Transporting a Hamster 160 miles in 90F Weather

HadjiQuest

Thread title says it all.

Help!

I have to take my Hamster back home with me from school today, and it's hovering between 90 and 95F out right now. I know the fellas get heatstroke easily, so I'm trying to figure out a way to help him. My car's AC is completely shot, so that's not an option. It's just over a two hour drive with no stops.

I was just out driving for about 10 minutes to get gas, and I'm completely covered in sweat already. I don't think he has a chance. What are my options? Has anyone else had to do this?

matt has a problem

Fill an insulated cooler with bags of ice and put a layer of his bedding on top of it maybe? And leave the lid open, of course.

Officer 1BDI

Would it be possible for you to hold off the trip until this evening, when the sun's gone down and the temperature's dropped a bit?

HadjiQuest

Officer 1BDI wrote: »

Would it be possible for you to hold off the trip until this evening, when the sun's gone down and the temperature's dropped a bit?

That's what I'm going to try and hold out for, but it's still supposed to be in the high 80s at sundown.

I guess it's a record hot day for the Northeast part of the country.

matthasaproblem wrote:

Fill an insulated cooler with bags of ice and put a layer of his bedding on top of it maybe? And leave the lid open, of course.

That is good advice. I was going to do something similar with a cardboard box (the best I have) and frozen peas (ditto). But I didn't think of putting some under his bedding. Would that be too cold, or good? My roommate also suggested putting an ice cube or two in his water bottle to keep it cold as well.

bowen

80s should be fine. Hamsters are susceptible to high temps and sudden changes in temps. So I'd avoid doing it in the Sahara. They don't do too well with drafts so you may want to put a thing sheet over his cage to protect him from that. Other than that he should be fine bro.

Platy

I'd advise against putting him inside a cooler together with bags of ice, chances are this will kill him, make him fall ill or enter hibernation. They're small animals and they lose heat easily. I'd be more concerned about the stress of the journey than the temperatures. Is transporting him inside his cage not an option? Staying inside his burrow would also help him stay cool.

Canada_jezus

I have a piece of marble in my storage closet to put in my guinea pigs cage. The stone being colder etc etc. Not sure if this would work or how dangerous it would be in a moving car but still maybe something to consider

HadjiQuest

Platypus Beirut wrote: »

I'd advise against putting him inside a cooler together with bags of ice, chances are this will kill him, make him fall ill or enter hibernation. They're small animals and they lose heat easily. I'd be more concerned about the stress of the journey than the temperatures. Is transporting him inside his cage not an option? Staying inside his burrow would also help him stay cool.

I've been sitting here for the last couple hours waiting for it to cool down a little (it's in the mid 90s here right now).

I think what I'm going to do is put his entire normal cage into a cardboard box filled with some frozen peas. Since it's a moving car, I'm going to take his wheel out as well. Hopefully it cools off in the next hour, because I have to leave by then.

mts

just turn the AC on.

HadjiQuest

mts wrote: »

just turn the AC on.

My car's AC is broken.

Platy

Transport him inside his cage so that he doesn't get stressed. Also keep it shielded from direct sunlight. He should stay inside his burrow for most of the trip and everything should be fine.

HadjiQuest

Ok, I've put his cage inside a larger box, and I'm going to line the box with a couple bags of frozen peas.

Will let you know how it goes.

HadjiQuest

OK, he's a little shaken up, but he's still hanging out and eating and playing.

The peas and waiting till nightfall worked well.

This is solved, mods can lock it.