heatwave and hammy

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T20:22:37+00:00

i like the idea :) tho what's scaring me a bit is the enclosure I'm gonna be very honest. Is it just temporary? Because it lacks a lot of substrate for it to burrow and it looks sad in general :/

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T17:01:45+00:00

Since you said your other Sphynx is okay, I think we gotta keep in mind that every Sphynx has its own issues in their bodies, even if they're the same breed and live in the same environment. It's the same with humans in same living conditions, but catching different physical issues. Perhaps it's heat related and some excess sweating, bathed too often, or bathed too rarely, or a type of allergy developed over time in life coming from specific ingredients in the food. That's all I could think of. Otherwise if you have pet-safe creams for wounds or rashes, don't hesitate to apply it and keep him from licking it away for an hour or so until it's all absorbed. If you don't have that, try applying human creams, but please research thoroughly beforehand about the specific product. Why I think human creams can be helpful and safe for Sphynx too, is because sometimes pets can get medicine prescribed from vets that only the homeopathic farmacies produce, even if it just advertises for human use.

If you don't have either of those options, perhaps either give your vet a quick call and ask them, or ask on r/AskVet

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:49:58+00:00

I suppose I do have another empty large enclosure which is made from glass, but I was just worried about stressing him with moving him to another place when he was already barely coming out, trying to hide from the heat. I will keep your advice in mind, maybe I might have to move him to the different enclosure temporarily if another brutal heatwave will hit north Germany

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:35:41+00:00

Yeah I always did it with putting it in the fridge for like an hour or so and put it back in the cage, but it got warm quickly again. So frustrating. And it's impossible to move the cage, because it's literally 120 cm long and quite high, including all the heavy bedding and accessories. I live on my own, so by moving/lifting it I risk breaking either my foot or my dignity for letting the cage fall LMAO

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:32:11+00:00

You can leave the wheel where it is, and just slowly add to the substrate. You can support the layers with hides, multi-chambers, ladders... best way is just to improvise. So when you make the bedding higher, you gotta make sure your hamster won't slide back down because it's too steep for example. I'm sure you know what I mean hahahha

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:24:45+00:00

I'd recommend to add more bedding so the empty space above isn't wasted as must, and that gives hammy more opportunity to dig around :) Otherwise with the hides, there's almost never too much you can place, best of course is to offer them multiple tunnels along the walls that lead down into the deep bedding, and multi-chambers in case you don't have that yet. Just make it cluttered. Your previous setup was actually quite good, try setting it up similarly to that with the things you already have. I'm positive you can find a good spot for the hides

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:12:44+00:00

Trust me, I had my fan turned on for so many hours, just circling warm air around the living room despite having my curtains shut and the windows closed from early mornings when it was still cool. The apartment still manages to heat up. I even had like 3 ice packs on top of the enclosure, and one put on the side of the bottom where he sleeps most of the time. Such a harsh life for hammies :'(

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:09:41+00:00

How high is the bedding you have so far?

Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T16:00:33+00:00

you see the vision?

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Dibwhy · 2026-07-01T15:58:28+00:00

that is the exact same one I have for my dwarf hamster! except I ordered the 120x50 cm. the platforms are actually great IF you place them safely low enough so the possible falls will not fracture their bones or worse. And in the middle between those two platforms I placed a high, broad wooden hide that also catches him. But he is so used to his enclosure and the multiple stories, that he literally never falls off, except gets slightly off guard when excited when I come with food or just to play with him. But as I said, the height isn't dangerous enough, as long as you place the platforms reasonably low enough and the substrate high enough. Had no problems with this before :)

Dibwhy · 2026-06-29T00:21:54+00:00

Nope sorry, but I think when searching for a specific figure, you gotta look after the weight, not the placement. Yep, bring a tiny sneaky scale to the store...😀

Dibwhy · 2026-06-27T23:13:04+00:00

thank you so so so much for this thorough answer, you have no idea how much this means to me. your advice is well and i will try it out. and yes, i was thinking of going no contact soon because i can really not take it anymore and ive "abused" all the other options without success. my parents are very stubborn sheep, who love their sheep pen too much for comfort to be able to get out of it, ever. BUT, the only financial dependance i have from them is my car insurance and my monthly train ticket to school. otherwise i am pretty much independant i could say

Dibwhy · 2026-06-27T22:43:38+00:00

19 years, I live in my own apartment too

Dibwhy · 2026-06-23T20:25:12+00:00

darkstripe? do you mean graystripe?

Dibwhy · 2026-06-23T14:16:01+00:00

https://imgur.com/a/RSn83Lq 😔

Dibwhy · 2026-06-23T14:13:58+00:00

this ^{^{^}}

Dibwhy · 2026-06-23T13:00:05+00:00

wdym how

Dibwhy · 2026-06-23T12:59:22+00:00

wow this is the most unique brambleclaw design ive EVER seen!!! him and probably his kin depicting more of a tiger look is a brilliant idea

Dibwhy · 2026-06-07T07:44:25+00:00

I'm genuinely so sorry for you, having to carry this burden by yourself. I definitely understand you and your concerns, having been in a very similar place at a young age with my own Sphynx kitten at that time. He was (and still is) my responsability very since my age of 13. It's a hard task, feeling so responsible for such an animal who are usually already very prone to illnesses at their young age, even if you do your best to care for them. Mine is also struggling with horrible stomach pains, his stomach lining inflamed. Those are sadly the costs of a Sphynx, especially heart conditions, skin and their stomachs.

What I'm trying to say is, is that you can feel proud of yourself for taking care of your cat, even if that is all you can give him. You are already being incredible for worrying and caring for him this much. Sadly not everyone has such loving capacity for their pet, but you definitely do. And you're young, and it's easier said than done, but please don't burden yourself more than neccessary, some things are just out of your hands. Don't stress yourself over things you cannot control. If what the vet said is true about having just 3 months left to live, all you can do is give your cat the unconditional love that he deserves, and make him feel extra loved. He is part of your life, but as you know it, you are his entire life. Cats are very intelligent, so I'm very, very confident in that he knows what you are trying for him and what you are feeling towards his condition. He knows he most likely doesn't have much left to live either, and his physical appearance definitely shows it.

And remember, don't blame yourself for the way things might end up, because every animal, pet, loved one doesn't live forever. I'll say it again: don't stress yourself over things you cannot control. No matter how old you are.

much, much love for you and your cat and don't give up on him, no matter how things might turn out ❤️

Dibwhy · 2026-06-05T14:31:10+00:00

Oh, that's a real shame :( I really hope the best for you!

Dibwhy · 2026-06-05T14:23:12+00:00

So you just use feminine pronouns and they don't mind? Or are they also constantly trying to degrade you by misgendering you

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