not sure what's going on

[Piper77]

I first must tell you our beloved dwarf hamster Zippy died. Unfortunately it was 2 days after my Grandma passed away. So my son and I have been having a rough week. This is the 3rd dwarf hamster we have lost in the past 8 months. I don't understand what we could possibly be doing wrong. We visit pet stores routinely, most of them know us by name, and know how much we spoil our pets, even the stores out of town. The first 2 were bought at the same store and Zippy was bought at a different one. They have proper housing (Crittertrail), water, food (I even went and got the good lab blocks-took the Kaytee brand ones back), got rid of the bed fluff (now use toilet paper), chew toys, ect... The one thing I just changed after this (because we still do have a syrian) is I am using the carefresh bedding instead the of the aspen. I am so terrified to lose another one and my son can't take this heartache. We've had our syrian Domino (who is very special to us) for only 2 months, but we haven't been able to keep a hamster for longer than 3, so I don't know what we'll do if anything happens to him. I did inform my son that we probably won't be getting a dwarf hamster again, I don't know if that's the problem or what's going on. Please help if anyone's had an experience like this or any suggestions on keeping them around for longer, we get way too attatched for this to happen, our pets are our life, they're the first we check on in the morning, when we get home and before we go to bed at night.

[Punkygirl0101]

The first thing that comes to mind is, they are pet store hamster. Pet Store hamsters are most often inbred.. and come from bad lines, so don't live as long as breeder hamsters.

Also, how big is the crittertrail? Dwarf hamsters are very active, and require alot more room then they look like they need.. and they are also social, so live longer with company!

[Piper77]

I had checked into breeders, there was only one that I found on the internet within 100 miles of us. I called the number and he only had syrian hamsters, my son wanted to get a dwarf. We took our time looking each time we got one, sometimes going back to stores 2 or 3 times. We have the crittertrail one, not the mini.

[KellyP]

It may not be that your doing anything wrong. I've gotten a couple hamsters from petstores only to have them die shortly after purchase for no apparent reason. Like someone already stated pet store hamsters are often inbred or from poor lines, they've also just been through the stress of being exposed to lots of other hamsters and being shipped to the store and them moved again to your house. Some just can't take the stress of it all and die shortly after purchase. Don't feel bad, it happens sometimes. Hopefully the hamster you have now will be okay. Sorry for the loss of your grandma and other hamsters, I know that must be difficult.

[TiaMaria]

I'm sorry for your loss.

[KOKKINIKLOSTI]

The people above covered me, but i am really sorry about your losses! Losing so many beloveds in so little time must be really painful! Hugs:hug: !

[ilovepink]

Im so sorry for your loses.Rest in peace hammies,and grandma.

[Piper77]

Thank you so much for the kind words. I guess the good part about it is we gave them a great home for the time they were alive and they in return made us really happy. We couldn't stand the empty cage anymore so we went and got a new syrian with short black hair. My son fell in love and I couldn't reisit either! He named him Shadow, he's a lot of fun, jumps pretty high, we will have to keep an eye on him! But because of a previous post about the milky/creamy discharge or urine, we might have a female, we'll have to figure that one out! Thanks again everyone!!