How to Keep Hamsters Cool and Prevent Heatstroke in Summer

1 Keeping Hamsters Cool in Summer

1. What Bedding Should You Use in a Hamster’s Nest in Summer?

First, avoid wood shavings in the nest in summer — they retain heat and are better suited to autumn and winter. Using them in hot weather not only risks dehydration and heatstroke but also causes a strong odor.

So what should you put in the nest instead?

Generally corn cob bedding or cat litter is recommended, as neither retains much heat and helps keep the hamster a bit cooler. You can also add a few small pebbles or a piece of marble; as long as they are not in direct sunlight they stay cool, and the hamster will lie against them when hot. If it is very hot and the stones are not cool enough, chill them in the fridge for a while so they are nicely cool when placed in the cage.

2. How to Help a Hamster Lose Heat in Summer

Besides cooling bedding, owners can also try the following methods.

1) Place a bowl of water beside the cage. As it evaporates it carries away some heat and lowers the temperature. The effect is minor for humans but noticeable for hamsters. The downside is faster damping of the bedding, so change bedding and clean the cage more often.

2) Many keep hamsters on balconies with direct sun and high heat. Move them to a north-facing room with good ventilation, avoid overcrowding the cage with toys, and keep it open for airflow.

3) When a hamster gets very hot it can become damp with sweat. Bathe it with a small-pet cleaning foam; removing the sweat makes it feel much cooler and also reduces bacterial infection and skin problems.