How to Keep Hamsters Cool

Yes, hamsters can easily overheat. Hamsters are such small critters; they find it quite difficult to regulate their body temperate and the slightest change in environmental temperature can have a drastic effect on them. They already have very fast pulses and respiration rates and when they get too hot these will increase and it can become dangerous.

While hamsters originate from various climates, those who live in hotter climates are very good at keeping cool and finding the best places to burrow under and take shelter from the sun. In captivity, we keep them in cages which means if it’s hot out then they might struggle to escape the heat and that’s where we need to provide some amount of cooling.

If a hamster gets too hot and can’t escape the heat, they are at risk of getting heatstroke. Due to their size, it can happen very quickly, and cases can easily become fatal. For larger pets, you may have more time to take notice and help. As hamsters are so petite and prey animals do their best to avoid looking sick for fear of predation, you may only notice when they’re quite far along.

As soon as you suspect your hamster is suffering from heatstroke, you should call your vet for advice. The sooner you can pick up on it, the better their chance of survival is. Time is paramount when it comes to bringing a hamster’s temperature back down when they are getting increasingly hot. Symptoms of heatstroke include:

While it can be difficult to notice the respiration rate on such small animals, other symptoms like saliva around the mouth are more noticeable and as soon as you pick up on any symptoms, you should call the vet immediately.

If you think your hamster is getting too hot, there are lots of different methods you can use to cool them down. Preventative measures are always much better to provide instead of waiting too long and having to try and cool them down when they’re too lethargic to eat or find shelter. 

During the summer months, be sure not to leave your hamster’s cage in direct sunlight. Not only do they become trapped in the warmer temperature, but their cages are usually made from materials like metal and plastic which can also become warm to the touch and prevent them from cooling off in the sun.

During the summer their enclosure should be placed out of the way of any windows. While it might appear to be in the shade in the morning, as the sun moves it may bathe in direct sunlight for several hours during the rest of the day. It should be placed somewhere that stays nice and shady all day so you can avoid it overheating. By placing their cage somewhere that doesn’t get too much sun you can avoid ever having to risk them suffering from heatstroke.

Hamsters will need more water during the summer as the weather will cause them to have to hydrate more frequently. Make sure to check their water bottles regularly to avoid them running out. If you notice their water isn’t decreasing in the bottle, there may be a blockage in the pipe so you may have to check this occasionally, to make sure your hamster always has access to water.

They should never have their access to drinking water restricted. If you ever worry that your hamster is at the risk of overheating and you need to cool them down, you should never submerge them or bathe them in cold water.

Placing a hamster in cold water can shock them instead of helping them and make their problems a whole lot worse. Putting them in a cool place to gradually bring their body temperature back down is much less risky.

One of the best preventatives to stop your beloved pets from getting too hot in the summer is with nice cooling treats that keep them hydrated too! Lots of hamster friendly snacks like apples, cucumber and celery can be given right from the fridge so will be nice and cold as well as super hydrating to make sure they don’t get dehydrated in the warm weather.

Plenty of fruits are veggies are hamster friendly and can be fed as part of a balanced diet while also helping to keep them cool on a hot day.

Many cooling toys might be designed with dogs in mind but can be soaked in water, frozen and provided to your beloved hamster to fight off the heat for them too.

For everything you need to keep your smaller pets cool this summer and all of your other hamster essentials, check out our latest range in-store and online.