So many questions about tiles for summer

[cookietiger]

So I know lots of people put tiles in the frezzer/ fridge and then put them in their hamsters cages in summer in case their hammies want to cool down.

I was wondering if you had to clean them in a certain way? This is probably a really silly question but I know that some people suggest baking rocks before putting them in hamster cages I was wondering if there was a special process with tiles as well or I can just wash them in hot water.

The ceramic tile I bought only has the top coated in varnish or enamel or whatever and the sides aren't coated. Should I coat them in plastikote?

Sorry if they are really silly questions but I thought it would be best to double check (safety first)

[souffle]

A wash and rinse will be fine. You don't need to coat them with anything. Just put the ceramic side upwards for them to sit on

[Shadow Cat]

I have a ceramic bowl I use as a dust bath (well, I don’t use it, Fitz does, but you get my meaning!) and a mug on its side that he curls up in sometimes. I’m wondering if ceramic items alone, not put in the freezer, do the same job of somewhere a bit cooler to hang out. It’s very hot in London at the moment and although the cage is in the coolest part of my bedroom and on the floor (heat rises after all) I do worry. It’s not possible for me to keep my windows open when no one’s home because I only have a big sash window, plenty big enough for a burglar to fit through!

[Pebbles82]

Terracotta plant pots or plant pot bases are quite good too And they're quite cheap. Ceramic mug on its side is good too, as mentioned. With terracotta you can sprinkle drops of cold water on it that soak in and help keep it cool too. I just used to put a mug in the fridge and then in the cage. If you use two mugs you can keep swapping them round.