Keeping your hamster cool

[Cinnamon Bear]

I bought a portable air conditioner for my hammy room, plus a second air conditioner for my bedroom. It helps soooo much!!!

I have one tank behind the ac, next to the sliding glass door so this threads makes me think I should move her, since I don't have central air as I live in an apartment

[SiriusBlack]

Thought I'd look on here as I found Alf asleep in his sand bath this morning so I know he must be struggling with the heat.

Great advice thanks.

[Sazzle]

I've had to give in and have just moved my little boy to my mom's house having seen the forecast for tomorrow. She has cooler places to put him and can keep an eye when I'm at work. Poor hams. It's a nightmare for them (and us).

I knew I couldn't leave him alone again tomorrow with these temps.

Thanks for all your advice. X

[CMB]

I got two thin cool packs today. I chilled them. The first one was for an hour and then placed it next to the terracotta flower pot Willow is sleeping in. The second is so I can swap them between fridge and cage.

She did sniff it, but didn't chew it. It has been removed again now. She also climber on it.

[Sazzle]

After 4 nights away I picked up my little man and he's back with me. He seems in good spirits now and much better now it's cooler.

Thanks for all the tips. Ultimately the best thing was to get him away from my boiling flat!

Poor thing. He seems resilient though.

[SallyJean]

Originally Posted by leedsgurl

As the UK weather is hotting up at the moment, I thought it would be good to have all the tips for keeping your hamster cool in one place.


Feel free to add more to this thread!

• Make sure no hamster homes are in direct sunlight.
• Try to make sure the room is cool, you could put a fan in for air flow (but not pointed right at the homes) If the room is too hot for you, it's most likely too hot for the hamster!
• You can put cold packs next to the outside of a cage where it cannot be chewed, just on one side so the hamster can go near it if they want.
• You can put ice cubes in front of a fan or near a cage to help cool the air.
• Small plastic drinks bottles can be 3/4 filled with water, then chilled in a fridge or frozen in a freezer then either placed outside like a cool pack, or inside the hamster home wrapped up in a bit of loo roll ( so the hamster doesn't hurt itself on the cold (really important if frozen!).
• Mugs, saucers or even tiles can be chilled in a fridge then placed into the hamster home, giving something they can lean against, go in, or lie on if they want. You could try to order some free tile samples, or get some marble coasters.
• Click here to view a video by ErinsAnimals.

Remember not to go too far, only put a cooling thing in one spot of a home so the hamster can get away from it if it wishes.

If your hamster looks ill, do call a vet to get advice/an appointment.

Thank you very much for this most helpful information.

[SallyJean]

Originally Posted by emojimom

I am very sensitive to humid and hot weather, and it's already getting very warm where I live. I use my air conditioning because when it's like this I get migraines and flare ups of my chronic illness. If the a/c is on, the hamsters will probably be fine, too, right? I also plan on giving them more ceramic and terracotta items, and they have some stones in their cages already, but I'm hoping since I run my a/c, the house, including their room, should stay comfortable.

Very good information Thank you very much. My hamster will appreciate this when the hot weather starts.

[SimonandSyril]

I put ice in the water bottle then wrap the water bottle in tinfoil (i only do this if the water bottle is outside the cage) it keeps it cooler for longer

[Angelisodaa]

thanks for this! it gets super hot in Texas durring the summer so this was really helpful.

[ladyntramp002]

I tend to put ceramic hideys in the freezer for a couple of hours and put them in the cage for the hams to nest in. Exchanging the hides after a while with a new one from the freezer.


Also I tend to use more of a breathable bedding during the hot months.