Giving the hamster to a friend or family member. Hamsters are popular pets for children and adults alike. There are various options, including: See if someone you know and trust would be willing to take the hamster from you. When you purchase a hamster from Petco, they will typically give you a 14 day return policy in which you can return the hamster for a full refund as long as you have your original receipt and the hamster is healthy and has not been abused in any way. Companion Animals explains that hamsters are prey animals. They have certain needs that simply must be met. Hamsters are cute and children easily fall in love with them. To get the hamster examined by a veterinarian after 30 days, Petco has the option of doing so. Whats the return policy for unleashed by Petco? Depending on the height of the fall, the broken neck can be so severe that it ends up killing the hamster. Weve all been there. Some people believe their hamster may get lonely if it is living alone, but hamsters are generally solitary animals. Please return the hamster to your local store for a full refund if it dies within the first 30 days of its purchase. By clicking Subscribe, I agree to the WebMD, Smart Grocery Shopping When You Have Diabetes, Surprising Things You Didn't Know About Dogs and Cats, Bird Flu Deaths Prompt U.S. to Test Vaccine in Poultry, COVID Treatment in Development Appears Promising, Marriage May Help Keep Your Blood Sugar in Check, Getting Outdoors Might Help You Take Fewer Meds, New Book: Take Control of Your Heart Disease Risk, MINOCA: The Heart Attack You Didnt See Coming, Health News and Information, Delivered to Your Inbox, Protect Your Cat From These Household Hazards. Within 30 days of the original purchase, the hamster can be returned for any reason, including illness, death, or unhappiness. Of course, some issues arent possible to overcome. What to do with a hamster when you dont want it? Also, if you adopt another pet, like a cat or dog, it might be unsafe for your hamster to exercise or live safely when youre not around. Not all hope is lost if you lose your receipt. Remember to clean the cage regularly. As long as you follow the steps below, a successful outcome is likely. Boarding houses that host small or 'pocket' animals also have specialized areas to be in a calm and safe environment. While daily checking on your hamster and regular holding is best for your hamster most of the time, there are occasions where it might be wise to leave your hamster mostly alone. Also, as per The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, Syrian hamsters are commonly used in lab experiments. [Old Enough + Too Old], 10 Most Common Syrian Hamster Old Age Symptoms, 4 Different Types of Small Pet Hamster Species (with Pictures), Is It Normal for A Hamster To Dig? The previous section covered ways to keep your hamster safe when you need to leave it alone. Choosing a hamster that is easy to tame is another factor to consider. Day 30 As hamsters have short lifespans, few traders will pay for an adult. Easy, ask the pet store! If youre considering returning your hamster to Petco, here are a few things you should know first. Try not to wake it up, and instead entice it to climb onto your hand on its own using a tasty treat. can you return a hamster to pets at home. While all pet stores have different policies, most national chain stores wont buy a hamster from you or take the hamster back for free. Peteducate.com uses affiliate links; where we may earn from qualifying purchases (at no additional cost to you). If you paid with cash, you will receive a cash refund. After a brief quarantine period, PetSmart will put the hamster back up for sale. Vets offer the quickest and most pain-free ways to put down sick pets but be prepared to sign a form of consent and pay the necessary charges before the procedure starts. How Do You Get Rid Of Hard Calcium Deposits In The Shower? You can take an unwanted hamster, In total, there are at least 20 species of hamsters. -Bedding: $10-$15 Hi, I'm Julie. You can always seek legal counsel if youre in doubt about any part of the DIY euthanasia process. Hamsters are notorious escape artists. Some only take cats and dogs, while others have the facilities to take in hamsters and other small animals. There is a chance that they will, but you wont get a refund. This is a good time for special seed treats like sunflower seeds! If youre unsure of how to go about it or would rather not get your hands dirty, a vet can get it done quickly and painlessly for a fee. After all, hamsters originate from wild habitats, and domesticated pets are ill-equipped to survive. Another reason pet stores rarely take in unwanted hamsters is that they tend to stop selling them at 12 weeks old. Youre entitled to know what their intentions may be. Socialization in hamsters. 2. Most often asked questions related to bitcoin. Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. DIY gas chambers made from shoeboxes and other materials can serve the purpose by creating a controlled environment where hamsters inhale the C02 which initially acts as an analgesic before finally putting them down in a couple of minutes. Not all businesses and charities can take on hamsters, so check that theyll accept your hamster and that the shelter operates a no-kill policy. Manage Settings Blunt force trauma from hitting them with a heavy object or slaughtering by cutting their throat can be two cruel but quick ways to kill hamsters. Once all evidence points to euthanasia as the best method for the hamsters comfort, a quick decision has to be taken. 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. However, these methods may delay the little guys death and cause further pain. If you return it dead within 30 days well give you a refund or exchange and dispose of it for you. But then you realize that taking care of a hamster is actually a lot of work. Many Pets at Home stores have adoption centers (run by the Pets at Home Foundation), which is a charity that finds suitable homes for animals that can no longer be cared for. Males tend to outlive females, but their lifespan remains short. If money is no object, at-home euthanasia services for hamsters can be an option too. Dont ask for a financial donation for your hamster in these instances. This will prevent their teeth from overgrowing. However, find out whether this is legal in your state to avoid getting into trouble with the authorities. Unconsciousness typically sets in when exposed to over 33 percent of CO2 and a peaceful death becomes inevitable when the concentration levels hit over 80 percent. Just like your hamster needs plenty of food, they also will need water while you are away. Depending on your perspective, that could be considered a good or bad thing. 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. However, the vast majority of their diet should be made up of plants. [Hamster Always Burrowing]. Aside from the initial cost of purchasing your pet and setting up its habitat, youll need to budget for regular Vet visits, food, bedding, toys, and more. Facebook bans the sale of animals between individuals but allows it for businesses. If you desire to give your pets the best environment to thrive in, please feel at home as we share some of the most valuable advice on the Web. This can be a solid alternative if you want to use the dead rodents body for another purpose. Whether you get a refund is a matter of discussion between you and the store. Hamsters generally eat grains, seeds, vegetables, and fruits like apples. If you live near an independent pet store that prides itself on animal care, it may take the hamster from you to find a new, loving home. However, this comes down to individual stores and their policies. Even when hamsters have plenty of food and water, they need to be checked on by their owners or another caretaker to make sure they are eating, drinking, and exercising. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to return one of these animals you have 14 days from date of purchase to do so. If you need to be gone longer than 48 hours, you should make arrangements for someone to check your hamsters food and water levels and be prepared to refill any empty parts. And with new content being added every day, there's always something new to discover. The consent submitted will only be used for data processing originating from this website. If you need to return your hamster to Petco, you will need to bring them back to the store where you purchased them. Theyre small, cute, and relatively low-maintenance. Greens are a good option to offer daily; parsley, kale, romaine, peas, and squash are all good options. Extra food and a quiet nesting area inside the cage need to be provided to a pregnant hamster. If you find yourself in a situation where you need to return one of these animals you have 14 days from date of purchase to do so. An, The Syrian hamster (Mesocricetus auratus) lives for around 2-3 years, assuming they can avoid sickness while very young. Hamsters are not aggressive pets but if they are scared or startled they may bite. -Toys: $5-$10 Keeping a hamster around may harm your respiratory system if youre allergic to animal dander. Because hamsters like to store their extra food in special areas of their cage, we want to avoid having the hamster store fresh food that is likely to spoil while you are gone. When you leave, it can be tempting to lower or raise your thermostat to save energy costs when you are gone. Petting the hamster gently and whispering sweet words to him during your playtimes can be very comforting in his last days. Hamsters come in a variety of colors and breeds, and different breeds are known for distinctive traits. To view the purposes they believe they have legitimate interest for, or to object to this data processing use the vendor list link below. Petco reserves the right to limit returns regardless of receipt. There are a number of reasons why you might need to return your hamster to Petco. -Other supplies: $5-$10. We wanted to give you a few more general tips for keeping your hamster comfortable when you need to leave it alone. Unless you are buying obviously sick fish, Petco fish have just as much a chance of survival as any other store. Several cages may look cool, but aren't very functional and are extremely difficult to clean (cages with colorful tubes are a good example of this). The bar spacing on the cage should be no more than 1/2 inch, to prevent the hamster from escaping. For non-health-related reasons, Petco may be able to take it back and assist you in finding a new home. If you cant care for your hamster, find a friend or family member prepared to look after it first. Items purchased in-store can be returned with a receipt within 60 days for a full refund in the original form of tender. 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. Whatever the reason, if you find yourself in this situation, know that youre not alone-and there are options. They have fast metabolisms to keep their body temperature stable. When she's not blogging or spending time with her family, you can usually find her rooting around in the garden or at the hardware store. There are no restrictions placed on what you place for sale on Craigslist, provided you abide by the terms and conditions of the website. 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. As the acid reacts with the baking soda, a fizzing sound will likely be heard. Hold the cup through the plastic bag and pour out a half gallon of the vinegar slowly into the baking soda making sure it takes about 60 seconds. A bored hamster can quickly become a destructive hamster. 4 minute read. An honest chat with your vet to understand the true state of the hamsters health can be a great start. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In that case, if for some reason you could not keep that dog/cat the rescue would want to be informed so they could take the animal back and find a ne. Read our, Choosing the Best Cage for Your Syrian Hamster, Determine Whether or Not a Hamster Is the Right Pet For You, The 5 Most Popular Hamster Species Kept as Pets, How to Care for a Pet Winter White Dwarf Hamster, How to Care for a Pet Robo (Roborovski) Hamster. Unfortunately, not all vets offer at-home euthanasia services. Not every hamster in the pet store is in optimal health. 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. We try to figure it out, give them proper rest and treatment, but still, you find no chance of . Burial can be quickly done in your backyard by simply digging up a hole 1-2 feet downwards, tossing the dead body, and covering up with the dug soil. If the hamster appears to be in good health, Petco places it back on the sales floor. Some pet stores include adoption centers for pets their owners can no longer care for. Yes. A child may drop the hamster, squeeze it, or scare it. At this stage, unsold hamsters are donated to shelters and charities, which is another reason why a pet store is unlikely to buy a mature hamster. There are times when your Hamster does not feel much well. An example of data being processed may be a unique identifier stored in a cookie. 1 gallon size plastic zip lock bag or shoe box. Petco reserves the right to limit returns regardless of receipt. Before you get one as a pet, there are some things you should know. Use a seed mix that contains a mixture of seeds, pellets, grain, and dried vegetables. However, youll have to take the body disposal process into your own hands after DIY hamster euthanasia. Their strong sense of smell helps them identify each other. To return your hamster to Petco, youll need to take it to the store and speak with a manager. 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. There are several methods available for DIY hamster euthanasia but the gas chamber option seems to be the most pain-free from personal experience. Do note, while we always aim to give you accurate product info at the point of publication, unfortunately price and terms of products and deals can always be changed by the provider afterwards, so double check first. If youre unable to find a new home for your hamster through a shelter or rescue organization, your next best option is to return it to the store where you bought it. I am a practiced pet owner with decades of experience owning a number of different pets. Alternatively, dispose of the hamster in the garbage. All pets sold through Petco are covered by a 30-day money-back guarantee. Call a local animal shelter and ask if they take small pets. Young hamsters are typically easier to hand-tame, but you can start teaching your hamster not to bite by making sure you don't startle it. Pets at Home will rehome unwanted hamsters. Besides they sometimes can climb stairs and often can squeeze under doors! Questions about the swimming abilities of bearded dragons Hey there! Pet boarding services for hamsters range from $15 - $19 per night, depending on your pet's location and requirements. How much room Petco has at any one moment determines whether or not it will accept an unwanted hamster back. Petsmart will either put the hamster back up for sale after a short quarantine period and vet visit if necessary or adopt them out if they were brought back for a behavioral or health reason. Although it's more common with winter whites than other hamster species, Syrians occasionally experience color changes. Some stores will consider the return an adoption and an act of mercy. The most common hamster species is the Syrian, also known as the golden hamster. Studies have shown that rodents put down through this method showed no signs of stress after post-humous blood tests for ACTH, corticosterone, and glucose. Yes, you can make a return if you originally paid with a check. It is important that you make sure your home is safe and conducive for a pet hamster. Your hamster should not be left alone for more than 48 hours. Here are a couple of scenarios where euthanasia may be the most sensible option for hamsters. If you are not 100% satisfied with your purchase, you can return it to one of our retail store locations. animal humane society: Hamster care., BLUE CROSS: Looking after a hamster., THE HUMANE SOCIETY OF THE UNITED STATES: Is a hamster the right pet for you?. If keeping your pet is no longer viable, you should consider rehoming the hamster. 2005 - 2023 WebMD LLC. Heres the method for euthanizing pet hamsters at home in a pain-free manner. You could sell the hamster online, but ensure its going to a good home with a suitable cage setup. To safely leave your hamster alone, you can do a few things: When you are home with your hamster, they may often enjoy fresh green treats, small bits of fruits and veggies, and even live mealworms. If you gain interest in your hamster from a stranger, ask some questions to the potential buyer. If you buy a dog from a pet store or commercial breeder, Californias so-called Puppy Lemon Law gives you some protections in case the animal becomes ill shortly after purchase. It is no secret that bearded dragons love the feeling of water on their bodies but it is normal for owners to wonder whether they can swim. If behavior is not an issue, and you are simply no longer able to keep your pet, contact the pet store where you purchased it. It is best to keep the temperature between 68 and 79 degrees Fahrenheit and the humidity between 30 and 70%. Hamsters are one of the most popular pets in the world, and its no wonder why. In this case, the only alternative is to make the item available for adoption rather than resale. But this doesnt mean that they can be bought, set up, left, and forgotten. 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. Also, you may want to wrap up the corpse in several layers of plastic before dumping the body. That way, you can ensure the home has a suitable setup and good intentions. We will make every effort to find a loving home for your hamster. Also, living situations can change, such as a no-pets policy on a rental property. As mentioned earlier, hamsters get frightened easily. Beitrags-Autor: Beitrag verffentlicht: 22. Adrienne Kruzer is a veterinary technician with more than 15 years of experience providing healthcare to domestic and exotic animals. Petco and Petsmart are usually very good about this. There are several methods available for DIY hamster euthanasia but the gas chamber option seems to be the most pain-free from personal experience. A hamster should not be left alone for more than 48 hours. If you want to sell a hamster because it makes too much noise while trying to sleep, a silent exercise wheel can be beneficial. What type of euthanasia service are you requesting? A self-taught DIYer, Tammy loves nothing more than tackling a new project in her own home. If a hamster stays at the store more than 6 months it would either be transferred to a new location or adopted out (free). Most hamsters sold by pet stores are 6-8 weeks old and retail at about $10-20. As with any pet, owning a hamster requires time, effort, and money. Although hamsters cannot live as long as other pets such as cats and dogs, they can still make excellent pets. Can I Return Live Animals? The Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, At What Age Do Pet Stores Sell Hamsters? As popular as hamsters are, theyre not adopted as often as cats, dogs, or rabbits. Letting your furball go through additional excruciating pain because of indecision can be a disservice to him. Saying Goodbye to Your Hamster During His Last Days. Your hamster also could need medical care or get itself into an unsafe situation in its cage and need your assistance. Bedding also differs from outdoor terrain, preventing hamsters from burrowing for warmth and security. If you continue to use this site we will assume that you are happy with it. It is wise not to try and introduce two hamsters into the same living space. Dr. Diehl is a passionate veterinarian pursuing specialty medicine with over 6 years' experience with exotic pets. This should reduce the whole familys grief and speed up closure when the pet rodent is finally gone. You may also have to consider that smaller hamster breeds have different cage needs than the larger Syrian varieties, since cage wire spacing can determine whether or not a hamster is able to escape. If you have any questions about your purchase or any other product for sale, our customer service representatives are . 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. Most pet stores have policies in place for returning small animals, and the staff will likely be able. There are two main species of hamsters kept as pets: Syrian (Golden) hamster and Siberian (Dwarf) hamsters. People blame Petco for fish deaths because they cant accept the responsibility of killing an animal. See also How To Introduce Formula To Breastfed Baby Maintaining normal light patterns also helps protect your hamsters health and sleep cycle. Both eyes should be open and, ideally, the hamster will be eating or running around the cage. We understand that sometimes life changes and you are no longer able to care for your pet. If you leave your hamster without any water or food, it can survive up to 48 hours. I've looked after adorable hamsters for more than 10 years. Hamsters need to be active and have enrichment so they don't get bored and overweight. What Happens to Returned Hamsters at Petco. Some petcos will only do the refund/exchange for dead fish if you also bring in a seperate water sample and the sample tests come back normal. Major national chains like PetSmart have breeders who provide hamsters for sale, and they rarely need to look for new sources of small animals. Im Chuck and I love pets. Hamsters are one of the most popular pet options for both children and adults. If you no longer want a hamster, youll need to find it a safe and loving home. Charitable donations to shelters may be made in exchange for surrendering your pet. Of course, you can factor these into your asking price. You can return a companion animal for a refund within 30 days of purchase, this can be done by contacting your local Petco store. Most items can be returned through any one of these options: 1. You'll need to have your purchase receipt, and you may be asked to fill out a return form. Cervical dislocation, a technique involving the dislocation of the spinal column from the brain or skull via the application of small pressure on the neck is another popular method. Petco will also reimburse the price of a dead hamster that is returned to them. 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 hamsters sold by pet stores are 6-8 weeks old and retail at about $10-20. Just be aware that you'll get a merchandise return card, or cash, but not until a 10-day waiting period from the date of original sale has passed. Be patient and let your hamster walk onto your hand, maybe offering a treat to keep the experience as positive as possible. What to do if Petco won't take your hamster Technically speaking, you can leave your hamster alone at your home for up to a week, provided that you leave enough food and water for him to go around comfortably. You should always observe your hamsters closely. However, you can return an unwanted hamster within 14 days of purchase with a valid receipt. Although this can extend up to 72-hours, it all depends on your hamster, its nature, and you. When picking up a hamster, its important to cup your hands around him so that he feels secure. Yes, your pet hamster can be euthanized, if your hamster is ill, injured, has organ failure or cancer, severe illness, or old. The hamster is now store property, but it has to be that way in order to treat him. Choosing such additional services can lead to even higher charges. Some pet stores will accept unwanted hamsters back with a valid receipt within 14 days of the sale. Selling or giving a hamster away could be a good idea, provided you find it a good home. David Krug is the CEO & President of Bankovia. One of the easiest ways of getting hold of a hamster is through a pet store. This can help you in your efforts to keep the cage clean. By Live or dead fish can be returned to PetSmart within 14 days of purchase, customer service representatives for PetSmart said. link to Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Some of our partners may process your data as a part of their legitimate business interest without asking for consent. According toThe Laboratory Rabbit, Guinea Pig, Hamster, and Other Rodents, Syrian hamsters are commonly used in laboratory experiments. If you cannot care for the hamster or find it a new home, your last resort should be euthanasia by a veterinarian. There are several ways to kill hamsters but the majority may cause significant degrees of pain before the rodent passes out. The main costs of keeping a hamster include the initial one-off costs of buying the hamster itself and the necessary equipment, which comprises a cage , food dish , water bottle and toys, followed by the recurring costs of bedding , food and chew toys. We often link to other websites, but we can't be responsible for their content. We are sorry to hear about your bird. Put the poor hamster in the euthanasia chamber jar with the hose extended about 2 inches into the chamber and partially seal the container, making sure theres a small opening to allow the containers air to escape. Ideally your new hamster should be between four and eight weeks old and bought from a responsible breeder or good pet shop, or rehomed from a charity such as Blue Cross. But if youre prepared to take on the responsibility (and expense), then youre well on your way to becoming a great hamster owner! Your sweetheart will be surprised by your gift! 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. This mineral buildup can block the showerhead's water flow, preventing it from Can you cook mince 1 day out of date? Before giving up a hamster, ensure there are no other options available. You may need to call around the local area to find a rescue center that accepts hamsters. We created Pet Educate to ensure that any owner can get access to the information they need to take the best care of their pet. When your hamster is diagnosed with a terminal disease such as cancer and suffering from major discomfort from the symptoms.