My hamster shows no signs of life. Is it hibernating or dead?

Question

My hamster may be himbernating or may be dead- we have held him and stroked him for over an hour and left him on a warm blanket all day and still he shows no signs of life. However he is not yet rigamortis. Can you help? Pet's info: Other | Unknown - Other | Male | 1 year and 3 months old

Dr. Melanie, BVSc MS · Accepted Answer

Oh no, I'm so sorry you don't know what's going on with Humphrey! Rigor mortis can take up to six hours to begin after death, and it can take up to 12 hours to affect the whole body. Check for signs of breathing, as if he's hibernating he will still be breathing. If he's not breathing, then he unfortunately has passed. The best way to know for sure is take him into the vet now. The vet can diagnose if Humphrey is hibernating or has passed.

My hamster shows no signs of life. Is it hibernating or dead?

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