Signs Your Hamster is Cold: How to Recognize Winter Stress

Frigid temperatures can be hard on hamsters. While these small critters can thrive when conditions remain stable and comfortable, fluctuating temperatures can cause stress and, in some scenarios, be life-threatening. If winter has arrived and your pet is behaving differently, the cold weather may be to blame. It’s important to recognize signs that your hamster is cold and take the proper steps to prevent possible illness or torpor.

Do Hamsters Hibernate?

Despite common misconceptions, hamsters do not hibernate. Instead, they can go into a hibernation-type state known as torpor when they have a lack of food and/or water, or if they get too cold. When a hamster goes into torpor, they gradually begin to reduce their body temperature, heart rate, and breathing rate, in an attempt to survive the cold. Unlike an animal that’s in hibernation, a hamster in torpor can still wake up from torpor to eat.

If you’re concerned about your pet experiencing this state of inactivity, familiarize yourself with common hamster torpor warning signs:

• Hamster is cold and non-responsive
• Hamster is limp
• Hamster is breathing/moving its body

When hamsters go into torpor, it’s important to act quickly to prevent potential life-threatening side effects. Attempt to slowly warm up the hamster by putting it near something warm, such as a hot water bottle, or wrap your pet in something warm, avoiding the face area. Call your vet for further guidance.

What Is the Ideal Temperature for a Hamster?

Caring for a hamster requires pet owners to pay close attention to the safety of their enclosure, which entails maintaining a steady, comfortable temperature. Different species of hamsters have varying needs when it comes to temperature. However, most species require a habitat between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Temperatures that fall below this range can cause a hamster to go into torpor.

How Can I Keep My Hamster Warm?

If you’ve recognized signs of a cold hamster, take the necessary steps to prevent your pet from becoming ill. Keeping hamsters warm in winter requires a multi-faceted approach, starting with a heat source. If you tend to keep the temperature in your home on the cooler side, consider putting a space heater in the room where you keep your hamster. However, don’t put it too close to the enclosure, and don’t leave the heater unsupervised.

Another solution to prevent hamster winter stress is to provide your pet with a heating pad. Consider a small animal heating pad designed exclusively for animals like hamsters. The heating pad should only be in one area of the enclosure and not take up the entire floor, giving the hamster the option to move away from the heat and cool off if necessary. Heating pad covers are also available and can provide your pet with a soft place to nap.

Plenty of bedding can help your hamster stay warm in the winter. Provide a thick layer of bedding, as well as places where your pet can hide and create a nest. Small hutches and hamster hideouts are ideal. Examples of safe nesting materials for hamsters include shredded paper, unscented toilet paper, white facial tissues, and paper towels.

What are Some Warning Signs to Look for?

If your hamster gets too cold, it may begin to display some early warning signs. During the winter months, keep a close eye on your pet and look for possible red flags that your hamster may be too cold. Some common warning signs to look for include:

• Sniffling
• Runny nose
• Sneezing
• Thirst
• Half-closed, watery eyes
• Ears that are laid back
• Matted or un-groomed hair
• Lack of activity
• Curled up in a ball
• Discharge from the ears/eyes
• Fatigue

Hamsters that experience winter stress may also exhibit some behavioral changes. Some hamsters will become more aggressive when stressed and may even lash out and bite. Others will carry out repetitive behaviors, such as rolling, digging, scratching, licking, or scurrying in circles. Hamsters experiencing ongoing stress may also show signs of hyperactivity and may appear restless.

While cold temperatures are to blame for many ailments in hamsters during the winter, your pet may also develop other winter-related conditions. Shorter days and fewer daylight hours, which occur in the winter, can cause some hamsters to experience symptoms of anxiety and depression. Keeping your hamster well-socialized and in a room with lots of natural lighting can help diminish unwanted behavior.

Also, keep an eye on the overall physical condition of your pet in the winter. Hamsters experiencing winter stress will sometimes pull their fur out or over groom, leading to hair thinning or bald patches. Check your pet regularly to see if its coat appears more sparse, disheveled, or oily.

Keeping Your Pet Hamster Warm in Winter

It can be concerning to find that your hamster is behaving oddly when temperatures start to drop. Fortunately, being proactive and acting quickly when things do go astray can help reduce the risk of your pet becoming sick or going through torpor. If your hamster does experience winter stress, consult your vet about how to treat your pet or for more cold-weather hamster care information.