Is my hamster ill or just hot?

[Obie's Mum]

Hi,

So, Obie hasn't touched his food in 3 days and I've not seen nor heard from in that time, either. Tonight I took his cage apart and gently moved the bedding around his burrow. He poked his nose out and came out into his playpen briefly. I can't see anything visibly wrong with him; eyes are bright, coat is normal, all limbs working normally. Could it be that he's inactive due to the heat?

 

[Socks' Mum]

It is worrying when they don't eat. Will he eat a bit of cucumber or lettuce? Cooked butternut squash is also often popular and has a high water content. It may be that the heat is making him less active. If something comes up that is unusual, don't hesitate to see a vet for a check up

 

[Obie's Mum]

Thank you, Sock's Mum. Obie will take a mealworm from me. I haven't tried him with any veg, but I can try him with some cucumber tomorrow (I don't have any in). I might make him a vet's appointment in the morning.

 

[Maz]

I'm sorry to hear this and it can be worrying. However it could well be the heat and he will be snacking from his hoards no doubt. Could you maybe get him out in a playpen area or similar, and see how he is out of the cage? They often behave differently out of the cage, and he might be running around and perfectly fine. But in the cage, just trying to keep still and cool.

 

[Obie's Mum]

I did get him out in his playpen tonight. He seemed no different to normal, but soon chose to return to his cage and one of his burrows. I took the opportunity to clean out 1/3 of his cage. As he wasn't in his main burrow, I cleaned out the 3rd of his cage that included his main burrow. I didn't find any hoard in there, but the floor was littered with tiny seed husks! I think he pouches his food and carries it back to his burrow to eat. I don't think he hoards in the long-term, just in the very short-term. If this is correct, it means he's on his 3rd day without food, which is worrying. I don't really know what to do. I'll decide in the morning whether to make him a vets appointment.

 

[Amy]

Fingers crossed that he’s okay I hope it’s just due to the heat and that it cooks down soon

 

[Amy]

I bought so many things to keep my hamster cool in the heatwave, but he just refused to use them (cooling house, granite slate ect)
My vet explained it’s a natural instinct that they burry as it’s cooler under ground. They don’t understand it does not work in a cage. He suggested I push small cool pads under the cage where he had made his burrow. It worked really well. But they pads have to be small as it does get quite cold. I bought miniature pads on Amazon they were originally bought for the Bucatstate hideout (under the roof) of course he didn’t use the house, but they were perfect for sliding under the cage where he slept. I will add the link.
I am no expert with hamster care, it is just the advice of my vet and really seemed to help my hamster. I thought it can’t help to share
The main thing is: not to place them in the cage, of course, just underneath the floor

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[Socks' Mum]

I hope your vet appointment tomorrow goes well and that Obie eats well

 

[Obie's Mum]

I bought so many things to keep my hamster cool in the heatwave, but he just refused to use them (cooling house, granite slate ect)
My vet explained it’s a natural instinct that they burry as it’s cooler under ground. They don’t understand it does not work in a cage. He suggested I push small cool pads under the cage where he had made his burrow. It worked really well. But they pads have to be small as it does get quite cold. I bought miniature pads on Amazon they were originally bought for the Bucatstate hideout (under the roof) of course he didn’t use the house, but they were perfect for sliding under the cage where he slept. I will add the link.
I am no expert with hamster care, it is just the advice of my vet and really seemed to help my hamster. I thought it can’t help to share
The main thing is: not to place them in the cage, of course, just underneath the floor

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Thank you so much! I've just bought some!

 

[Obie's Mum]

Update on Obie: cleaning his cage last night seemed to perk him up! He came out, sat in his good bowl, munched/pouched some food, then went into one of his old burrows to eat it (I'd destroyed his main burrow by cleaning). He then came back out for a quick explore, found his repositioned water bowl, and had a run in his wheel! This was all around 9pm, which is very early for him; he may well have come out again later once I'd gone to bed. I think it does seem that he was just staying still in his burrow in the heat. So, no vet's appointment yet, but I'll see how he goes.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Update on Obie: cleaning his cage last night seemed to perk him up! He came out, sat in his good bowl, munched/pouched some food, then went into one of his old burrows to eat it (I'd destroyed his main burrow by cleaning). He then came back out for a quick explore, found his repositioned water bowl, and had a run in his wheel! This was all around 9pm, which is very early for him; he may well have come out again later once I'd gone to bed. I think it does seem that he was just staying still in his burrow in the heat. So, no vet's appointment yet, but I'll see how he goes.

Excellent news, I'm glad he's set your mind at rest. Eating, drinking and running in his wheel are all very good signs

 

[Amy]

Thank you so much! I've just bought some!

I wrapped them up separately each in a little plastic bag and tied a knot, I put two underneath the cage and have four in the freezer to rotate. I swapped them every few hours. I do hope Obie has a quick recovery

 

[Amy]

Update on Obie: cleaning his cage last night seemed to perk him up! He came out, sat in his good bowl, munched/pouched some food, then went into one of his old burrows to eat it (I'd destroyed his main burrow by cleaning). He then came back out for a quick explore, found his repositioned water bowl, and had a run in his wheel! This was all around 9pm, which is very early for him; he may well have come out again later once I'd gone to bed. I think it does seem that he was just staying still in his burrow in the heat. So, no vet's appointment yet, but I'll see how he goes.

Oh that’s sounds great, I am very happy for you