They Can Freeze to Death
If hamsters are placed outdoors in winter, they do have the possibility of freezing to death due to the cold. Here are the specific reasons and relevant suggestions:
Hamsters' Sensitivity to Low Temperatures
Hamsters are very afraid of the cold. When the environmental temperature drops below 5-10°C, their lives may be at risk. Low temperatures can cause hamsters to become sluggish in their movements, lose their appetite, and even enter a state of pseudohibernation. If the temperature is too low and lasts for a long time, hamsters may die because they are unable to maintain their body temperature.
The Difference between Pseudohibernation and Death
In a cold environment, hamsters may curl up into a ball and enter a state of pseudohibernation. At this time, hamsters still have a heartbeat, but their vital signs are weak. If the owner finds that a hamster is in this state, immediate measures should be taken to restore its body temperature, such as placing it on a hot water bag to warm it up slowly. However, if the hamster has already lost its heartbeat, it may have unfortunately passed away.
Suggestions for Raising Hamsters in Winter
Avoid Outdoor Raising: Never keep hamsters outdoors in winter, as the cold environment directly threatens their lives.
Provide Warmth Measures: When raising hamsters indoors, you can lay more bedding materials like wood shavings for them. Equip them with wooden or straw huts, or provide napkins for hamsters to build their own nests.
Pay Attention to the Environmental Temperature: The most suitable environmental temperature for hamsters is between 20°C and 28°C. Avoid temperatures that are too low or too high.
Other Precautions
Do not use items woven from cotton thread as a nest for hamsters, because hamsters may bite off the cotton thread and get entangled in it, leading to suffocation or other injuries.
Ensure that the raising environment has good ventilation, and at the same time, avoid direct sunlight or strong winds.
In conclusion, hamsters will freeze to death if placed outdoors in winter. Therefore, owners should pay special attention to providing them with a warm and comfortable living environment and avoid exposing them to low-temperature environments.