The refreshing taste of ice-cold water on the tongue and the pleasant feeling when it runs down the throat can be a huge source of relief in the summer when temperatures typically soar.

As a caring hamster parent, it is only logical to wonder whether a few teaspoonfuls of cold water could quench your little guy’s thirst during that time of the year too.

Can hamsters drink cold water? Hamsters prefer drinking water at room temperature. Exposure to ice-cold drinking water can make hamsters feel cold resulting in signs such as shivering, shaking, lethargy, and even loss of appetite. A hamster feeling extreme cold may also pile up tons of bedding in a corner, usually close to his hideout.

The temptation to offer cold water to your favorite hammy in the summer can be high. But continuing to serve them water at room temperatures may be the best way to safeguard their health and well-being.

Can Hamsters Drink Cold Water?

Hamsters cannot drink ice cold water and should always be served room-temperature level drinking water.  

Sure, humans can enjoy a glass of chilled water at 43F or below especially during the summer when room temperatures become unbearably hot. But a typical hamster prefers water at temperatures ranging from 65-75F. 

Drinking water at low temperatures can be uncomfortable for these cute little rodents. Sometimes water may be left in a drinking bottle for some time before the hamster actually touches it. In that case, even ice-cold water could warm up considerably before consumption.

However, if the little rodent is showing signs of thirst, he’s probably ready to gulp down the provided water at whatever temperature. Either way, why risk the little guy’s health by filling his water bottle with cold water in the first place?

What Are The Effects of Cold Water on a Hamster?

Vets and experienced hamster parents recommend never providing cold drinking water for these little guys. This is because hamsters can suffer a lot of harm when exposed to water at below room temperature. Here are a few of the top reasons why cold water is not good for your precious hammy.

Extremely Low Body Temperature 

Hamsters have small bodies with fragile organs that can suffer a lot when exposed to extremely low temperatures. For instance, drinking ice-cold water may lead to a rapid decline in their internal body temperatures.

This can result in hamsters experiencing hypothermia, a potentially life-threatening condition that occurs when their bodies lose heat faster than they can produce. The affected hamster’s body temperature may reach extremely low levels resulting in even death.

Hibernation 

Hamsters hibernate when exposed to cold environments. The body shuts down normal functioning to conserve heat and energy levels by triggering the affected hamster to fall into a deep sleep.

Hibernating hamsters breathe sporadically, may feel cold to touch, and could be easily mistaken for dead. Drinking cold water can force these pocket rodents into hibernation mode. Hibernation may last 2-3 days and can be a frightening experience for many first-time hamster parents.

A good tip is to artificially increase the hamster’s body temperature via exposure to heat pads or hot water bottles in towels to help them come out of hibernation.

Compromised Respiratory Systems 

Hamsters have delicate respiratory systems and may be prone to various diseases and infections. Drinking Ice-cold water can make these pocket rodents susceptible to catching respiratory infections like the common cold.

Hamsters suffering from cold may look bored and lethargic. Additional signs that become evident in these pocket rodents when they’re feeling cold include:

• Constant Sneezing 
• Coughing
• Swollen eyes 
• Floppy appearance 
• Runny nose 

What Temperature of Water Should Hamsters Have?

Hamsters are fine drinking water at temperatures ranging from 65-75F (room temperature). As long as the water source is clean with no potentially harmful organisms such as bacteria, your hammy should enjoy the water.

Also, make sure to empty and refill the water every 24 hours. The water bottle or water bowl should be thoroughly cleaned to remove foreign materials such as bedding, hamster urine, and feces.

What Water is Best for a Hamster?

Bottled or distilled water is the best for hamsters since they’re pure and likely to be safe from contamination. The average hamster only drinks 20ml of water daily meaning a bottle of distilled water could last for days.

Unfortunately, distilled and bottled water often contains some mineral quantities. These minerals can pose problems for small animals such as hamsters when excessive amounts are ingested.

Can Hamsters Drink Tap Water?

Tap water may be suitable for hamsters as long as it is clean and not contaminated. If you have no problems drinking tap water then it should be good enough for a hamster too.

However, if the tap water in your city is contaminated or tastes so bad that you’d rather shy away in favor of bottled water, make sure your hammy is not exposed to it. Contaminated tap water can affect the little guy’s health in numerous ways including diarrhea and other infections.

Tap water may also contain excessive amounts of chlorine and minerals which may be difficult for your hamster’s digestive systems to process in the long run. 

Can Hamsters Drink Warm Water?

Supplying warm water to a thirsty hamster may be a bad idea. These pocket rodents have fragile tongues, cheeks, and throats that can easily get burned from slightly higher water temperatures.

Even during cold weather, hamsters need drinking water no more than room temperature. There are more potent ways to provide warmth for hamsters during such periods including rubbing their bodies to provide heat or even wrapping them up in towels with hot water bottles (no physical contact with the water bottle of course).

Conclusion  

You’ve discovered answers to the questions “can hamsters drink cold water ” and “can hamsters drink warm water”. Hopefully, your pet’s water bottle or water bowl will only be filled with water at room temperature from now.

Exposure to cold water can make your hamster’s life worse in many ways. It could expose the popular pocket rodent to respiratory infections, hypothermia, and hibernation. Warm drinking water can also burn the hamster’s mouth and throat, leading to injuries.