How do i cool off a hamster?

[twig978]

Hey i live in California and its kinda hot here an my hamster is pretty hot rigt now is there a way to cool him off? I know im not suppose to put water on him cuz he might caught a cold but its hot so can i? Is there a way? Also he isnt drinking his water. Is there away i cna get him to? Can i leave the window open for him?

[Caitandcritters]

You can freeze a ceramic tile and put it in his cage, they hold the cold really well. Also, freeze water in a water bottle and put it on top or on the side of the cage. Make sure he has cool air circulating around the room, not enough to be drafty, but perhaps a fan blowing OVER the cage? That would help him out a bit.

How hot is it there?

[CookieDough24]

The tiles and frozen water bottles are good ideas. You can also buy little mini fans, specially made for little animals like ferrets, rabbits, and hamsters. They attach to the cage and are battery operated. I don't remember the brand name, all I know is that I used one when I showed my bunnies at the fair. :)

[SuperPopple]

I also live in CA, it was crazy hot today! I agree with everything already said, what I was told before was to get a tile or ceramic plate and freeze and put it UNDER the cage, but in it works too. Make sure his water isn't too hot either, drinking warm water isn't fun. And I give my guy a teaspoon of pedialyte or similar solution in a small hard to tip over dish incase he's dehydrated at all. I figure the extra electrolytes will give him a lil' pick me up.
good luck! I know this weather is a pain for the poor little guys.

[pixibubbles]

you can freeze veggies too... preferaby big lumps that need gnawing and put in ceramic dish. you can also make a cool bag by putting rice or dried peas in a sock and knotting it aorund a few times hten sticking in fridge/freezers. females seem to like them better than males (too uncmfy on boy biuts maybe?)

Only ever put a hmaster in water in an absolute emergency (like progressive heat stroke) and even then be VERY careful and try everything else first.

hamsters are desert animals so can tkae quite high tempretures so long as ventilation is good.

in theory i suppose you could also consider sand / soil in the cage as this will simulate desert (ie stay cool). but it could be expensive as you'd have to use chinchilla sand or cleaned soil and hammies might decide to make a litter box of it lol what do other people think of this idea?

[SuperPopple]

My ham has a sandbox (I use reptile sand) and at first was digging and playing in it, but now he just uses it as a big potty. its made of an old refillable baby wipes box. lid removed. it does make it easier for me though, so i just put some odor absorbers under the sand and it does pretty good. right now its pretty warm and he is laying next to the sand box so i guess the sand is cool for him in a way