You’ve probably heard about hamsters dying from a number of causes, but what can happen when a hamster is too hot? Are hamsters sensitive to high temperatures, and if so, can it ultimately kill them?
Hamsters can die from the heat. They’re more prone to pass away from cold temperatures, but heat can be detrimental, too. Any temperatures above 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.89°C) are too hot and can pose health risks. Anything over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.67°C) can kill them quickly.
This article discusses temperatures that hamsters can tolerate and the effects of exposure to high temperatures. Additionally, we’ll discuss how you can keep your hamster cool and the consequences of exposure to cold temperatures.
How Hot Is Too Hot for Hamsters?
Hamsters are susceptible to temperature changes. They love warm temperatures but can’t handle extremely hot surroundings, especially considering their tiny body sizes and limited organ functions. 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.67°C) is the absolute limit for hamsters.
Even if the overall temperature in your home is comfortable, close contact with a source of extreme heat can be detrimental. Some examples of this are the following:
- A heater
- Hot water or steam
- A window (when there’s direct sunlight)
- An oven
- A fireplace
You should be mindful of where you place your pet’s cage. It seems obvious not to put their cage next to your oven or stove, but not everyone is fully aware of the possible consequences, even though they mean well.
Extreme temperatures on either side of the scale can kill your pet. So, keep an eye on the temperature in their living environment, drafts inside your house, and contact with water.
What Temperatures Can Hamsters Tolerate?
The ideal temperature for hamsters is between 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33°C) and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.89°C), according to the Aspen Commons Animal Hospital website.
Different hamster species have various temperature preferences, but they all need to live in an environment with temperatures within the above mentioned range. The Winter White hamster, for example, prefers temperatures between 65 degrees Fahrenheit (18.33°C) and 70 degrees Fahrenheit (21.11°C), whereas Syrian hamsters don’t mind temperatures up to 75 degrees Fahrenheit (23.89°C).
What Happens to a Hamster When It’s Too Hot?
Overheating and, eventually, heat stroke can kill your hamster if you don’t intervene in time.
Hamsters dry out when they’re too hot, as do other animals. Prolonged exposure to temperatures that are slightly too high or even short-term exposure to extreme heat can pose significant threats to your hamster’s health.
Heat makes you sweat and lose a lot of fluids, something your body needs to function correctly. Additionally, your heart needs to pump harder to get blood to your skin, which can eventually lead to heart attacks.
Unfortunately, hamsters don’t have sweat glands, meaning they can’t cool off as effectively as humans can. This makes the cute little furballs prone to heat stress and can easily die if left in extremely hot temperatures for a prolonged period.
How Do You Know Your Hamster Is Too Hot?
The signs of overheating are obvious and align with those of other animals, including humans. However, we can find ways to cool ourselves down, which hamsters can’t do to the same extent.
You can intervene when your hamster is too hot because the symptoms are mild at first. You don’t need to start panicking immediately. We’ll discuss the signs of a heat stroke later in the article, which is a medical emergency.
These are some of the signs your hamster is too hot:
- Increased thirst
- Faster breathing
- Increased tiredness
- Decreased appetite
If you notice any of these signs in your hamster when it’s warm, you should immediately assume it’s too hot for them and cool down their environment. That doesn’t mean you should point a fan at their cage or dunk them in cold water because that could make them sick and put them at risk of dying anyway.
How To Keep Your Hamster Cool
Keeping your hamster cool is incredibly important. It’s best to avoid a heat stroke at all costs because those are incredibly unpleasant and painful for your tiny pet. Additionally, if your hamster does experience heat stroke, there’s a high risk of them dying.
There are several ways to keep the temperature of a hamster’s environment at a comfortable level:
- Keep them out of direct sunlight.
- Make sure they can always find shade in their enclosure.
- Make sure they always have cool water when it is warm.
- Don’t put their cage next to something that produces a lot of heat.
How To Save a Hamster With Heat Stroke
In an environment over 80 degrees Fahrenheit (27 degrees Celsius), your hamster is at serious risk of heatstroke, but you can save your pet from a heat-stroke-related death if you notice the signs early enough.
That’s precisely why you should be aware of the signs. As we’ve discussed before, the symptoms of overheating in hamsters are pretty obvious if you pay attention.
First and foremost, it’s important to mention that any pet with a heat stroke should be taken to a veterinarian immediately for emergency treatment.
You can cool them down right away by using cool water – not cold or warm. A significant temperature difference is a horrible idea. Don’t dunk your pet in the water; instead, use your hands or a rag to wet them lightly (all over their body).
The signs of a heat stroke:
- Rapid breathing and heartbeat
- Clammy skin
- Vomiting
- Fatigue
- Confusion
- Extreme thirst
- Hot skin
At some point, your hamster can start fainting or get seizures, but you should be able to notice the signs before it gets that bad.
Keep in mind that heat stroke happens quickly and can end a life before you know it, with hamsters and other tiny animals at higher risks of succumbing to extreme heat.
What Happens to a Hamster When It’s Too Cold?
Low temperatures can also pose a severe risk to your hamster’s health; it can eventually kill them. However, as with overheating, the signs of hypothermia are pretty obvious. You can identify it quickly and act on the signs to avoid serious health issues or even death.
How Do You Know Your Hamster Is Too Cold?
Your hamster will show signs of being too cold, even before going straight into hibernation. You can intervene to avoid their body going into hibernation, which is essential to your hamster’s health.
If your hamster is hibernating, its body will be limp, and you should immediately take it to the veterinarian.
These are some of the signs your hamster might be too cold:
- Shivering
- Slow movement
- Tiredness
- Decreased interest in food and water
If your hamster shows signs of being cold but isn’t hibernating or sick, you can make it feel better by heating the immediate environment to a comfortable temperature. Do not expose them to extreme heat as a remedy to warm their body quickly. Additionally, you shouldn’t expose your hamster to a direct heat source.
Conclusion
Making sure your hamster is living in an environment with comfortable temperatures is incredibly important if you want to keep them happy and healthy.
Extremely hot or cold temperatures can make your pet sick and eventually kill them when you don’t intervene in time.
The signs of overheating and hypothermia are evident and easy to identify. If you pay some attention, you should be able to save your pet from health problems and discomfort.