Hamster Woes...

[effervescenc]

I took my sister to Pets at Home yesterday to buy a new hamster as hers died of old age a few days ago. Anyway there was only one dwarf hamster left so we got it. It was very friendly yesterday so she played with it for a short while and then put it in it's cage to let it get used to it. Today at about 8pm it emerged from it's cage and was running around like crazy like it was having some kind of fit and then started squeaking and lay down and died. Did we do something wrong? We had everything food, water, bedding etc... Is it our fault or pets at home? Do you think we'll get a refund. Sorry for the essay!! x x x

[Postdog]

Can't really answer as I know little about hamsters. However, I have a friend who has had hamster after hamster die on them, and she found out the reason was they also gave it dietary supplements of some kind, which basically poisoned them. If you did the same (not saying you did) or maybe the shop before you got it, maybe that had something to do with it.

and I would try to get a refund - at the very least let them know it died within a day.

PS now my friend knows, her latest one has lasted for a while now.

[lankeela]

I would demand a replacement or a refund, but I would definitely not mention the running round like crazy, only that you found it dead the next day. Cause a stink if you have to while in the shop, but they should replace it. I can't believe anything you have done would do this to it.

[lankeela]

Just a thought, as the other one had died had she cleaned the cage with something like a chemical?

[effervescenc]

N, definitely no chemical problems. Her other hamster was pretty old like 3 or something. I just feel bad because she's only 10 and it's quite hard for her to lose 2 hamsters in a couple of days :( I think the hamster we bought yesterday may have been quite old as it was pretty fat and had rather long nails, so maybe it was ill and had some sort of stroke?? I just don't want my sister thinking she is too blame!

[Noweia]

Under trading standards legislation the hamster was not fit for the purpose (of being a pet, as it died the next day) and you should be able to get a refund or replacement.

If there's only one left again, best to wait until they get more in, then you'll be able to see which one are the healthy ones and which aren't.

[wildwood]

You'll probably get a replacement from the shop but this is not automatic with animals. I suspect the change of diet is probably to blame so it was not necessarily the shop's fault. As you can see.... people are always quick to blame a petshop as the culprit while most are honest traders.

[what..the?]

To be honest I am a big furry pet fan have had 5 hamsters in my time and I would def say it was not your fault the shear fact that the previous hamster lived 3 years proves the fact that you and your sister know how too look after a hamster and the basic requirements of it lifestyle and the do and don'ts.

Also as soon as a heard 'Pets at home' I became worried, it be honest they dont have many fans this company, they are know for not looking after their animals, and providing poor care to the animal residents. A pet from them is an unhealthy / ill pet in mainy peoples views.

I am in no doubt that the death of the hamster is down to 'pets at home' and not down to you. Yes you should get a refund but I would ring first because I would worry they might suggest 'proof' and a 'hamster body' brought in to the shop, the fact they might not take your word for it, is bad enough as it is, but companies are companies.

I cannot see taking the poor dead thing in would be good for your sister to witness if it hasnt been buried already anyway.

Even if their refund process is good and they do give your money back I recommend not to buy another hamster or animal from them please. The fact one has died in 24 hours is proof, how many more die and they hide them out the back (I have heard of rumours concerning this).

Try another pet shop, or even ask other people where they got their hamster, recommendations always the best. Good luck and tell your sister it was an old hamster bought by mistake!!! Talking about that it reminds me 'Pets at home' do take in unwanted pets from what i have seen in my '1' visit to a store in western-superware, They do not label them as unwanted or returned but you can see they are old and a price is just slapped on them. So i suppose there is a chance it is an old one and they wanted to get rid of it.

Good luck

[k8bailey]

pets at home do have a refund poilcy, you'll have to take the hamster back with the recipt tho! good luck with the next one!

[effervescenc]

Thanks for all the advice. Pets at home have actually been really good about the whole situation. I rang them up yesterday and they said they would give us a replacement, (no need to show evidence that the previous hamster is dead)! So my little sister is now very happy with her new, very spritely hamster!