R.I.P. FuzzMuffin

We just buried the poor thing only 2 minutes ago. I went upstairs today to check on the hammys only to find Fuzzmuffin dead. It was rather gruesome, Cotonelle killed her. It's hard to understand why such small sweet creatures do these things, but having done my research I know that it isn't 'norm' exactly.

They only do it if:

(A) They really dislike each other, and never get along. Not the case here, those two got along swell and never ever fought.

(B) lots of inbreeding accures causing temperment problems. Again not a factor.

(C) Space is an issue. Again they had plenty of room for the two.

(D) Lack of food or water. nope, both are well fed.

(E) If cages are cleaned incorrectly sometimes they'll thin kthe other invaded their space leadign to death/fighting. Again not the case.

(F) If one if sick/not seen as able to survive, the others will kill it.

I think Fuzzmuffin was sick some how, she never exercised, and seemed to sleep 90% of the time. Me and mom had also recently noticed a loss of hair on both her cheeks and when we checked for signs of fighting there were none. The hamsters more or less will kill each other if it means ending anothers sickenss, or if they believe the other will not survive.

Also for most options leading to such a tragic end the hamsters will have been fighting for days/weeks before it leads to a death.

We'll all miss FuzzMuffin, it was a short while but we love her all the same :)