Hamsters and gerbils are vulnerable to overheating during spells of hot weather.

A comfortable temperature for most pet hamsters and gerbils is generally around 18–24°C, so extra care is needed when indoor temperatures rise significantly above this range.

Heat stress warning signs

Watch out for these signs of heat stress:

Rapid or shallow breathing

Lethargy or weakness

Lying stretched out and unresponsive

Excessive drooling

Red or flushed ears (particularly in hamsters)

Wobbling or difficulty moving

If you spot any of these signs, move the cage into the coolest room possible and contact your vet.

Tips for keeping small pets comfortable in a heatwave

1. Move the cage to the coolest room

Find the coolest room of the house, with ventilation and move the cage there.
Always keep cages out of direct sunlight.
Close curtains or blinds during the hottest part of the day.
Avoid conservatories, loft rooms, and sunny windowsills.
Use a fan to move air around the room, but never blow air directly onto the cage.

2. Ensure there is deep, dry bedding

Both hamsters and gerbils naturally spend much of their time underground in burrows where temperatures remain more stable than above ground. Providing deep bedding and cool hiding places helps mimic these natural conditions. Gerbils originate from arid environments and often cope with warmth slightly better than hamsters. However, gerbils can still overheat in prolonged high temperatures.

3. Provide a cool surface

Many small pets enjoy lying on cool objects. You could try adding a ceramic tile, slate coaster or ceramic plant saucer into the cage. (These should be cleaned thoroughly before putting in the cage).

4. Provide suitable shelters

Remove plastic houses from the cage as these can more easily overheat. Instead use houses made from natural and ideally breathable materials. At Nelly’s we sell a range of shelters for small creatures made from natural materials. We also recommend our ceramic small creature houses like the Burrow & Squeak Acorn/Cloud/Cat Ear Hide, these are great for temperature regulation with the ceramic remaining cooler in warm weather.

Our sturdy cardboard tubes are also great for use in a heatwave, adding shelter with excellent airflow.

Ceramic small creature shelters at Nelly’s

5. Ensure access to fresh water

It is always important to provide fresh water for small creatures, but especially important during a heatwave. Make sure bottle nozzles are not blocked and regularly replace the water.

6. Cool the area around the cage

In extreme heat you could wrap a frozen water bottle in a towel and place it near the outside of the cage. This can create a cooler zone without making the enclosure damp or cold.

Do not place ice packs directly inside the enclosure where pets can chew them.

Quick Heatwave Checklist

Fresh water available at all times

Cage out of direct sunlight

Curtains closed during peak heat

Ceramic tile or cooling stone provided

Good airflow in the room

Check pets regularly for signs of overheating

Avoid unnecessary handling during the hottest hours

How to keep hamsters & gerbils cool in a heatwave