why hamsters body become stiff when it died?

Question
Hello. My golden hamster just passed away few nights ago, he looks really healthy and active all the time before he died. Then one morning he wasn't moving in the cage, I thought he was sleeping, but when I touched him, his body felt really stiff and cold, then i realized he passed away. I know there are many different causes of death, but can you explain for me about what sickness or anything that makes hamster's body really stiff when it died.

"thanks for answering my question"

Answer
Hi Cory

I'm really sorry to hear about your hamster.  It is always a shock when something so unexpected happens like this.

It is difficult to know why he died.  You haven't said how old he was, but hamsters can suffer heart attacks etc. just like humans.

The stiffness in his body is normal for anyone who has died.  After a short time after death the body always goes stiff as rigor mortis sets in - this is true for people and animals.  The fact that he was stiff when you found him would suggest therefore that he had died a good few hours earlier.  Had it been more recent than that his body would not have been stiff.  This stiffness in no way explains why he died.

As this was an unexpected and sudden death, if you are thinking of getting another hamster at any time I would strongly advise that you soak his cage in a good pet disinfectant for a few days before washing out with very hot, soapy water in case there are any germs in it that might affect a new hamster.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila