Mother posts warning online after ‘dead’ hamster awakes

A mother posted a warning online when her daughter’s ‘dead’ hamster came back to life after going into hibernation.

Lisa Goodman, 38, from Oxfordshire, was staggered when her daughter’s pet Fudge rose from the dead as they mourned its death.

The family had no idea that hamsters hibernated and Ms Goodman quickly posted a warning to other owners that they could unknowingly bury their beloved critters alive.

Lisa Goodman, 38, from Oxfordshire, was staggered when her daughter Lillie’s hamster Fudge rose from the dead as they mourned its death (pictured, the mother and daughter together)

The Goodman family hamster Fudge, who surprised mother and daughter after reawakening from a hibernation that had no idea it could practice

The Goodman family hamster Fudge, who surprised mother and daughter after reawakening from a hibernation that had no idea it could practice

Her post soon went viral with more than 62,000 comments from concerned animal lovers.

Ms Goodman said: ‘I wanted to post this and share the warning as it isn’t something that a lot of people are aware of.

‘Fudge is my daughter Lillie’s hamster so I was just praying that he would wake up. I didn’t want to have to tell her he had died.

‘Fudge was cold and from what I know that is the reason they go into this hibernation-like state. Hamsters are originally from warmer climates so need to be kept at a warm temperature.

‘I didn’t know about it until a couple of years ago when I thought one of my hamsters had died but while I was saying my last goodbyes it started to show signs of life again as it had started to warm up.

‘I can’t believe how many people are actually commenting on the post. I think I have caused a bit of a panic, but that wasn’t the intention.

Fudge the hamster asleep while hibernating

Fudge the hamster after awakening from hibernation

Left, Fudge sound asleep during its hibernation and right, when it awoke last week

Ms Goodman said that she was 'praying that Fudge would wake up' so that her daughter would not be upset

Ms Goodman said that she was ‘praying that Fudge would wake up’ so that her daughter would not be upset

‘Some people have been commenting and remembering their pet hamsters they have buried in the past and wondering if they buried them while they were still alive. 

‘There were even some comments from people that had put their hamsters in the bin and were panicking that they could have escaped or been taken off to the rubbish tip.

‘I have had a few people reach out to me and tell me that I’m wrong and making people panic over something that isn’t true.

‘I don’t claim to be an expert I’m just speaking as an animal lover from my own personal experiences.

Ms Goodman's attempt to raise awareness caused panic among some animal lovers with many getting upset about the possibility their pets were not dead

Ms Goodman’s attempt to raise awareness caused panic among some animal lovers with many getting upset about the possibility their pets were not dead

Ms Goodman, with her daughter Lille, said some pet owners got in touch explaining how they had put their hamsters in the bin and were worried they could have escaped

Ms Goodman, with her daughter Lille, said some pet owners got in touch explaining how they had put their hamsters in the bin and were worried they could have escaped

‘It’s good that we are making people aware that they just need to be a bit more careful with their hamsters and double check they are actually dead.

‘I just wanted to raise awareness as I had spoken to so many pet owners who didn’t know this happened.

Hibernating hamsters 

In the wild hamsters do hibernate through the winter.

In the warm conditions of an owners home, pets often suppress the urge to do the same.

However, if pets are kept in a colder part of a house, hamsters have been known to go into hibernation.

If they do go into such a state, the RSPCA suggests they should be left alone until they wake up.

Owners should also provide them with food so they can eat when they awake. 

‘I can’t even bare to think about all the hamsters that may have been buried six inches under in a shoe box that were still alive.

‘Some people may think it’s just a hamster and it doesn’t really matter but it’s still a living creature.’

However, Ms Goodman’s attempt to raise awareness caused panic among some animal lovers with many getting upset about the possibility their pets were not dead.

Jodiee Louise Jennings wrote: ‘We had a small hamster last year only had him a few months he was fine in the morning and by night he was dead, he was my little boy’s hamster and we buried him. 

‘Hate thinking we buried him if he wasn’t dead just hibernating.’

Shantel Terwilliger added: ‘Kasey Marie when we thought Princess was dead, maybe she wasn’t, we probably buried her alive.’

Ugonna Nwankpa said: ‘Omg now I’m stay up all night thinking if we buried Matthew alive.’

This post from Ms Goodman went viral, attracting more than 62,000 comments

This post from Ms Goodman went viral, attracting more than 62,000 comments

An RSPCA spokesperson explained that pet hamsters can often hibernate due to the warm and conditons in their owners’ homes.

They said: ‘Wild hamsters hibernate during the winter but wake up periodically to feed. In a warm house, artificial light and temperatures usually suppress this hibernation which means it isn’t common for domestic hamsters to hibernate.

‘However, if your hamster is kept in a colder part of the house, they could go into hibernation during the winter and should be left alone if they do unless it is believed they may be unwell.

‘They will wake up during hibernation to feed so it’s important to make sure that they have plenty of fresh water, fresh food and nesting material and to check on them regularly.

‘Although they may seem cold and still, a hibernating hamster will wake up quite quickly once they warm up so if owners want to check if they are OK, they could try moving them to a warmer part of the house.

‘However, if you’re at all unsure whether your pet is well or not, or have concerns about their health or behaviour, you should always contact your vet for advice.’ 

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