Can a Roborovski Hamster withstand winter chill or must there be extra precaution?

Question

i just bought a Roborovski Hamster and i know that they cant stand major heat but can they stand cold winters? because i live in a cold area (connecticut) i want to know whether we need to buy extra things to keep them warm or what we should do to keep it alive.

thanks

Answer 1

I also have "Robo" hamster. I live in Utah, it gets COLD here. I've had my robo for a year now during this first winter I had with her I just kept her away from my window. If my house was a little cooler at night or even during the day I would put her a little closer to our heater vent. Not close enough to have her get too too hot and never directly in the stream of air.  I just managed her temp. by moving her away from and closer to the vents. Sometimes I'd put a warm blanket around her cage  and she was happy and active as ever.

They are friendly little Hamsters aren't they?

Answer 2

The ideal temperatures for hamsters to live is from 65 -75 degrees. If the temperature goes lower than that, provide them with deep bedding since hamsters are know for burrowing deep into their bedding and covering themselves to prevent the chill from getting to their bodies. If you are using aspen shavings, put a roll of toilet paper in their cage too so that they can rip it up and use it to make the bedding the way they like to snuggle inside.

Do not keep the cage near a window or near open drafts since the cold wind drafts are more dangerous than the temperature. If you stay in a really cold place, it would be wise to get one of those heating pads  from the pet shop that is used for reptile tanks.

Covering cage with blankets might help but my hamsters have the peculiar habit of catching hold of it through their wire cage and chewing it which is not good for them if they ingest the threads. Also when you cover the cage with blankets, ensure some openings are there to allow air circulation inside the cage.