How To Keep Your Hamster Warm In Winter [It’s This Easy!]

Summertime isn’t your hamster’s best moment of the year, and so is winter. As a hamster owner, it’s your job to make sure your hamster is safe in case there’s severe temperature. 

You kept your hamster cool during the summer, well done! However, winter is now upon us, and it’s time to do the opposite. In this article, we will talk about how to keep your hamster warm enough during the winter months. Follow the advice of this article, and your hamster will be just fine!

But just before we delve into today’s main topic, let’s first look at whether or not hamsters feel cold and what temperatures work best for your pet hamster.

Do Hamsters Feel Cold?

Yes, hamsters do feel cold. In fact, as desert animals, your hamster is more naturally adapted to living in a warm temperature than in cold temperatures. That means you have to do all it takes to maintain ideal temperatures for these little friends when temperatures drop.

As much as you have to keep them cool during the summer, you also have to keep them warm during the winter. The good news is that maintaining an ideal temperature for your hamster is easy, and we will be looking at that shortly. But first, what’s the best temperature for hamsters?

What Are The Best Temperatures For Hamsters?

The best temperature range for your hamster are between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. However, hamsters can still be in good health if the temperature is a bit lower than 65 and or slightly higher than 72.

When temperatures drop below 65 degrees, you might need to go an extra mile to make sure your hamster is safe from freezing temperatures. That’s very likely during the colder months, and that’s why you have to find a way to keep your hamster comfortable. 

How To Keep Your Hamster Warm In Winter

As we’ve said before, winter is the coldest season of the year. During winter, make sure you keep your hamster’s environment at a comfortable temperature between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Colder temperatures can cause a sudden drop in your hamster’s body temperature, which may put your hamster at risk of developing more serious illnesses. 

There are a number of ways you can keep your hamster house comfortable to avoid exposing them to extreme temperatures.

They include;

Proper Diet

Your hamster doesn’t only need food to give them the energy to run on the wheel, but also to keep them warm when temperatures begin to fall. During the winter, give your hamster food with higher fat content to help warm them up.

However, before you do that, it’s good you first consult with your vet on whether the decision is a healthy one for your hammy.

Proper Placement Of The Cage

Placing your hamster cage near windows and doors is one way to keep your hamster cool during the summer. However, when winter rolls around, it’s time to move your hamster’s house far from the windows and doors.

Make Use of Heating Pads

Heating pads are reliable methods of keeping your hamster’s environment warm. A nice heating pad will go a long way to keep your hamster warm without making them too hot. So yes, ensure that you pay attention to how much heat the pad produces.

Use Heat Lamps And Bulbs

Heat lamps and bulbs provide a warm and cozy home to keep your hamster snug in the cold months of winter. If you’re not familiar with these products, they include ceramic heat emitters, spot lamps, and infrared bulbs.

Make Use Of Portable Heater

Another way of maintaining a comfortable temperature during winter is by using a cage heater. A good portable heater will heat your hamster’s house to the desired temperature. And with one that has automatic temperature control, it will keep the ambient temperature at a more comfortable temperature range for your hamster’s comfort. 

Cover the Cage With Blankets

Blankets work just like they do when we talk about keeping ourselves warm during winter. If you have blankets, use them when setting up your hamster cage in winter to make sure your hamster has a warm place to rest.

A Season To Exercise Your Hamster

Exercise will cause your hamster’s body to generate heat, which in turn will help make the hamster warm. However, during exercise, make sure you place them on a surface that won’t lead to injuries if they fall from a great height – tunnels and hamster oil are a perfect choice. Also, make sure they don’t stay in the cold for extended periods of time. 

Get A Small Nest For The Cage

Another surefire way to keep your hamster pet warm during winter is by placing a small nest inside the cage. This way, your hamster can curl up and sleep in a warm environment. Just make sure that the nest you get doesn’t have any sharp edges that might harm your hamster’s delicate body.

Time For Extra Bedding

Adding extra hamster bedding to their cage will also go a long way to keep your hamster warm during the colder weather. Much more like using a mat on the floor when it gets cold, extra bedding will help shield your hamster from the cold surface.

Cage Insulation

Another way to keep your hamster warm during the winter is by insulating the cage itself. One of the best ways to do this is by using newspaper on the walls and roofs. This will help trap some of the heat, thereby keeping inside the cage hot for as long as possible.

What Happens If Hamsters Gets Too Cold?

What happens to hamsters when they get too cold is that they hibernate. Hibernation involves very deep sleep, and can be dangerous to your hamster. If they remain hibernating for too long, it will cause them to die as their organs slowly shut down.

Other than that, your hamster might also get respiratory infections if not given the proper warmth during the cold season. These infections can even lead to death in some cases.

For these reasons and more, it’s important that you pay close attention to the warmth of your hamster’s habitat, and the tips mentioned in this article will be of help.

Signs That My Hamster Is Cold

Even as you make sure your hamster’s cage is properly heated, it can be tricky to make out whether or not they are cold. If you suspect that the hamster might be cold, here are some of the warning signs to look out for!

Fur fluffing

This facial expression is an obvious sign that the hamster might be too cold. If you see one, double-check the cage for warmth immediately.

Shivering

Another sign that your hamster pet might be cold is when you see them shivering. If this happens, make sure to bring your hamster inside and give them heat immediately.

Hibernating

If your hamster appears to be sleeping very deeply, then he/she may just be in hibernation mode. It’s so deep that you may first think that your pet hamster has passed away. Hibernation is a serious sign that requires you to take action immediately.

Final Conclusion

To conclude this article, hamsters need a place to live that’s warm and cozy because the cold season can be just as dangerous for them as it is for humans. To make sure your little furball has warmth in the cold seasons, consider the above tips to keep them cozy and warm.