4 replies to this topic

[Zula]

I was wondering whether long haired hamsters are more prone to heat based problems during summer due to their coat, or whether it’s pretty similar to a shorthaired’s likelihood?
I would have thought they would, but I don’t believe I’ve ever heard anywhere saying whether they do or not.

Thank you!

[Sparrow]

I wouldn't think so, no. Long haired syrians are usually not fully covered in long fur - you mostly just see a skirt and a few longer tufts of hair in random spots but majority of their body does not have so much more hair that it would make a significant difference to their ability to regulate their body temperature.
I also found that male long haired syrians, who generally have the longest coat, also have a thinner coat than females or shorthair syrians. The coat doesn't appear to be as thick and dense, to the point where it wouldn't be uncommon for their skin to be showing easily. This is based purely on first hand observation over the years so take it with a grain of salt, as every hamster is different.
If you, or anyone, is worried about their long haired hamsters during the summer, there is always the possibility of trimming down the coat, though it might be completely unnecessary. Still, it wouldn't harm the hamster in any way and it might provide you with some peace of mind, so might be worth doing even just as an extra precaution.

[Kikya]

I wouldn't think so, no. Long haired syrians are usually not fully covered in long fur - you mostly just see a skirt and a few longer tufts of hair in random spots but majority of their body does not have so much more hair that it would make a significant difference to their ability to regulate their body temperature.
I also found that male long haired syrians, who generally have the longest coat, also have a thinner coat than females or shorthair syrians. The coat doesn't appear to be as thick and dense, to the point where it wouldn't be uncommon for their skin to be showing easily. This is based purely on first hand observation over the years so take it with a grain of salt, as every hamster is different.
If you, or anyone, is worried about their long haired hamsters during the summer, there is always the possibility of trimming down the coat, though it might be completely unnecessary. Still, it wouldn't harm the hamster in any way and it might provide you with some peace of mind, so might be worth doing even just as an extra precaution.

I agree with Sparrow. I have two long haired boys and they seem fine in the summer. I don't notice that they get warmer than Mabel who's a short hair.

Edited by Kikya, 04 March 2022 - 08:21 PM.

[Imogen]

I love me a bum fluff hamster

I've heard they do pretty well and are just like short-haired.

Edited by Imogen, 04 March 2022 - 10:01 PM.

[Zula]

I wouldn't think so, no. Long haired syrians are usually not fully covered in long fur - you mostly just see a skirt and a few longer tufts of hair in random spots but majority of their body does not have so much more hair that it would make a significant difference to their ability to regulate their body temperature.
I also found that male long haired syrians, who generally have the longest coat, also have a thinner coat than females or shorthair syrians. The coat doesn't appear to be as thick and dense, to the point where it wouldn't be uncommon for their skin to be showing easily. This is based purely on first hand observation over the years so take it with a grain of salt, as every hamster is different.
If you, or anyone, is worried about their long haired hamsters during the summer, there is always the possibility of trimming down the coat, though it might be completely unnecessary. Still, it wouldn't harm the hamster in any way and it might provide you with some peace of mind, so might be worth doing even just as an extra precaution.

  

I agree with Sparrow. I have two long haired boys and they seem fine in the summer. I don't notice that they get warmer than Mabel who's a short hair.

I love me a bum fluff hamster

I've heard they do pretty well and are just like short-haired.

Thank you for this, it’s quite interesting especially since in the wild they don’t naturally have long fur, and so it isn’t an adaptation or required for anything particularly. My past longhaired did seem to be a little more uncomfortable in the warmer months, though he was always a very frail ham, especially in comparison to my two other previous Syrians and so it was most likely more of a coincidence or down to poorer genetics.

If anything, Zula who had the shortest (but extremely thick) fur struggled most with the heat out of all my hamsters/mice. (I did make a variety adjustments to keep her as comfortable as possible).

Thank you again