Will he get cold?

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 12:58 PM

I hope this isn't too much of a silly thing to ask, but can hamsters get cold? I'm a little worried about little Sweep. The first night he pulled some substrate into the cardboard box he was put in when I brought him back from the pet shop and he slept there. This morning I found all the bedding in 3 separate parts of the cage, but then discovered he has been sleeping next to it, rather than in/under it. He has completely ignored all the bedding in one house, though I'm not sure if perhaps I packed it in a little too tightly so he couldn't actually get in there? At the pet shop he didn't have any bedding at all, just his brothers to keep him warm. And I'm pretty sure this morning he was shivering slightly. I did try moving it when he was sleeping so it covered him, but when I checked on him again he was back next to it. I know you shouldn't move too much around in the first few weeks but I am wondering if I should put one of the houses in the corner he is sleeping in? That way he would be a little warmer. I am probably worrying too much ...

shawniyatwain · 03-10-2016, 02:13 PM

I wouldn't worry too much, he will build a nest if he's cold. I have found some don't like sleeping in houses and like the open, I liked it because you can check on the sleeping. Make sure you house is a comfortable temp and that should be fine.
If you are really concerned about the cold pop a fleece blanket over the cage to keep drafts away and keep heat in (I did it when I lived in my old freezing flat) remember to not cover it all tho to allow ventilation

Hope this helps

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 02:20 PM

Only ventilation is through the roof!! So can't do that. The heating goes off at night (usually around 11pm, or whatever time the last person goes to bed), so it can sometimes get a little cold. I think I am just scared he will go into the hibernation mode if he gets too cold and that I won't be able to wake him up again ...

CalebsMom · 03-10-2016, 02:25 PM

I have my hams in aquariums with mesh tops. I cover them with blankets if it is colder at night and leave an area of the mesh uncovered for ventilation.

Coco61 · 03-10-2016, 02:56 PM

Best thing is to leave him to build a nest inside a house. Don't put more than some in yourself. Tear up some plain white toilet paper into strips and leave it outside the house and he will have fun building a nest where he wants.
Yes a hamster can get too cold. They should live in a temperature in the 18-25c range if possible.

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 02:59 PM

The bedding was originally inside both houses, so he could choose which house he liked best. One house he has completely ignored. The other now has no bedding in, and he's ignoring it. I don't mind him wanting to sleep in an open nest, just unsure as to why he decided to sleep next to the nest he made!

Coco61 · 03-10-2016, 03:04 PM

Who can see into the hammy mind? They do some of the most endearing and daft things! Sleeping in odd places is one of them judging from the photos posted on other threads. My lad however has a big house and sleeps deep inside and at the back and back fills his front door with Fitch. The only thing he does not do is hang up a "keep out and go away" sign! I would love to see him sleeping - no chance!

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 03:19 PM

Aww bless! They are so funny!
Sorry, probably just me being a bit silly, but have never had a hamster do this before, and he's only little. I think I've oly ever had one hamster who slept in an open nest, and they would build it so big most of the substrate would be used up! And then they'd sleep so far down in it you'd only see the bed moving when they got up!!

Rsclio197 · 03-10-2016, 03:26 PM

Poppy slept all over the place for the first 3 nights before she moved into her little pink house but every where she slept she took ripped up toilet roll with her. They love it as coco said. I didn't shred it though I just ripped the squares in half then put a load in various locations around her habitat. She always chose toilet roll over the standard bedding you buy. Suzi was exactly the same. So defo try that for little sweep!

Can't wait to see more pics

Rsclio197 · 03-10-2016, 03:27 PM

Oh by the way pinkneon how much does he weigh? Have you checked his weight yet?