster, but most experts agree that it is not likely to end well. Hamsters are small and delicate creatures, and they may not be able to survive the fall. What happens to a hamster after it falls depends on several factors, including the height of the fall and the type of surface it lands on.
In this article, I will explore the potential risks of dropping a hamster and what you can do to prevent it from happening.
Will My Hamster Die if I drop it?
Hamsters are small and delicate creatures, and they may not be able to survive the fall. The following factors will determine if your hamster will die or survive a fall.
The Distance of Fall
A hamster can survive a fall from up to three feet. Anything beyond that is too risky and could result in serious injury or death.
The Type of Surface
A hamster can survive a fall onto a soft surface, such as grass or a pillow. However, if the hamster falls onto a hard surface, such as concrete or tile, the chances of survival are much lower.
The Size of the Hamster
The larger the hamster, the more likely it is to survive a fall. This is because large hamsters have more muscle and padding to cushion the impact.
The Part the Hamster Falls On
This refers to the position of the hamster’s body when it falls. If the hamster falls on its back or side, it is more likely to survive than if it falls on its head or stomach.
What Will Happen to a Hamster If You Drop It?
Dropping a hamster is a risky proposition and should be avoided if at all possible. If you do drop your hamster, the best-case scenario is that it will land on a soft surface from a short distance and escape with only minor injuries.
However, the worst-case scenario is that the hamster will fall from a great height onto a hard surface, resulting in the following:
- Fracture- A fracture is the most common type of injury sustained by a falling hamster. This can occur in any bone in the body, but the most common are fractures to the legs.
- Head Injury- A head injury is another possible outcome of dropping a hamster. This can range from a mild concussion to more serious injuries, such as a skull fracture.
- Internal Injuries- If the hamster falls from a great height or onto a hard surface, it could sustain internal injuries, such as a ruptured spleen or liver. These injuries are often fatal.
- Partial paralysis of the hind legs- In some cases, a hamster may survive a fall but be partially paralyzed in the hind legs. This is usually the result of a spinal injury and can make it difficult for the hamster to move around.
What Should You Do After You Drop Your Hamster?
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 injury symptoms, 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 To Prevent Yourself from Dropping Your Hamster
There are several things you can do to prevent yourself from dropping hamster in the first place:
Use a Carrier When Transporting Your Hamster
A carrier will provide a safe space for your hamster to ride in without the risk of escape or fall.
Be Careful When Handling Your Hamster
When you are handling your hamster, be sure to support its entire body. Hold it close to your body and be careful not to drop it.
Don’t Let Children Handle Your Hamster
Children are more likely to drop a hamster than an adult. If you have children in the home, it is best to keep the hamster out of their reach.
How Do You Know Your Hamster Has Been Injured After You Drop It?
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.
How far can a Hamster Fall Without being affected?
A hamster pet may move swiftly and jump out of your grasp at any moment. It is quite simple to drop a hamster because of its nature. Because of its frail and tiny size, a hamster might be harmed or damaged after a fall.
They may, however, survive, depending on how far they fell and the impact on the ground if they collided with anything.
What is the maximum distance a hamster can fall? Hamsters may fall up to 25 cm (10 inches) without sustaining any harm. The condition of your hamster, the location of impact, and the kind of surface your hamster landed on will all play a role in his or her survival.
A significant fall might result in broken bones, internal damage, and paralysis. Because of their small size and relative strength, hamsters can sustain terminal velocity.
Despite their small size and fragility, hamsters are more likely to survive a greater drop than a much larger animal. Make sure you have a firm grip on your hamster and keep it as close to the ground as possible to prevent accidents and injuries.
In most cases, the injuries caused by falling are not immediately apparent. It may take days or weeks for symptoms to develop. If your hamster falls and seems fine, don’t assume it is unharmed.
If you think your hamster has been injured in a fall, take it to the vet right away. Only a professional can assess the full extent of the damage and offer treatment options.
Final Thoughts
A hamster may fall when you drop it. The height of the fall, the type of surface it lands on, the size of the hamster, or the part the hamster falls on are all factors that will determine whether your hamster survives or not.
I hope this article has helped you learn different ways you can prevent yourself from dropping your hamster and how you should care for it after you drop it.