Heatwave

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Stanza

Just reading through this thread, it is a bit of a worry. Hams has been appearing at his usual time but I have noticed him pop out in the day for a drink which he doesn’t always do or maybe I’ve not noticed before. I think having some kind of air circulating in the room would help. I checked Hams nest area yesterday and noticed he’d dug deeper, so hoping it helps. Take care all.

It is good to hear Hams is well. The bigger burrow is a great way of keeping cool.

[Stanza]

Hi Cloudy, do you think our hamsters regardless of breed would come out of their nests in the day if they were too hot? I tried a big ceramic mug with Hams but he’s not using it….yet. I’m lucky to be working from home so will keep a close eye.

Like the idea that has been mentioned of wrapping freezer blocks in tea towels and placing on the outside of cage near where they sleep. If Hams does appear looking hot and bothered I’ll give this a try.

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Stanza

Hi Cloudy, do you think our hamsters regardless of breed would come out of their nests in the day if they were too hot? I tried a big ceramic mug with Hams but he’s not using it….yet. I’m lucky to be working from home so will keep a close eye.

Like the idea that has been mentioned of wrapping freezer blocks in tea towels and placing on the outside of cage near where they sleep. If Hams does appear looking hot and bothered I’ll give this a try.

I am not sure because I heard some hamsters find their burows cooler. Orko has not come out in the day yet. He has been with me for about 6weeks now.

They are funny things. Orko will not use his ceramic hides either. I think they have their own ways of keeping cool.

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by cloudy

I think they have their own ways of keeping cool.

I think so too. Typical hamster attitude of "i'm not doing what that human thinks i should do".

[cloudy]

Originally Posted by Ria P

I think so too. Typical hamster attitude of "i'm not doing what that human thinks i should do".

Lol. I spent ages emptying Orko's sand box and throwing out that sand, then refrigerating fresh sand and he ignored it.

[Ria P]

I'll put some torn into strips toilet paper in the fridge tomorrow (at work overnight) and then place it next to a heap of normal temperature one to see which one they'll go for. I'm not convinced that they like cold things so want to put it to the test.
Toilet paper is top notch nesting material and won't get ignored.

[ilguy]

If it does get really bad, you can create a makeshift air conditioner with a cheap box fan and a towel. Get the towel a little damp, drape it over, and voila. I wouldn't use it for longer than an hour at a time though, it adds a bit of extra stress to the motor.

A cheap trick I picked up when living in an old school tenement building that had no interior ventilation.

[Lilafernim]

I couldn’t see if it had been said but I also got some baby food and frozen it in an ice cube try to make mine some ‘hamster lollies’. I’ve also read people saying put their sand in a ceramic dish and put it in the fridge. I also read someone saying to use rocks so I’ve sterilised some and I’m going to rotate the ones I put in the cage and the fridge. Might help cool the atmosphere of the cage but since they’re asleep at this time I doubt she’ll press against them.

I’ve also done the ice block thing against her cage but aside from that and the ceramic pots that’s all I’m doing.

I was wondering if I put a sheet over the cage would that cool it better or would it just heat up faster?

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Lilafernim

I was wondering if I put a sheet over the cage would that cool it better or would it just heat up faster?

I think covering the whole cage would make it stuffy but maybe covering the top would help to keep the sun and heat off.

I've just turned on the ceiling fans upstairs on a low setting but have put mats on top of the two cages underneath.

[Ria P]

Just tried to take a photo of Clive eating a bit of chilled water melon but as soon as he saw the phone he pouched it!!