How to warm up a very cold hamster

[GoodHeavensNoImAChicken]

Hi all

We have a lovely 6 month old Syrian hamster who’s been through a lot recently. She had wet tail, had a very dramatic decline when she keeled over onto her back with her legs in the air (cue hysterical crying from the household) before we got her to the vets for treatment.

She’s now fine, but so thin. I’ve been feeding her lots of food, including carrot sticks (her fave) peanut butter and sunflower seeds to fatten her up. Our house is also v cold and old and I’m worried she’ll go into hibernation. Any ideas how to warm her up? I’ve popped a blanket over her cage tonight but it isn’t a huge improvement. Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thank you!

What about an electric heater on overnight?

I used to put a hot water bottle into the cage for half an hour and cuddle hammy in the meantime, then take it out and put her back in. She loves it and used to snuggle.

Might not help for tonight if you don't have one, but do you have (or can you buy) a heated electric blanket? They do them for pets (although it doesn't need to be a pet one if you want more use from it later) and you could put the cage on top so it gives it a gentle heat from underneath.

I got a heated pad from the pet shop sorry, it’s an amazon link
I got a bigger one for my cat but you stick it in the microwave for a few mins and although it’s got a cover I pop it under another towel.

Put the cage close to a radiator? Or on top of a hot water bottle.

Whatever you use make sure it's chew proof! I wonder if those charcoal heat pads would work on the wrong side of the plastic base?

Thanks all, some helpful stuff here. I do actually have a heat pad but it’s at my parents as their cat used to use it. I’m not nearby up here and won’t visit for a few weeks but I will get that when I can.

She does need to be nearer a radiator but unfortunately we don’t really have a suitable spot :(

Any other suggestions welcome!

Can you keep the heating on low overnight? Move cage away from window or door. Put plenty of torn up tissue in for her nest so she can be warm.

Is she eating normally now? Stage 1 baby food is good for a weak hamster but only if the diarrhoea has cleared up. Something like "sunday lunch", one teaspoon a day should be plenty.

Airing cupboard or near the boiler?

if you have an excercise ball, plug up holes in the bottom of it, to keep wee and poo off you, put bit bedding to soak wee/poo up and put hammy in, then take her to bed with you to snuggle so she can get your body heat. You'll need to make sure she still gets air in the ball and hopefully if poorly she won't be too nocturnal

A hot water bottle is something low tech that would help. Put some warm water in an empty bottle on top of the cage if you don't even have one of them.

A stone hot water bottle?

I’ve popped a hot water bottle under one side of the cage- don’t want her to overheat either! Thanks all