Parents Think They've Buried Hamsters Alive Thanks To Viral Post
Owners everywhere are freaking out they buried their pet hamsters alive
Have you ever had a pet hamster and thought it was dead because it was lying tits-up in its cage so you threw a tiny hamster funeral and buried it in the backyard? Yeah, it may not have been dead after all.
Lisa Goodman of the UK decided to inform the world about a little-known hamster fact — sometimes when they are cold, they hibernate. Kind of like a bear, but way smaller. What a bear has going for it, however, is no one is likely to assume it’s dead and throw it away.
“Pet hamsters can go into hibernation mode if they get too cold. This can last a few days or even a week. Please don’t just assume your hamster is dead,” Goodman writes. “Whilst in hibernation mode if you stroke or try to move your hamster, they will show small signs of life.”
Goodman goes on to say owners should keep them in a warm environment, which can be achieved by placing “a hot water bottle under their bedding” in order “to try and bring them back slowly,” accompanied by a tiny little version of mouth to mouth. OK, I made that last part up but its got to be worth a shot. Also make sure to provide plenty of food and water as playing dead can apparently work up quite the appetite.
The faithful hamster owner also decided to share a picture of her hamster in hibernation mode so the world can see exactly what one looks like. It’s easy to see why many a pet parent could mistake them as deceased. But fear not, Goodman says “with the right care he will be running around his cage again in no time.”
This is good news for her hamster but her sound advice seems to have come a titch late for others:
and the response?
Ouch. That’s cold, Marie.
One woman even shared how she, too, was fooled by Hamster Hibernation:
Her post has brothers tagging sisters, daughters tagging moms, roommates tagging each other, all questioning whether they are, in fact, hamster murderers and if so, how can they possibly reconcile the person they are today with an act as sinister? There is rodent blood on your hands, people.
Goodman decided to post an update to her original reminding people that “a stiff hamster is a dead hamster.” Apparently hibernating hamsters are limp which is likely good news for those who can remember the firmness of their hamster before they buried it. “I’m sorry for any distress caused,” Goodman writes. “I’m sure you haven’t all buried alive your hamsters.”
Who knew hamster ownership could be so complex? They should really come with an instruction manual instead of a wheel.
