Hamster overheating?

Teatime · 06-29-2015, 05:04 AM

I'm a little bit worried about it being very hot here right now, I live in spain and it's currently 38 degrees out and it was 40 yesterday.
Cyril spent yesterday curled up on the lower level of his cage asleep in a corner instead of his nest and wasn't as active last night.
This morning I found him asleep on his wheel, his coat isn't looking as shiney as it usually does. I'm just a little worried..

I've given him a mug that I put in the freezer (which he instantly got into and licked the inside of) and I've refilled his water bottle so the water is cooler. I also gave him a bit of cucumber.
Are there any other ways I can keep him cool and happy?

Piebald · 06-29-2015, 06:19 AM

You could try chilling a block of something like marble-- a cutting board-- and place it under one half of the cage or up against one side. Not under the whole thing, leave room for him to self-regulate his temp if he gets too cold! He might want to burrow down to the cold bottom. In the wild they would burrow in the day to escape heat.
The mug is good.

cypher · 06-29-2015, 06:26 AM

Does he have a sand bath? I've found when it's hot mine will sometimes sleep in the sand bath, if not you could get some chinchilla sand or play sand & try it.
Other than the mug & marble ideas I don't think you can do much other than keep the room as cool as possible.

Teatime · 06-29-2015, 07:31 AM

We actually do have some marble floor tiles in storage, so maybe I can use one of those, especially when I take him out for playtime in his playpen later on.

He does have a sandbath!

I didn't think of that, I only put it in once to twice a week. I worry about him overusing it. I read that they can dry out their skin, is that true?
But I'll see if he tries to sleep in it.

Right now he's made a nest in the mug (which has warmed up a bit but still feels quite cool) and seems quite happy for the moment.

Thank you for the help!

Malatessa · 06-29-2015, 08:19 AM

Love the chilled mug idea.

cypher · 06-29-2015, 09:02 AM

Problems with sand baths are pretty rare I think, I wouldn't worry right now & just give it a go.

racinghamster · 06-29-2015, 09:59 AM

Well done for recognising he may be feeling the heat. Marble tiles never heat up, so place one in his cage. They cool through the feet! Chinchillas use them as they are prone to overheating. The cool mug is also a nice idea. Run a floor fan too as this helps move around warm/muggy air. I have a floor standing fan that I use. Just don`t point it directly at the cage! It`s only to circulate warm air from feeling to muggy. x

Snowz · 06-29-2015, 10:01 AM

Well done on using tips to cool your hammy down! here is a link to a video that has amazing tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VLx9xpHWg0k

Fluffagrams · 06-29-2015, 10:13 AM

I'm glad that you asked this question because I was just about to ask whether anyone had any tips on keeping your hamster cool in the summer.

From what I've heard, we're due to have a heatwave and whilst my house isn't a particularly hot house, I'm a little bit concerned about how it will affect May.

I've adopted your mug idea so thank you for that.

BCjetta · 06-29-2015, 08:30 PM

When I was in Louisiana helping animals after Hurricane Katrina, it was quite hot and humid and all the animals in the cages were hot. We used frozen plastic bottled water to put in the kennels to help cool the animals. Perhaps if it was quite warm you could even wrap a frozen bottle in a towel and put it in the cage for a bit?