Moving cage daily?

Katecurlyfries · 02-09-2019, 05:35 PM

So I've had my Syrian, Hamilton, for about 2 weeks now! I've been moving him into the bedroom at night because the living room gets really cold at night (big glass patio doors and end terrace means it's too cold for me with the heating on still haha).
I've been taking him into the bedroom at 9 every night and he wakes up and goes in his wheel all night and falls asleep when I wake up, when I carry the cage back into the living room and leave for work.
I've read that moving the cage can be stressful for them, but he can't stay in the bedroom full time as my fiance works nights so it's always dark, and the living room is too cold at night. He seems ok and has been moved every night for his time with us, is this something I should continue doing?

cypher · 02-10-2019, 02:41 AM

It sounds as though it's probably the best option given the circumstances, it isn't ideal to move the cage but if he seems happy, active, eating well etc & isn't showing any signs of stress then I wouldn't worry too much.

Pebbles82 · 02-10-2019, 02:52 AM

I wouldn't recommend it - it's very stressful for them having their cage moved. And not always easy to see the stress. Excessive wheel running can be a sign of stress. Is it not possible to have a little heater on a timer on in the living room overnight? I have a little oil filled radiator with one of those plug in timers and you can set it to come on a couple of times during the night - mine is on 2am to 4am and then 5am to 6am. It stops the room getting too cold. If you don't have one then it does mean a cost involved and might actually be cheaper or easier to have the heating come on during the night for an hour or two.

Our house is cold and draughty as well - maybe the radiator in the living room isn't big enough? A little oil filled radiator wouldn't heat a large-ish draughty room a lot but it would stop it being freezing. They're about the cheapest electric heater to run and no direct flame or element. not quite as cheap as the little halogen heaters but safer to leave on as it's just like a radiator.

I have this one. It's not cheap to buy but worth it. It's small but puts out a fair bit of heat and a safe well made one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-TR...illed+radiator

This one would heat a cold room well and has a built in timer already so a safer way to use a timer. Might work better than your central heating! Our last house had a freezing cold living room, even with the heating on, but one of these used to make it cosy all night. From what you describe I'd go with this one.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Dimplex-OFC...illed+radiator

The one we used to have in our old, high ceilinged living room that worked brilliantly was this one - really belts the heat out and warms the room quickly - much more than the central heating did. But it's not a cheap one - it's for a large cold room. But the smaller ones will keep it reasonably warm for overnight on a timer. We actually preferred this to the central heating as it was more adjustable.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/DeLonghi-Dr...CMSXXF0M79XCB4

Pebbles82 · 02-10-2019, 03:05 AM

Aside from a room being warm enough generally, does your hammy have loads of substrate and nesting material? They like to build really big nests in winter and are aware it's colder, even when the room is warm. Our Syrian starts building his big nest at the end of August when he senses the change in the air.

So they need at least 4 to 5" of substrate and a huge pile of toilet paper strips for nesting material. And a good sized house as well to build the nest in. Would thick curtains help over the french window? Expensive option if you don't have any although we bought some full length very cheap curtains from amazon

Thinking of you as well as the hamster

These are full length and thermal and come in various colours £26.99!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B00VWM78...ing=UTF8&psc=1

Katecurlyfries · 02-10-2019, 03:06 AM

Thanks for the replies guys, I think I might leave him in the living room tonight. His cage is on a blanket and he's nearish the radiator, and our heating is one of those little box things that heats the certain room to a desired temperature, so I'm sure I can leave it in the living room and have it not too cold! Id hate for him to be stressed out so I think this is probably best, even if I'll miss the company of having him in the bedroom!

Katecurlyfries · 02-10-2019, 03:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

Aside from a room being warm enough generally, does your hammy have loads of substrate and nesting material? They like to build really big nests in winter and are aware it's colder, even when the room is warm. Our Syrian starts building his big nest at the end of August when he senses the change in the air.

So they need at least 4 to 5" of substrate and a huge pile of toilet paper strips for nesting material. And a good sized house as well to build the nest in.

Not loads as such, he takes it all into his house which is relatively small but as he's still kinda new, I'm reluctant to get a new one as he's already moved cages so I'm trying my best to leave him be til he's settles. I use the shedded paper substrate, do you think I should add some more in?