I've been left in charge of hamster while daughter's off at uni. Hamster is nearly 3 and has led an exceedingly dangerous and hectic lifestyle (upside-down on roof of cage, flinging herself about all over the place). She's now very geriatric and has huge difficulty with her back legs that seem to be very arthritic. She can just about climb the ladder on to the upper stage where her water bottle is.

Today, she seems worse than normal and has left her favourite piece of food in the food pot (as I write she's scratching about in among the food bowl and ignoring the favourite food).

It's all a bit distressing really. Our last hamster just lay down in his little house and died - he was ok one minute and gone the next.

Do you think I should leave her to it, or give her some water at times when she's "downstairs"? I can't pick her up because she's really fierce and bites. She's refused all attempts to tame her. I think she's just really nervous, but it makes no difference because you can't pick her up. (I took her to the vet once and she bared her fangs and hissed at the vet!)

Personally, I feel I should provide food and water where they usually are (ie "upstairs"), and just let her fade away because that's what would happen in the wild. But I can tell that OH feels I'm being hard-hearted - he suggested I gave her a drink this morning while she was "downstairs". The thing is I don't want to prolong her suffering - she certainly no longer looks a very happy hamster.

Sorry for the long post. Does anyone have any advice?

I think you should definitely put her food and water where she can easily access it. Being arthritic doesn't mean you should go thirsty, whatever species you are
And if she's going to fade away, it's surely nicer if she does it in as much comfort as possible.

I would provide food and water where she can reach it. Not to do so would be cruel.

As a rat owner of many years, I would say that many of these things can be passing phases. You don't want her dying of thirst today if putting her drink on the right level will mean she can stay hydrated and be back to normal tomorrow, surely!

I would also say that many small animals live out their final weeks/months/even years with a perfectly happy 'single storey' existance

Yes, I can see what I said sounded a bit cruel.

But she can still get upstairs, so if I move her water bottle she won't be able to find it in its normal place (her eyes are tight shut now,- not a good sign I believe in elderly hamsters). She finds her way about by smell and touch, so I'll keep a close watch to make sure she can still go upstairs and offer her water when she's awake. If she gets so that she'll only be on one level I'll move the water bottle.

as a rat owner (and other smal furries) myself for many years also i've seen many a good pet pass away. a second water bottle is about 99p - ?1.50 that way she can have water whatever level of the cage she is on...the same with food bowl. you dont have to take away the second level of her cage but you can make it easier for her to live in it. make the ladder longer so its on a more gentle slope and easier to climb up. if this truely is the last moments of her life i would say that it is more a time to spoil her rotten and give her all the comforts she needs rather than just leaving her to it as you say.

Put the water (and food) downstairs quite near her. When she is awake, flick the bottle a bit to let out some water - she'll find it!
Put a little fresh food like cucumber and lettuce near her where she can nibble without having to move. The cucumber also has a good water content so will help keep her hydrated.

Sad news: RIP hamster. She died yesterday afternoon, funeral this morning.

But thanks to everyone for advice. I feel better that I offered her some carrot yesterday lunch time, although I found that among the bedding.

I'm sure she's much happier in Hamster Heaven if there's such a place.

Aw Very sorry to hear that.

Me too.

Very sad, but at least you know that you did everything you could

Poor thing. Hopefully you moved the water down for her so that she was spared the added distress of dehydration as she died.