Hamsters are social animals within themselves and with people. 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. How Long Should You Leave Your Hamster Alone? The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, At What Age Do Pet Stores Sell Hamsters? Make sure to bring your receipt and proof of purchase to the nearest Petco shop in order for your refund to be processed. States such as California and Hawaii have laws against raising hamsters at home in the first place so putting them down must be illegal too. While it is understandable that you may feel a sick hamster is not what you paid for, returning the hamster to Petco may do more harm than good. To get the hamster examined by a veterinarian after 30 days, Petco has the option of doing so. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself in this situation, know that youre not alone-and there are options. To find a retail store near you, use our Store Locator or call (888) 839-9638. However, as long as your hamster is easy to handle, or your room is hamster-proofed, it is okay to let your hamsters free roam regardless of species. This involves care in how you market your hamster and which website you use. Live Fish & Invertebrates refunds may only be given by contacting Customer Service and cannot be given at any Petco store location. Both eyes should be open and, ideally, the hamster will be eating or running around the cage. Most pet stores have policies in place for returning small animals, and the staff will likely be able. This can be a solid alternative if you want to use the dead rodents body for another purpose. If a cage seems to have a few sick hamsters, it is probably best to avoid buying any hamster from that group since hamster diseases are very contagious.. If you are returning a sick hamster, you may also need to provide a vets note. Self-easing may become labored with strange scents. They are safe and healthy for them to enjoy too. Their strong sense of smell helps them identify each other. Dont use bedding that could wrap around their body or limbs to prevent accidents. Watching a beloved hamster wither under severe pain and discomfort can be heartbreaking for everyone. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. For times when you know, you will be leaving your hamster alone, opt instead for dry shelf-stable food that will hold its nutritional value and not rot while sitting in your hamsters cage waiting for your return. A deceased hamster that you didnt buy from Petco can be returned to the store and disposed of by a Petco employee. How Long Can You Leave a Hamster Alone? - HamstersInfo.com Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. Ask friends and family members if they want to adopt your hamster. Hamster diet. 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. Yes. However, youll have to take the body disposal process into your own hands after DIY hamster euthanasia. Suck on the hose to get rid of maximum amount of air in the bag containing the baking soda and vinegar prior to putting the hose in the euthanasia chamber jar. Your hamster should not be left alone for more than 48 hours. The price may depend on factors such as location, vets skill level, and the type of service but the range can start from as low as $40 to over $500. The expiration date also labeled Arew is the go-to source for all your home improvement, gardening, cooking, and family needs. [Old Enough + Too Old], 4 Different Types of Small Pet Hamster Species (with Pictures), What To Look Out for When Buying A Hamster, Why Is My Hamster's Fur Changing Color? Youll need to have your purchase receipt, and you may be asked to fill out a return form. Before relinquishing the hamster from your care, ask potential owners about their intentions. Please bring your hamster to the store and speak with a team member about finding a new home. If youre selling a hamster, youll likely be selling a habitat, toys, leftover food, substrate, and various peripherals. Unfortunately, not all owners have sufficient time to meet these needs. 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. Weve got all the information you need on when and how to return your pet hamster to Petco, as well as the terms and restrictions. One of the easiest ways of getting hold of a hamster is through a pet store. Theres no specific price to pay for professional hamster euthanasia services. The time frame and remedies available depend on the specific states law (ten to fourteen days is the usual). Some hamsters are more like little Houdini escape artists than others. Search for anything. Extra food and a quiet nesting area inside the cage need to be provided to a pregnant hamster. For young children, this can be problematic, especially if the hamster bites their sensitive fingers. A hamster needs a cage that is at least 18 inches by 12 inches, with a height of at least 12 inches. What to do if Petco won't take your hamster There are a number of reasons why you might need to return your hamster to Petco. Before you get one as a pet, there are some things you should know. The store must do the refund and replacement of the pet. Are Hamsters A Good Pet: 24 Hamster Pros & Cons - Pet Creeks How Do You Humanely Euthanize A Pet Hamster At Home?? They also need chew toys to keep their teeth neat and trim. Hamsters are quite small in size and other home animals may see them as prey. link to How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? The significant role played by bitcoin for businesses! Within 30 days of the original purchase, the hamster can be returned for any reason, including illness, death, or unhappiness. This info does not constitute financial advice, always do your own research on top to ensure it's right for your specific circumstances and remember we focus on rates not service. Under these laws, a buyer must promptly give the seller written notice of the problem, along with a certification from a licensed veterinarian that the animal has an illness or disease that existed before the purchase. Doing these things will ensure you rehome your hamster to someone who will love it as a pet instead of someone looking for snake food or a lab test subject. 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. Hamsters fetch low prices in pet stores, and their value depreciates with age. A high metabolism releases free radicals,, In total, there are at least 20 species of hamsters. If youre not happy with your purchase and want to know if you can return your hamster, this article is for you. It's also a good idea to provide hay in your hamster's environment to help with nesting and foraging. Litter train your pet hamster to keep everything neat. I really hope that you find this site useful! Can you return a pet to PetSmart? - Quora Inside the hamster cage you'll need to provide soft and absorbent bedding, awater bottle, an exercise wheel, chew toys, a house, and food dish. 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. WebMD does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Thats because they dont want to be responsible to a future owner if a hamster dies soon after it leaves the store or for any health conditions that occur once the hamster goes to its new home. Petco and Petsmart are usually very good about this. The appeal of hamsters as pets for young people is that they dont live long and are inexpensive. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. 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. When you leave, it can be tempting to lower or raise your thermostat to save energy costs when you are gone. Avoid opening the chamber to confirm whether the hamster is dead. A refund or exchange can then be obtained from Petco. Because of that children under eight years old should handle hamsters only with adult supervision. Hamsters can be tamed to be very sweet little pets but for anyone who has ever been bitten by one, they know hamster bites definitely aren't fun. can you return a hamster to pets at home. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. Special balls can also be purchased to allow a hamster to run around safely outside its cage; cute houses and other climbable options are available to provide your hamster with ample exercise. The best way to painlessly euthanize a hamster is via exposure to high concentrations of Carbon dioxide (CO2) generated from vinegar and baking soda solution according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Most cities have pet crematoriums you can take the little pets body after conducting at-home euthanasia. if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'hamsteranswers_com-narrow-sky-2','ezslot_24',165,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-hamsteranswers_com-narrow-sky-2-0');That doesnt mean its not worth enquiring about. I doubt if any of thrm will give you a refund unless you just bought the animal and discovered something wrong with it when you got it home. Males and females come together to mate, only to separate quickly afterwards. Perhaps you brought home a sick hamster, or maybe your new pet isnt a good fit for your family. As popular as hamsters are, theyre not adopted as often as cats, dogs, or rabbits. 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. Can a hamster be euthanized? Detailed Guide with Real Facts They use body language to communicate with each other and will also try to communicate with you. Petco reserves the right to limit returns regardless of receipt. When your refund has been received, Petco will handle it. Offering 5-10 tablets of Tylenol PM should do the trick but expect your hamster to look disoriented after overdosing on the painkillers. Create a tiny nest and cover the jar with a cloth or shredded paper to limit the hamsters movements during the final minutes. Hi, I'm Julie. The American Veterinary Medical Association recommends the use of CO2 for safely putting down small rodents such as hamsters. Selecting a Hamster. The hamster is now store property, but it has to be that way in order to treat him. Consider allowing your kids and other family members to spend some time with the hamster too to ensure a proper goodbye from everyone. There are a variety of hamster toys that are designed to be chewed so your hamster's teeth can be properly cared for, and an exercise wheel will allow a hamster to run as much as they want. Hamsters that arent native to their surroundings destroy ecosystems and breed, threatening local plants and wildlife. A refund or exchange can then be obtained from Petco. Ready to get the latest from Bankovia? If their cages arent properly secured, they can scale the walls of their enclosure and find a way out. The fish at Petsmart seem to be stocked better, but I have also seen much, much more deaths in the tanks at Petsmart than Petco. Trying to hold and play with an ill or injured hamster can create stress that slows down healing. Either way, it is essential that whoever looks after your hamster fully understands what they need to do while you are away.