There are several ways to help hamsters cool down in summer:
Environmental Adjustments
- Ventilation: Make sure the hamster cage is placed in a well - ventilated area, away from direct sunlight. You can use an electric fan or air - conditioner to assist with cooling, but be careful not to let cold air blow directly onto the cage.
- Bedding Replacement: In summer, use cool and highly absorbent bedding materials like ceramic pellets, paper pellets, or corncobs. Avoid using heat - retaining bedding such as wood shavings.
- Adding Cooling Facilities: Place a marble or ceramic plate inside the hamster cage. Also, set up a shade net or a small awning to provide a cool resting space for the hamster.
Dietary Adjustments
- Drink More Water: Ensure there is an adequate and fresh water supply. Change the water at least once a day and clean the water bottle to prevent bacteria growth. You can appropriately add some foods with high water content, such as watermelon rind (remove the red flesh), cucumber, etc. But be careful to control the amount to avoid diarrhea.
- Light Diet: In summer, reduce the intake of high - calorie and high - fat foods. Provide more vegetables, fruits, and high - quality hamster food. Add a proper amount of ingredients with heat - clearing and detoxifying effects, such as mung bean soup (sugar - free, shell - removed mung bean water) to help the hamster reduce internal heat and relieve summer heat.
Health Monitoring
- Watch for Behavioral Changes: High temperatures may cause symptoms like loss of appetite and listlessness in hamsters. Once any abnormalities are detected, promptly check and adjust the breeding environment. Consult a veterinarian if necessary.
- Regular Cage Cleaning: Maintaining the cleanliness of the cage is of particular importance. Replace the bedding regularly and wipe the surface of the cage with a mild detergent.
Specific Cooling Items and Techniques
- Ice Packs and Cooling Mats: Place ice packs or cooling mats near the hamster cage. They cool down by absorbing heat through evaporation.
- Terracotta Pots and Water Beads: Soak water beads until they expand, put them in a bottle with water, freeze them in the refrigerator overnight. Then wrap them in a towel, put them in a terracotta pot, and place the pot in the hamster cage.
- Ceramic and Aluminum Nests: Use ceramic or aluminum nests. These materials have good thermal conductivity, allowing the hamster to dissipate body heat by lying on them.
- Fruit - based Cooling: Appropriately feed the hamster some fruits like alfalfa, apples (remove seeds), asparagus, avocados (remove skin and seeds) to help them cool down.