New hamster - sick or scared?

Question
Hi Kelly,

Thanks for your response.

Unfortunately, we found Woody dead yesterday.  I think he may have been gone since Wednesday as I don't think there had been any movement overnight.  We're rather upset actually as he was our first pet in our new home and we only had him for 5 days. Poor thing never had a decent shot at life;he was only about 8 weeks old.  I hope it's nothing we did.  I feel it's probably either something he had when we bought him (from Pets at Home) or he was just traumatised by the whole experience.  We're taking him back tonight and hopefully get a new bundle of joy to care for.

I like to think that the couple of days he had here were happier than being cooped up in a shop.

I would appreciate some advice on what can be cleaned and disinfected and what should be thrown away.

Many thanks

Ben

Answer
Hi Ben,

Oh, I'm sorry :(  But you're right, it was probably an illness (perhaps wet tail, which is brought upon by stress - coming to a new home) that he developed in the pet store.

You can use most of the cage again, as long as you disenfect it, then clean it.  There is special pet disenfectant that you should use, sold at pet stores.  The only things I wouldn't use again are the food bowl and the water bottle.  Everything else can be used for your new hamster.

If you have any other questions, please feel free to ask :)

Kelly