Summer Care Guide for Hamsters: Essential Tips for Warm
Part 1: Creating a Cool and Comfortable Hamster Cage
Summer can be a scorching time, and it's crucial to prevent your hamster from overheating. To achieve this, place the cage in a cool, wellventilated area, and take some thoughtful steps to ensure your furry friend stays cool and comfortable.
Firstly, opt for breathable and cool bedding materials. Avoid using wood shavings during the summer, as they are not only nonventilated but also tend to retain heat and harbor bacteria. Instead, consider using absorbent, odorneutralizing, and cool sand or cat litter to line the bottom of the cage. Add some choppedup freerange forest materials for your hamster to play with. If your hamster enjoys a cozy nest, provide a cool ceramic nest in a corner, where it can retreat to when feeling too warm.
In addition to bedding and a nest, set up a dedicated cooling corner in the cage. Place a cooling mat or pad in this area, as well as smooth pebbles (which must be thoroughly cleaned before use). During the hot daytime, your hamster can retreat to this corner to rest and cool down.
Part 2: Managing Your Hamster's Living Environment
Just like humans, hamsters prefer staying cool during the summer. If possible, move your hamster to an airconditioned room to enjoy the cool temperatures. However, be sure to take precautions to keep your pet warm, such as adding some warm bedding to prevent chilling from prolonged exposure to the air conditioning. Remember not to leave your hamster alone with the air conditioner running while you're at work, as this poses a safety risk. The room temperature should be kept around 25°C to ensure your hamster's comfort without causing stress to its body. As temperatures drop at night, your hamster will be active, so you can then move the cage back to a nonairconditioned area.
It's important to regulate the temperature in your hamster's living space during the summer, as overheating can be lifethreatening. For more insights into summer hamster care, check out "Hamster Summer Care Guide (Part 2)."
