5 Key Signs to Tell If Your Hamster Is Cold
Hamsters are sensitive to low temperatures. They may experience discomfort when the ambient temperature drops below 20°C (68°F). You can comprehensively judge their condition through the following behavioral and physical signs:
1. Curling Up into a Tight Ball
A cold hamster will tuck its limbs close to its body and draw in its tail, curling into a fluffy ball to reduce heat loss. If it maintains this posture for more than 1 hour, you need to be alert to the risk of pseudo-hibernation (a life-threatening state caused by extreme cold).
2. Sudden Drop in Activity Level
It will hide deep in its bedding for long periods during the day, refusing to use its exercise wheel, explore its cage, or eat—even showing no reaction to the temptation of food.
3. Abnormal Body Temperature
When you touch its ears or abdomen, if they feel noticeably cold (but still have a faint trace of warmth), the hamster may be in a cold-induced stupor. If its body is completely stiff and icy cold, emergency action is required immediately.
4. Physical Changes
Nose: Becomes red and dry (a healthy hamster’s nose should be pink and moist).
Paws & Whiskers: Paws feel cold, and whiskers may twitch faintly due to weak breathing.
5. Signs of Pseudo-Hibernation
When the temperature falls below 10°C (50°F), hamsters may enter a pseudo-hibernation state. Symptoms include: stiff body, extremely weak breathing (you may need a magnifying glass to observe subtle chest/abdominal movements), but a still-beating heart.
Emergency Treatment & Warming Measures
If you notice any of the above signs, take immediate action:
1. Warm the Hamster
Use a warm water bag (heated to around 40°C/104°F), wrap it in a towel, and place it in a corner of the cage. Do not let the hamster come into direct contact with the water bag to avoid burns.
2. Replenish Energy
Feed it diluted glucose water (mixed at a 1:5 ratio of glucose to water) or pet-specific nutritional supplements.
3. Adjust the Environment
Bedding: Replace old bedding with a mixture of (sterile cotton balls) and paper-based bedding, ensuring the thickness is at least 5cm (2 inches) to trap heat.
Cage Placement: Move the cage to a draft-free area, away from windows or air conditioner vents.
Prevention Tips
Temperature Monitoring: Maintain the ambient temperature between 20–25°C (68–77°F). In winter, you can use a temperature-controlled heating pad (set to ≤25°C/77°F) to keep the cage warm.
Bedding Selection: Avoid using newspaper or synthetic fabrics (which don’t insulate well). Opt for dust-free paper-based bedding or short-fiber cloth strips instead.
Observation & Recording: Check your hamster’s food intake and activity level daily. Adjust your warming plan promptly if you notice any abnormalities.
Important Note: Pseudo-hibernation is easily confused with death. If your hamster has no visible breathing but its body is not yet stiff, try stimulating it to wake up by soaking its hind legs in warm water (35°C/95°F) for 10 seconds.