How to keep a hamster cool

[Amy]

I ordered a very interesting hideout from Bucatstate on Amazon (13 euros on offer) were you can take the lid off and insert a small ice pad on hot days. 6 ice pads cost 7 euros. I thought it may be helpful on very hot days. I thought I would share it with you, not sure if it’s already been reviewed

 

[Maz]

That's lovely Is it a new one? I haven't seen that one before? I have a different Bucatstate terracotta hide with a similar removable lid and gap where you can put a cooling pack - it's a tall one and doesn't seem to be made any more I think.

 

[Amy]

That's lovely Is it a new one? I haven't seen that one before? I have a different Bucatstate terracotta hide with a similar removable lid and gap where you can put a cooling pack - it's a tall one and doesn't seem to be made any more I think.

I just bought it on Amazon. It’s nice and big, some of them are rather small for a Syrian it’s was on offer, I thought might as well try it.

 

[Amy]

This little house is a winner he took to it straight away. I listened to Max advice and added shredded toilet paper. He has taken some out, pouched it and taken it to his burrow. I hope that doesn’t cause him problems. He spends more time investigating his cage than running in his wheeI think he is settling in.. he seems fine otherwise, eating, grooming and drinking. But he takes a nap in the cage in the evenings, I was worrying yesterday. But he has no diarrhoea and his wee is seems good. It’s more worry than having a baby

 

[Maz]

Aw glad he likes it One of mine used to use his ceramic hide as a place to stash special treats He was so funny to watch. If a special treat (eg half a walnut or peanut and papaya cookie) was put it he would shake with excitement. Dither a bit deciding whether to take it to his house or his treat pot, (he had to decide it it was for the special pot or not) and then rush over to the ceramic hide and deposit there. Most of mine just sit in their ceramic hides for a wash. And yes they usually really like the paper strips and pouch them

 

[Amy]

Aw glad he likes it One of mine used to use his ceramic hide as a place to stash special treats He was so funny to watch. If a special treat (eg half a walnut or peanut and papaya cookie) was put it he would shake with excitement. Dither a bit deciding whether to take it to his house or his treat pot, (he had to decide it it was for the special pot or not) and then rush over to the ceramic hide and deposit there. Most of mine just sit in their ceramic hides for a wash. And yes they usually really like the paper strips and pouch them

Thank you for you good advice I took the old bedding out as soon as I noticed that he liked the toilet paper. You should have seen his little cheeks! They were popping I am so glad that he’s okay, and just calming down. You were right about the wheel too… the novelty has worn off. I am so grateful for your help

 

[Amy]

How are you all dealing with the current heatwave? 🫪 it’s awful here only 29 degrees but so humid, if you got out you melt

 

[Socks' Mum]

Slouching around with books and You Tube in between responding to worried looking guinea pigs. My cooling unit is working nicely, but we still need lots of ice bottles, ice pods, a slate and cool mats on rotation. I'm OK with the heat
But the piggies aren't fond of it

 

[Maz]

How are you all dealing with the current heatwave? 🫪 it’s awful here only 29 degrees but so humid, if you got out you melt

My hamsters are fine as our house is old and draughty and doesn’t get that hot inside. And maybe our neck of the woods isn’t as hot as yours.

A fan can help and also rotate a couple of mugs or ceramic hides between fridge and enclosure, so the hamster has somewhere cool to go.

 

[Amy]

Slouching around with books and You Tube in between responding to worried looking guinea pigs. My cooling unit is working nicely, but we still need lots of ice bottles, ice pods, a slate and cool mats on rotation. I'm OK with the heat
But the piggies aren't fond of it

Yes those fans are great. I have managed to keep the temperature down. I have done nothing today, the same just books and YouTube

 

[Amy]

How do you check to see if your hamster is okay in hot weather when it is in its house? Do you lift the lid to check by doing this, disturbing them, or do you just hope for the best and wait until they come out?

 

[Maz]

I just wait till they come out. Sometimes they will sleep outside of the house or nest if it's very hot and just lay in one place - eg a sand bath or cool tile. At one time we lived in a house where the living room window didn't open and it was very hot. I had the hamster out in the room and left the fridge door open for a while ha ha. Not very good for the food but there wasn't much in there.

 

[Amy]

I just wait till they come out. Sometimes they will sleep outside of the house or nest if it's very hot and just lay in one place - eg a sand bath or cool tile. At one time we lived in a house where the living room window didn't open and it was very hot. I had the hamster out in the room and left the fridge door open for a while ha ha. Not very good for the food but there wasn't much in there.

It’s so unusual that he’s not sleeping in his nest

 

[Maz]

Where is he sleeping?

 

[Amy]

In his mch, but I think he’s gone back down in his nest.

 

[Amy]

I found this on Amazon, I have not ordered it cause I know it won’t be used, but I thought the idea is good (if you have a hamster who likes hideouts)

Marchul Hamster-Versteck, Kühlendes Versteckhaus, Hamster-Sommernest mit Edelstahl-Bodenplatte, Hamsterhaus zur Terrarium-Dekoration : Amazon.de: Haustier

Marchul Hamster-Versteck, Kühlendes Versteckhaus, Hamster-Sommernest mit Edelstahl-Bodenplatte, Hamsterhaus zur Terrarium-Dekoration - Finden Sie alles rund um ihr Tier bei Amazon. Gratis Versand durch Amazon schon ab 29€.

amzn.eu

 

[Maz]

That looks interesting! It's a clever idea. I think I'd be a bit worried it might get a crack and leak all over the hamster!