Odds are they will put the hamster in a little cage and sell it to someone else. If youre not happy with your purchase and want to know if you can return your hamster, this article is for you. This is a stressful experience for owners. It is best to keep the temperature between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity between 30 and 70%. Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. A more experienced vet will likely charge higher for putting down hamsters compared to novices because of the potential difference in skill level. Socialization in hamsters. Even if the animal shelter is full, it may be able to connect you with other rescuers in the area that can assist. Hamsters are not aggressive pets but if they are scared or startled they may bite. There are various options, including: See if someone you know and trust would be willing to take the hamster from you. Items purchased in-store can be returned with a receipt within 60 days for a full refund in the original form of tender. While you can leave your hamster entirely alone for a day or two, it may just be best for your peace of mind and your hamster to have a friend or neighbor do a visual check on your hamster while you are away. A hamster that is used to spending time outside of its cage and exploring with its owner may feel bored when suddenly left alone in its cage. Place the hamsters cage away from direct sunlight or a heat source. Manage Settings Hamster crematoriums may also charge up to $800 for those who prefer cremation. A hamsters neck may get broken from an accidental drop or fall from a considerable height. Hamsters are one of the most popular pet options for both children and adults. To return your hamster to Petco, you'll need to take it to the store and speak with a manager. A hamster that has escaped without notice for more than 48 hours will be much harder to track down than one that has only just made a breakout. I've looked after adorable hamsters for more than 10 years. Besides, while solitary animals by nature a caged pet becomes entirely reliant on their owners to meet their needs. Generally a hamster is fully grown around 3 months of age. Petstant.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com, chewy.com, and and other Affiliate programs. However, find out whether this is legal in your state to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Four good reasons to indulge in cryptocurrency! Ensure the hose stays in place and doesnt fall into the liquid to prevent the expanding gas from forcing the liquid through the hose. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Protect Your Cat From These Household Hazards. If your hamster is sick or injured, it is best to provide fresh food and water, then monitor with quiet visual checks. While the process should be done quickly to put the little guy out of his misery, the value of spending some final time together with a pet that has become like family cannot be overemphasized. Maybe theyre moving, maybe theyre allergic, maybe they just werent prepared for how much work a tiny furry friend can be. Unless you are buying obviously sick fish, Petco fish have just as much a chance of survival as any other store. Why didn't you raise the bleeding paw during the sale since you noticed it? Hamsters are cute and children easily fall in love with them. Hi, I'm Julie. How Much Does it Cost To Euthanize a Hamster? However, now that you have a pet hamster, you have an animal that must continue living comfortably in your home even when you are gone. To find a retail store near you, use our Store Locator or call (888) 839-9638. If you desire to give your pets the best environment to thrive in, please feel at home as we share some of the most valuable advice on the Web. Not every hamster in the pet store is in optimal health. Hamster housing. You may have more luck with a local, independent pet store. Most hamsters sold by pet stores are 6-8 weeks old and retail at about $10-20. [Activity Guide]. In this case, the only alternative is to make the item available for adoption rather than resale. This can be an indication of illness and you might have to call a vet. Please review the following options and decide what is best for you and your hamster. According toThe Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, Syrian hamsters are commonly used in laboratory experiments. How Do You Humanely Euthanize A Pet Hamster At Home?? Both eyes should be open and, ideally, the hamster will be eating or running around the cage. After a couple of days, your hamster will feel comfortable and more ready for interaction. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to return one of these animals you have 14 days from date of purchase to do so. If you no longer want the hamster, ask friends and family if theyre interested in a new pet. Most items can be returned through any one of these options: 1. Instead, make sure you hold or interact directly with your hamster at least once every 48 hours. Hamsters are trainable. One of the easiest ways of getting hold of a hamster is through a pet store. Thank you. How much room Petco has at any one moment determines whether or not it will accept an unwanted hamster back. This can be a solid alternative if you want to use the dead rodents body for another purpose. Avoid using bedding that could cause health problems when eaten. But then you realize that taking care of a hamster is actually a lot of work. Hamsters that arent native to their surroundings destroy ecosystems and breed, threatening local plants and wildlife. Do hamsters get sick? Blunt force trauma from hitting them with a heavy object or slaughtering by cutting their throat can be two cruel but quick ways to kill hamsters. Typically, the longer the level of experience, the higher the price charged but there may be exceptions. Times It Is Smart To Leave Your Hamster Alone, Your Hamster Has Been Showing Signs Of Feeling Unwell, How You Can Safely Leave Your Hamster Alone, Leave Your Hamster With A Full Bottle of Fresh Water, Leave Your Hamsters Current Bedding In The Cage, Double Check Your Hamsters Cage For Escape Routes, Maintain The Normal Temperature And Light Patterns Your Hamster Is Used To, Make Sure Your Hamster Has A Wheel And Plenty Of Toys For Entertainment, Consider Having A Friend Do A Visual-Check On Your Hamster, Why Is My Hamster Not Using Its Wheel [And How To Get Them To], How Much Exercise Does A Chihuahua Need? Releasing a hamster into the wild isnt an option, as domesticated hamsters lack survival instincts. While doing so you can notice when they start acting differently. Contact Shelters and Pet Rescues Call around and find out if you have an animal shelter or pet rescue facility in your area that will either take your hamster or help you network with other animal lovers to find the right new home for him. Hamsters come in small and large, Most captive hamsters are native to desert conditions, so digging is a natural behavior. If your hamster squeals or becomes anxious, return them to their safe space. Bury the hamster in an out-of-the-way plot, at least three feet deep, to ensure that it wont be unearthed by other animals. Facebook bans the sale of animals between individuals but allows it for businesses. A short weekend away or a family event can mean that we need to leave our hamster alone. You buy a hamster on a whim, thinking it will be a fun and low-maintenance pet. Hamsters are solitary animals, and do not live in social groups. You may have an allergy to small animal dander, or another pet could end the hamsters life. We understand that sometimes life changes and you are no longer able to care for your pet. Peteducate.com uses affiliate links; where we may earn from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you). While all pet stores have different policies, most national chain stores wont buy a hamster from you or take the hamster back for free. If you can no longer care for your hamster, sell it to someone online or donate it to an animal charity. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. Hamsters are social animals within themselves and with people. But if youre prepared to take on the responsibility (and expense), then youre well on your way to becoming a great hamster owner! Here we answer the most important questions with complete, objective, thorough and extensive research, while also pulling from our combined 250 years of pet ownership experience. Our return policy is simple if you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return it to any of our Petco or Unleashed by Petco stores or to one of our petco.com warehouses. Use a. Due to an average lifespan of around two years and a low asking price at nationwide pet stores, the demand for rescue hamsters is limited, especially as they age. Checking your hamsters food and water at least every other day for freshness as well as signs of being eaten is ideal. You can feed your pet hamster combinations of rat blocks (rodent chow) and seed mix or hamster pellets. While the technique is criticised by many in the veterinary community, The University of Iowa and some vets consider cervical dislocation an ethical method for putting down small rodents such as hamsters. If youre unable to find a new home for your hamster through a shelter or rescue organization, your next best option is to return it to the store where you bought it. Ask friends and family members if they want to adopt your hamster. In these instances, youll need to look into rehoming the hamster. The first thing you should do is reach out to your local humane society or animal shelter. She now works with a team of other experienced vets to provide the best advice and care for their clients' pets. Just because you cant care for a hamster anymore doesnt mean that you want it to come to any harm. As long as you follow the steps below, a successful outcome is likely. When your hamster seems to be in excruciating pain every single minute. Hamsters are omnivorous, meaning that they eat both plants and animals. The hamster could succumb to dehydration, starvation, or exposure to the elements. Hi, I'm Julie. Required Items: 1 gallon jar or juice pitcher 1 gallon size plastic zip lock bag or shoe box 16-ounce cup Rubber band or tape Cage litter Rodent toy Cloth or shredded paper After all, hamsters originate from wild habitats, and domesticated pets are ill-equipped to survive. If the teeth are left to continue growing they will eventually start causing pain and other health issues. This method is not recommended for anyone looking to put down pet rodents in a humane way. Re: Age of pets at home hamsters? Before giving up a hamster, ensure there are no other options available. The time frame and remedies available depend on the specific states law (ten to fourteen days is the usual). For a refund or exchange within 30 days of your purchase, you can bring your hamster back to Petco with identification and proof of purchase. Im Chuck and I love pets. The best course of action is to take the hamster to a veterinarian to determine the cause of the illness and to get proper treatment. Shouldnt we leave our hamster cage fresh and clean for them to enjoy? After 30 days, call your local store and ask if they have room to take the pet. Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. Its an upsetting thought, but some snake owners look to purchase hamsters as a food source. As hamsters have short lifespans, few traders will pay for an adult. Do note, while we always aim to give you accurate product info at the point of publication, unfortunately price and terms of products and deals can always be changed by the provider afterwards, so double check first. Open the 1 gallon jar or juice pitcher and add familiar litter and toys from the hamsters cage to provide comfort during the little guys last moments. Pet boarding services for hamsters range from $15 - $19 per night, depending on your pet's location and requirements. Before leaving, clean out the corner of the cage where your hamster typically uses the bathroom and leave the rest of the bedding for a clean-out when you return. These mixes usually contain hay, pellets, and dried vegetables. We recommend always calling on a vet to euthanize sick pets including hamsters. Young hamsters will be easier to train and hand-tame than older hamsters, who may have had bad experiences or have never interacted with humans. A bored hamster can quickly become a destructive hamster. Nothing beats knowing your fuzzy pal is doing alright and waiting for your return. Call a local animal shelter and ask if they take small pets. -Other supplies: $5-$10. There are several methods available for DIY hamster euthanasia but the gas chamber option seems to be the most pain-free from personal experience. Hamsters can be returned to Petco without being euthanized. When your hamster is diagnosed with a terminal disease such as cancer and suffering from major discomfort from the symptoms. As long as the shelter youre taking your hamster to isnt full, animal rescue centers will take unwanted animals to find them the right home. Even if the hamster is aggressive or has health issues that dont hurt quality of life, most stores would rather find a home than euthanize. Yes. Additional methods include cervical dislocation and even Tylenol overdose. Although hamsters cannot live as long as other pets such as cats and dogs, they can still make excellent pets. If youre determined to sell your hamster, youll need to prepare yourself, as you wont make much money. When your refund has been received, Petco will handle it. Your hamster's diet should be made of 75 % fortified pellets, 20% veggies, greens, and fruits, and 5 % treats. Pet stores get hamsters through certain breeders, which means they have enough animals to sell. Can I Take My Hamster Back to the Pet Shop? Within 2 minutes, the pet rodent should be deeply asleep and making heavy breaths due to the deep anesthesia exposure. Although this can extend up to 72-hours, it all depends on your hamster, its nature, and you. You shouldnt put them together after they reach 10 weeks old. Even though a hamster lives in a cage, it is not an entirely hands-free pet. A sick hamster should not be released into the wild as this can spread disease to other animals. Questions? Even if your hamsters bottle is relatively full, it is best to dump and prepare a completely fresh bottle before leaving your hamster alone. Instead, cover and leave it alone for half an hour or so. Extra food and a quiet nesting area inside the cage need to be provided to a pregnant hamster. The easiest option for getting rid of a hamster would be to release it into nature. This means that the hamster is both sexually mature, and also has reached, or is very close to, its full length. It is wise not to try and introduce two hamsters into the same living space. After safely putting down 3 sick hamsters in the last 5 years, our personal experiences show that theres no easy way to get the deed done even if you know how to go about it. Few things are more admirable than the sight of a pet responding to its name when called. He's a lifelong expat who has lived in the Philippines, Mexico, Thailand, and Colombia. Also, personal circumstances can change, meaning you can no longer care for the hamster. What Should You Do If Your Hamster Has Babies. can you return a hamster to pets at home. One of the easiest ways of getting hold of a hamster is through a pet store. It may mean looking at our personal lifestyles and schedules; it may even mean adapting them a little too. Respiratory infections for hamsters are very hard on their small airways and lungs. When you do not have the financial muscle or cannot commit as much time as necessary to care for the sick hamster. When you leave, it can be tempting to lower or raise your thermostat to save energy costs when you are gone. The expiration date on food is there for a reason. They have fast metabolisms to keep their body temperature stable. Bedding also differs from outdoor terrain, preventing hamsters from burrowing for warmth and security. In theory, nothing can stop you from selling your pet hamster to a third party, as you dont need a license to sell an adult or baby hamster online or in person. There is no financial compensation if the hamster was acquired outside of Petco. Leaving your hamster alone for a period of time can be done with a little bit of planning and preparation ahead of time. However, these methods may delay the little guys death and cause further pain. Four different kinds of cryptocurrencies you should know. Whatever the reason, Petco has a policy in place to make returning your hamster as easy as possible. A hamster should not be left alone for more than 48 hours. If you're selling a hamster, you'll likely be selling a habitat . Within 30 days of purchasing a hamster from Petco, you can return it for a full refund. You may struggle to find a pet store willing to take on a hamster, let alone buy it from you. Returns via a Pets at Home store Simply take the order confirmation email you received when you placed the order and the product you wish to return to a store and tell the sales assistant you bought it online. Instead of getting rid of it, composting can help boost your backyard gardening efforts by serving as an organic fertilizer. Technically speaking, you can leave your hamster alone at your home for up to a week, provided that you leave enough food and water for him to go around comfortably. However, this comes down to individual stores and their policies. Hopefully, I can share my experiences with everyone. I really hope that you find this site useful! Do you want a standard procedure at the vets clinic or prefer home-based euthanasia by a vet on a comfy deathbed? Perhaps you brought home a sick hamster, or maybe your new pet isnt a good fit for your family. If you need to be gone longer than 48 hours, you should make arrangements for someone to check your hamsters food and water levels and be prepared to refill any empty parts. However, you must check with your local store to determine whether it has space for the sick hamster. But how long can you generally leave them alone before issues can typically arise? This leaves them vulnerable and highly stressed. Putting down a beloved hamster may seem inconceivable but there may come a point in the little guys life when every inch of breath can seem torturous. Returning hamsters to Petco over the 30-day mark may be acceptable in some cases, but a refund is unlikely in this instance. The store must do the refund and replacement of the pet. 2. Some petcos will only do the refund/exchange for dead fish if you also bring in a seperate water sample and the sample tests come back normal. Some people believe their hamster may get lonely if it is living alone, but hamsters are generally solitary animals. Returning Products Purchased at a PetSmart Store If youre not satisfied with a product purchased in the store, simply bring the product in its original packaging and in new or salable condition to any PetSmart store to be returned. It's not just a random date that the food company picked out of thin air. Either way, it is essential that whoever looks after your hamster fully understands what they need to do while you are away. If you have to spend money taking your pet to the vet soon after you bought it, you should ask the trader you bought it from to cover the cost of the vets fees. Hamsters are popular pets for children and adults alike. Before you get one as a pet, there are some things you should know. Within 30 days of the original purchase, the hamster can be returned for any reason, including illness, death, or unhappiness. However, there are some basic rules to follow when feeding this fruit to your hamster, to reduce any possible side effects. Try not to wake it up, and instead entice it to climb onto your hand on its own using a tasty treat. Whether you get a refund is a matter of discussion between you and the store. Hamsters especially dwarf hamsters have a tendency to burrow. With thousands of articles covering everything from do-it-yourself repairs to tips on parenting, Arew has something for everyone. If youre unsure of how to go about it or would rather not get your hands dirty, a vet can get it done quickly and painlessly for a fee. You can return a companion animal for a refund within 30 days of purchase, this can be done by contacting your local Petco store. Search for anything. They should provide a large enough cage, a wheel, deep bedding, and accessories. You can take an unwanted hamster to an animal rescue shelter, which will find it a new home. Unwanted hamsters remain in the centers until they find a home. What to do with a hamster when you dont want it? A hamster with dental issues may stop eating. If you need to return your hamster to Petco, you will need to bring them back to the store where you purchased them. We are seasoned pet owners and enthusiasts who love to share everything that we learn about them! Theres no specific price to pay for professional hamster euthanasia services. There are two main species of hamsters kept as pets: Syrian (Golden) hamster and Siberian (Dwarf) hamsters. Keeping a hamster around may harm your respiratory system if youre allergic to animal dander. Many of these organizations have programs in place specifically for small pets like hamsters, and they may be able to take your pet in and find it a new home. Petco will accept a dead hamster for return within 30 days of purchase at any of its U.S. stores. As you can see, owning a hamster is not a cheap undertaking. We try to figure it out, give them proper rest and treatment, but still, you find no chance of . Also, personal circumstances can change, meaning you can no longer care for the hamster. We created Pet Educate to ensure that any owner can get access to the information they need to take the best care of their pet. They are usually between six and eight weeks if you bought them from the normal area rather than adoption. Questions about the swimming abilities of bearded dragons Hey there! Need a new start..wheres good to live in the UK?! Selecting a Hamster. Also, you may want to wrap up the corpse in several layers of plastic before dumping the body. For this reason, checking on your hamster daily helps you to know that they are still safely in their cage and not caught up on any play equipment. You should provide your hamster with enough material to gnaw on. Within 30 days of the original purchase, the hamster can be returned for any reason, including illness, death, or unhappiness. If your hamster keeps climbing the walls of its cage and escaping, get a glass habitat that cant be easily ascended and keep the roof securely in place. Just giving an animal to someone you know is not a good idea unless you know that person already has those sorts of animals and how to care for them. [Hamster Always Burrowing]. The owner may then return the pet for a refund or another similar animal. Even when hamsters have plenty of food and water, they need to be checked on by their owners or another caretaker to make sure they are eating, drinking, and exercising. There are laws about releasing animals into the wild. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. You may bring your hamster to a Petco store to be treated in the wellness room if it becomes unwell during the first 30 days of its purchase. Check all plastic parts for wear and tear, position toys in a way that makes it difficult for the hamster to reach the cage lid, and consider securing your lid with extra weight or clamps. Yes. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hamsteranswers_com-leader-3','ezslot_13',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsteranswers_com-leader-3-0');if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[250,250],'hamsteranswers_com-leader-3','ezslot_14',165,'0','1'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsteranswers_com-leader-3-0_1');.leader-3-multi-165{border:none!important;display:block!important;float:none!important;line-height:0;margin-bottom:15px!important;margin-left:auto!important;margin-right:auto!important;margin-top:15px!important;max-width:100%!important;min-height:250px;min-width:250px;padding:0;text-align:center!important}Price your hamster higher than frozen mice to avoid this fate. This price is low because hamsters have short lives, usually around two years. We will then look at how to safely leave your hamster for longer durations and provide tips that may be able to help you extend your time away. Plus, they come in a variety of colors and fur types. At this point, you may be wondering, will pet stores take hamsters? Syrian hamsters are solitary by nature. If you've ever walked around a PetSmart store you know they sell critters like snakes, iguanas, mice, rats, hamsters, and other cool creatures. Im not sure if you will need to bring in your hamsters body, probably not, but maybe call to ask. You should always observe your hamsters closely. If the hamster isnt sold, itll be given to an animal shelter so it doesnt live out its life in a pet store. They need regular attention and care to truly thrive. Because hamsters like to store their extra food in special areas of their cage, we want to avoid having the hamster store fresh food that is likely to spoil while you are gone. Easy, ask the pet store! That's why you need to buy a healthy hamster one free from illness and disease that could cut, It's normal for a hamster's fur to change color. While many of us try to prolong the rodents life as much as possible, there comes a time when putting down the sick hamster seems to be the best way forward. This will prevent their teeth from overgrowing. Most pet stores will stop selling hamsters older than 12 weeks due to the short lifespan of these pets. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Dont ask for a financial donation for your hamster in these instances. A hamster can learn to enjoy being gently held and interacted with, but if it is left unhandled for long periods of time, it may be more likely to bite the next time you want to play. Hamsters are typically nocturnal animals that like to burrow and hoard food. Why you might need to return your hamster to Petco, What to do if Petco wont take your hamster, What to do if you cant keep your hamster. Self-easing may become labored with strange scents. Location can be a huge factor in determining how much professional hamster euthanasia costs. You may also want to buy treats for your hamster to eat, while vitamin supplements will be . A good way to think about it is that hamsters should eat a diet that is mostly hay, with a small amount of fresh vegetables and a very tiny amount of pellets, The best way to ensure that your hamster is getting a good mix of hay, fresh vegetables, and pellets is to purchase a commercially prepared hamster food mix. Times where leaving your hamster alone in a quiet place is a good idea: Your new hamster needs quiet alone time to adjust to its new cage and routine. Another reason not to leave your hamster alone for more than 48 hours is to help your hamster remain tame and friendly. This will allow you to gain your hamster's trust over time, and allow you to pet and hold your hamster while avoiding being bitten. Never give them human or another animals medicine as they are dangerous to hamsters. You will also need to bring along the purchase receipt, as well as any food or bedding that came with the hamster. Depending on your perspective, that could be considered a good or bad thing. While healthy treats such as Chia seeds are usually recommended, you can throw caution to the wind by offering sweets like Plain Cheerios or Marshmallows. This should reduce the whole familys grief and speed up closure when the pet rodent is finally gone. When he's not reading about cryptocurrencies, he's researching the latest personal finance software. Please bring your hamster to the store and speak with a team member about finding a new home.