Keeping hams warm now winter is coming

[Pebbles82]

I thought I'd start this because it seems to be time to be thinking about having warmth available for our little ones now the weather is turning colder - there are always stories about a hamster going into hibernation with the cold and not always recovering.

Most people don't leave their heating on all day and all evening, so a heat lamp or a small low wattage heater in the hamster room can be good. I know many people know this already! Just thought I'd bring it to everyone's notice in case new members weren't aware of hamsters getting too cold. Obviously it needs to be safe as well, so I find the oil filled ones quite safe because there is no radiant bar (we have a little halogen heater too but I only use that if I'm in the room). Unattended heaters can be risky if you are out all day so in that case it might be better to set the heating on low for a few hours during the afternoon.

I've just started having our oil filled radiator on in the afternoons near the hamster cage. If anyone has recommendations for small oil filled radiators or heat lamps, please post them on here for others. (I know there's a similar thread on this by Piebald but slightly different topic maybe). I'd actually like something better than the one we have as ours is expensive to run, so recommendations welcome.

I've found Charlie needs to be in a heated room in the evenings and from about 2pm in the afternoon at the moment.

[Scarlett Empress]

I hope it's OK to add this here as it's not a radiator or heat lamp, but I'm getting a 'Snugglesafe' for Smokey - it's a microwavable heat pad for pets, my sister uses them for the rabbits. Not to actually put in the cage like we would for the rabbits, but to hang on the outside of the cage so the heat's not so direct. They stay warm for quite a few hours.

[Pebbles82]

That sounds good! Do you have a link? I guess it would have to be out of chewing distance.

[Scarlett Empress]

Yep here's a link for Amazon - ooh they are on offer!

SnuggleSafe Microwave Wireless Heatpad with Fleece Cover (colour may vary): Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies

I don't know if they are safe to chew - they are supposed to be OK for puppies, kittens, rabbits etc but I will definitely put mine where she can't chomp it, not near the bars!

They are great for humans too actually - sometimes I take one to bed!

[Bertiebobbins]

This is such a good idea for a post! I like to hold off putting on my heating as long as possible and put on an extra jumper, but I've put it on low now as its got quite chilly overnight. I have night storage so it's not that easy to heat the place up if you didn't turn it on the night before!

The cold definitely affects the hams - my flat is quite warm anyway and I've noticed that even with a slight drop in temperature has made Nibble behave differently, he had been getting up around 7pm for snuggles and playtime but for the last week or so he's been hiding in his nest, which has also become so spectacular as I've been giving him loads of toilet roll every night to compensate for the cold. I turned the heating on the day before yesterday and yesterday evening he popped out at 7pm just like he had been before it got colder.

[cypher]

Apart from any extra heating they might need I always keep a nice thick fleece blanket underneath all my cages in winter, it's surprising just how much difference a little extra insulation can make.

[Pebbles82]

That sounds like a good idea too. Bertie - that's what made me think yesterday - we'd been putting thick jumpers on and it occurred to me Charlie can't do that! He needs a bit of warmth in the room.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

I like the idea of the snugglesafe two nights ago Fudge moved into his grass near house for extra warmth. I have noticed a big drop in the temp over here and I'm worried because my room can get quite cold in the evenings even with the heat on as I'm right beside our garage. So defo might look into this.

[Golden_Syrian_Hammmies]

*grass nest house

[racinghamster]

Good thread Serendipity. It`s good to bring this up sometimes just as a reminder to owners who may not actually realise that temperatures are on the downturn. Being in Scotland I can feel it already! I keep the central heating on low all day and it`s off during the night. So I tend to regulate it during the day, keep my bedroom door closed and the window blinds low to prevent cold air wafting in. Chubs sleeps all day anyway so I barely see him!

I like cypher`s idea of placing some fleece under the cage to help with insulation. I have a small pet blanket to I will use that idea! Heat pads and matts can be used, but ideally, I would only use them if the hamster was old, ill or in a room that tends to feel cold even when the heating is on. But be aware of the overall temperature and have a thermostat near the cage. I have a retro horse head thermometer and it reads 20c/70 degrees farenheight at the moment. Although it feels chilly in the air inside my room. Poundland sell thermometers to hang on the wall near your hamster cage.

I would say as long as the room has heat in some form, hamsters will moderate themselves inside a cosy nest. I use (and highly recommend) Supreme Cosi n Dri for your nest area. It`s a bit like Carefresh but a better, less dusty product. Absorbent too. Ripped up white toilet paper mixed in or any of the available paper based beddings.

Keep your cage away from direct draughts like beneath a window or open door, but remember too that allowing air to circulate is important.

If your hamster is frail or older or has been ill recently, moving their food dish and water closer to their nest area means they don`t have to be out too long to get food/water. Chubs gets waited on every day and I leave his little pieces of raw veg at his door and they disappear without him emerging! x