Herbert's Final Days

Herbert eating chicken & carrots during his last week with me.

Herbert's activity level drastically declined after my last post. Since I didn't want to stress him out by waking him up and he was coming out of his hidey less and less on his own I decided to stop his training. Whenever he came out of his hidey he would just get play time instead.

In the last week Herbert would only come out of his hidey to drink his water, he would spend all his time sleeping, and he stopped eating his hamster mix. I started giving him egg whites, chicken, carrots, and radish, but his stool was often soft so I changed him to softened food pellets. He would sit in my hand and happily eat his pellets, glad to have some food that didn't require much chewing.

Last night Herbert didn't eat as much food as he had the previous nights. He also seemed extra slow and stumble. Tonight I made him some oatmeal and softened food pellets. I took him out of his cage and fed him while he sat in my hand. Then I cleaned up his bum and we cuddled and watched Seinfeld together. I tried to give him some water because he seemed dehydrated, but he didn't want any. I put him back in his cage and he passed away shortly after.

Even though I had only known Herbert for less than 2 months he was a very sweet hamster. I can only imagine what he was like as a puppy. Playful, curious, and full of life. I only wish we could have spent a little more time together before his age started to make it hard for him to get around.

RIP little buddy. I'll alway remember you and I'll meet you at the Rainbow Bridge.