Hamster lying flat - normal?

[KELLISMILLS]

Hello,

I have a female hamster, about 2 years old. It's getting really hot these days, and she's been lying pressed flat on her plastic shelf things instead of curled up in her litter and toilet paper. I assume it's to stay cool, but because she's old, I wanted to make sure this is normal? Do your hamsters do this?

I attached a picture of what she's doing.

I can't remember how she was last year, but with her getting older, I'm extra paranoid.

Thanks!

[Vectis Hamstery]

I've had hamsters do this in hot weather too. You could put a chilled mug, flowerpot or ceramic tile in the cage too so she has another way of keeping cool.

Welcome to the forum

[Char]

I think she's just trying to keep cool. It has been hot last few days.

[Munchalot]

Yeah both of my hams are doing this, and they are happy and healthy. When they get hot they normally just flop out on their bellies. My syrian has a flat rock which he likes to lie on and keeps him cool. I also put his sand dish in the fridge, and he loves to sit in that.

[SoapyVP]

I've put ceramic tiles in mine but they haven't quite worked it out yet. They're still trying to eat them!

[KELLISMILLS]

Thanks for all your answers! I'll try freezing something and sticking it in her cage for her. =)

[Vectis Hamstery]

I'd suggest chilling in the fridge rather than freezing, Kellismills, if it's going in her cage rather than outside it. I wouldn't want her to have any damage to the skin on her paws/nose from having close contact with something frozen.

[KanaRose]

My female had done that when the temperature was around 90-100 degrees here. I personally put the fan on and made sure she had a lot of water. But I heard you can freeze pea bags and place under the cage, also just freezing things in general like the others have stated.

[racinghamster]

How is she now? Was she just feeling the heat? Does look to be, but try keeping her in a downstairs room (if she isn`t already) as upstairs can be hotter I find in this weather.

[Gizmoandfriends]

SoapyVP - Lol! Made me laugh