How do I know my hamster is hibernating?
A hibernating hamster will appear to be asleep or even dead. They will be cool to the touch and may feel limp or stiff. They will not eat, drink, or eliminate. There may be no visible heartbeat or respiration, but you may see sporadic, shallow breathing if you look close enough.
How do I get my hamster out of hibernation?
Try placing your hamster on a warm heating pad that is heated to about 90°F (32°C) for 30-60 minutes. This will help your pet warm up quickly and help them come out of their state of hibernation. If you don’t have a heating pad, try putting your hamster on a towel on top of a radiator. This will have the same effect.
What time of year do hamsters hibernate?
Captive or pet hamsters can hibernate if their habitat gets too cold, for at least 24 hours. This happens very rarely, since their habitats are warm and have plenty of food. Pet hamsters have a fairly constant temperature they live in. It rarely or never drops below 18 Celsius/65 Fahrenheit.
How long does it take for a hamster to hibernate?
The majority of times a hamster will only hibernate for 2 to 3 days. With this being said, if they continue not to have enough water, food, warmth, or light, they might stay in the torpor hibernation state for even longer. The longer they are in hibernation, the more dangerous it is for them.
Do indoor hamsters hibernate?
Most wild hamster species live in regions that do not have particularly harsh winters, so they do not naturally hibernate. However, many species that sleep in cold conditions are not experiencing true hibernation. Instead, animals like hamsters experience a process called torpor.
How can you tell if a hamster is hibernating?
If it is cold enough for your hamster to have been hibernating, look for signs of breathing. Watch very closely for several minutes, as during hibernation the breathing rate slows to as little as one breath every two minutes.
How long can hamsters go into hibernation?
How long do hamsters hibernate for? When hamsters are left alone, they would usually hibernate for 2 to 3 days, however, if the temperatures remain very low, they may be in the hibernation mode for about a week.
Should you wake a hibernating hamster?
What to do if my Hamster is hibernating. If you’ve discovered your hamster is hibernating, don’t panic. By slowly increasing the temperature in their surrounding area, or moving them if necessary, they should begin to gradually wake on their own.
How to wake up a hamster
- Move slowly.
- Adjust their environment.
- Offer them a treat.
- Talk softly or humorously.
- Gently blow on your hamster.
- Be loud.
- Shake their cage.
- Make them jump.
What to do when your hamster is hibernating?
If you find your hamster in a possible state of torpor or hibernation, first check their breathing and heart rate. Next feel for their body temperature. It may be cool to the touch. If your hamster is in a state of torpor, gradually improve the conditions, including temperature and light, to safely revive them.
Is it OK to wake a sleeping hamster?
It is best to wake your hamster as close as possible to when they would normally wake (e.g., when it is approaching either dawn or dusk). Avoid waking your hamster when he is in a very deep sleep during the middle part of the day.
How long does it take a hamster to wake up from hibernation?
If they have been in that state for 24 hours or less, they may just need to be warmed back up immediately to come out of that state. You should warm up their cage and put light around it for a minimum of 12 hours. You should also be sure your hamster has enough water and food for when they come out of the torpor state.
How long do hamsters hibernate for?
How long do hamsters hibernate ? A hamster will hibernate for as long as it is cold, and under 18 C/65 F. That can mean the entire winter and part of spring if it’s a wild hamster. Or, in the case of pets, the hamster will wake up once the temperature rises.