It’s that time of year again here, it’s nippy on the nose, chilly on the cheeks and dangerous for hamsters who can slip into a state of torpor if they get too cold. This can look like the hamster is in hibernation or even look like the hamster is dead. It is not necessarily fatal but can lead to starvation or hypothermia.
There are already some great resources out there on torpor so I’ve listed just a few.
http://www.hammysworld.com/index.php?p=hibernate
https://youtu.be/o66s2INAAGI
https://101hamster.wordpress.com/other/all-about-hamster-hibernation-torpor/
The main take-away from all the information out there is to keep your hamster’s environment warm in winter and take precautions for any sudden dips in temperature (failure of heating, power cuts etc).
In the same way as you likely have a fire plan worked out for your household, take time to make an assessment and a plan for the cold. You’ll be surprised how much of it may benefit the humans in the house too!
Assess the position of your hamster habitat,
Is it in a direct draft? Against an outside wall that’s vulnerable to damp? Can you move it, draft proof it, have a barrier between the wall and habitat.
Is it in a room on its own so you are sometimes unaware of the temperature? Would it be better elsewhere or can you make sure that there are regular temperature checks through the day. Realistically, even if you only go in to say ‘hi!’ you will feel if it is colder than the rest of the house but a room thermometer is good too.
Does your heating go off when you are out and come back on when you come home? If so, how cold does your house get in that time? Check it out when you are around, make sure it doesn’t drop further if you are delayed for a few hours. Maybe a timer needs to be fitted or adjusted.
Once their location is checked out you can should make sure there is plenty of hamster-safe substrate in their habitat, to make a cosy nest. Have a spare heater for their room or at least a pet heating pad on hand for emergencies and a system to place it safely with your hamster ( A pet-safe heating pad can also be a life saver in other pet medical emergencies for easing shock).
If your home is prone to power cuts then you may want to investigate an alternative to electrically heated methods. Have a safe plan before it happens and it may just help to warm your toes as well as keeping your hamster safe.
I am sure there are many other tips out there, so if anybody wants to add some, feel free.
Silly Degu 