Reoccurring hamster dream – can anyone decode?

Occasionally I have a reoccurring dream about a hamster I once had as a teenager, the hamster in the dream always looks different to the one I had. The story always rolls out the same way..I discover the hamsters cage in my bedroom and realise in horror that I haven’t fed, watered or cleaned the cage out in years. Amazingly the hamster is still alive but I am riddled with guilt.

In my most recent dream the hamster looked rather neglected and was all bloated and slumped over its food tray. I picked it up and noticed that its teeth had grown really long, so i took it to this surreal sort of vets and had them trimmed...again i was panged with guilt throughout the whole dream for neglecting this poor little thing that depended on me.

I have tried to analyse this dream myself and think its because, I feel i didn’t give it enough love in its final days! But maybe it goes a bit deeper than that. Why would I be so bothered about a little hamster when I munch my way through hundreds of animals every year?! (sorry, to all you veggies out there!)

I am going through a stressful period in my job at the moment so maybe its to do with a feeling of not being able to cope emotionally...or in dream terms not feeling adult enough to look after the pet that depended on me.

Oh, I don’t know – does anyone have any ideas?

Thank you :)

I'm not sure if I can help but I definitely sympathize!
I have had MANY dreams about pets (past and present) where I realize I forgot to feed or take care of them, or I am trying to take them away from some approaching danger and have to make sure I have enough food and water from them.
I've also dreamed that I've accidentally hurt/killed one of them. :(
Your interpretation sounds reasonable to me too. I think mine have to do with the fear of not living up to my responsibilities, and pets are so innocent and completely dependent on you.
On that note I think I'll go make sure my kitten has fresh water...:)