A quite common query amongst many hamster house owners is: Do Hamsters Hibernate? Many hamster house owners discover their pets in a dormant state, and consider their hamsters to be both hibernating or lifeless. Nevertheless, the reality is, hamsters don’t technically hibernate. As a substitute, they could enter a “lethargic” state, through which their bodily features turn into briefly slowed down.
Kind of Hamster
Relying on which kind of hamster you may have, you will have to strategy a hibernating hamster’s state of affairs otherwise. For instance, for those who personal a dwarf hamster, the sort of hamster is often not recognized to hibernate. Against this, in case you have a Syrian hamster, it’s good to rouse them out of hibernation instantly, since they could finally die if left on this state. In the event you personal a golden hamster, your hamster will turn into lethargic at a temperature round 10 levels Celsius.
Causes for Hibernation
There are numerous issues that will trigger a hamster to enter a state of seeming “hibernation”. The most typical trigger is an excessive change in temperature, both to scorching or chilly. To deal with this variation, a hamster might enter a lethargic state. Nevertheless, some hamsters might go into hibernation on account of lack of water, stress or an current well being situation.
Is my Hamster alive or lifeless?
When a hamster is hibernating, it could be troublesome to discern if they’re nonetheless alive. Even for those who choose up a hibernating hamster, they’ll often not reply to your contact. Nevertheless, a hibernating hamster will nonetheless have to breathe. To examine in case your hamster continues to be alive, maintain them within the palm of your hand, and watch their whiskers for a number of seconds. In a hibernating hamster, the whiskers will twitch barely.
Rousing a Hamster from Hibernation
Although generally you could enable your hamster to come back out of hibernation or a lethargic state on their very own, you might have to provide them a little bit of assist. In an effort to assist your hamster to come back out of hibernation, make sure that they’re in a heat inside room with no drafty home windows or doorways. If vital, partially cowl your hamster with a view to protect physique warmth. Place your hamster’s cage in an space that’s hotter than the remainder of the home. Along with this, you could use a small medication dropper stuffed with water or a candy electrolyte resolution to aim to get your hibernating hamster to drink.