Hamsters are a popular option for many pet owners. Not only do they take up a limited amount of space, but they are also pretty low maintenance in terms of ownership, and they are cute and affordable pets as well. As with many pets, it can be not easy to understand a hamster’s needs. For most owners, understanding temperature and health can be a huge problem, especially when it comes to a hamster’s temperature.
Do Hamsters Sweat? It is essential to know how humans sweat and how hamsters sweat is two different things. Sweating with hamsters is not common, but there are certain instances where a hamster can, in fact, sweat, but it is not going to make their fur look wet.
If you suspect that your hamster is sweating, it may be directly related to heat stress. Knowing what to look for, the risks involved, and how you can help your hamster are all essential steps to keeping your hamster healthy and happy.
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Do Hamsters Sweat?
While hamsters do technically sweat, it probably is not what you are thinking. While you are not likely to see your hamster sweating, this has a lot to do with the density of their fur, the environment they live in, and the actual size of sweat glands found on your hamster.
Sweating could be a result of them becoming too hot or sick, but it could also be a result of holding them in your hand and playing with them. Small things such as the size of their house or the amount of ventilation their cage has could also be causing your hamster to sweat. The most significant risk is that they are possibly overheating as it can go unnoticed by some owners, but it can result in death.
It is essential to understand your hamster. Not all hamsters will have problems with heat stress. You can also learn to identify how your hamster acts at certain times, if they are acting sluggish, you may want to monitor them or supply them with more water or cucumbers just in case they are feeling hot.
Can Hamsters Die from Overheating?
Most pets use panting as a way to cool themselves off without any help from outside sources. Sadly, hamsters do not have sweat glands. If your hamster becomes too hot, then it can pass away from overheating, or even from delirium where it may end up hurting itself.
Knowing that your hamster can die if they become too hot, make sure you are checking on them regularly and providing them optimal living conditions.
Why is Your Hamsters Neck Wet?
Most of the time, the reason your hamster has a neck wet is nothing to worry about. Situations such as condensation on their water bottle or the bottle being installed too low can cause your hamster to brush up against it. Your hamster may have just finished grooming, which would result in more wet fur than usual.
You should also know where your hamster is using the bathroom. Hamsters typically like to use the bathroom in the same area, but there are times where your hamster may urinate in their nest or tube if your cage has one. In this case, your hamster may have actually rolled in it, resulting in a wet neck. The length of your hamster’s teeth can also result in a wet neck. If they are teeth are too long, they could have trouble chewing and could drool.
While most reasons your hamster has a wet neck are nothing to worry about or quickly resolved, there may be a time when the cause could be from overheating. The easiest way to identify this problem is to see if the wetness on the hamster’s neck is drying after a period of time or if it is staying moist. If it does not dry up, then there could be a more significant issue with overheating.
How Do I Know if My Hamster is Too Hot?
Unlike many other pets, it is almost impossible to see your hamster sweat, but it does happen from time to time. If you have ever seen a dog or a cat start to pant, it means they are feeling hot and using it as a way to cool themselves off. Hamsters are not vocal animals, so it can be hard to know what they need without hovering over them 24/7.
When a hamster becomes too hot, they may display erratic behavior as a result of the stress they are feeling from being too hot. You may find your hamster running away from you, not eating, or not moving at all. You should try to help your hamster cool down as much as possible if you notice your pet is convulsing, drooling, or breathing heavier than usual.
What Temperatures Can Hamsters Withstand?
You want to make sure that your hamster is living in a comfortable part of your home. The cage should be in an area that has a temperature ranging from 65 to 75 degrees, and the air in the room needs have at least 40% humidity. You should also avoid putting your hamster’s cage in direct sunlight where they have no relief. Too much sun could cause them to overheat quite quickly.
If your hamster’s cage area falls below 65 degrees, you need to worry about possibly having the opposites reaction to overheating. Your hamster could freeze to death by going into a false hibernation. The temperature of your hamster’s home needs to be something that you check every day. There are a few ways that you can make this easier to manage.
If the room where your hamster stays fluctuates in temperature, consider adding a thermometer to their cage so that you can quickly check their environment. Another great tip is to have a cage that has plenty of space for air to flow through their cage. Not only will this keep their air fresh, but it will also make sure that both hot and cold air is able to enter and exit the cage.
How Do Hamsters Cool Down in Hot Weather?
Hamsters will typically try to drink water as a way to cool them down. If you notice your hamster drinking more water than average, you may want to spend some extra time making sure that they are okay. Since hamsters are limited to their cage, you should know how you can help your hamster cool down. You can also use ice cubes or cucumbers to make them feel like they are getting a treat while assisting them to stay hydrated.
The most natural step is to move their cage to the coolest part of the house. If there is one room or hall that tends to have less sun, move its cage to that room as soon and as safely as possible. You can also place a room temperature paper towel underneath your hamster, but you should avoid using a towel that has too much water or uses water that is too cold as it could shock your hamster.
The bed area of your cage needs to be open so that in case your hamster decides to hide in their bed, and they are still able to have air circulating around them. During hot weather, you may want to keep the sand bath you use for your hamster in a cool place, such as a freezer or refrigerator. It can help them cool down throughout the day.
