How to Clean the Hamster Cage?

Hamsters tend to urinate in one corner of their cage, so you can take advantage of this habit to keep the cage cleaner. By placing a small container of absorbent material in the area in question, you will encourage the animal to use it regularly as a "toilet".

The cage cleans up thoroughly about once a week, after transferring its occupants to an escape-proof safe place (eg a high-walled bowl) and out of reach of dogs and cats. Litter should be discarded as well as food stuffed and nesting material. The cage is thoroughly washed with warm water and soap; it can be disinfected with diluted bleach which is allowed to act for a few minutes.

Rinse thoroughly and put the whole to dry. For many cheap hamster cages, it can be convenient to wash them in the tub, so they can be easily rinsed with the shower jet. Feeders and troughs will also be emptied, washed with soap and water, and soaked in diluted bleach.

Before reuse, rinse under running water. Other plastic objects (house, wheel, etc.) or wood will be washed and rinsed, while those in cardboard will be replaced by others, clean and new.

When the cage is dry, fill the bottom of a new bedding, place the nesting material inside and dispense a small amount of fresh food. Once reintroduced into the cage, hamsters will work for several minutes to rebuild a nest and sometimes to build food reserves to replace those lost.

Some minor maintenance operations must finally be carried out every day: eliminate perishable foodstuffs (fruits, vegetables, other fresh food), check the proper functioning of the trough, check that there is sufficient food available, clean the "Toilet corner".

How to Wash a Hamster?

Hamsters are naturally very clean and hygienic animals. Like cats, they spend more than 20% of their days grooming their skin. For them, this is part of their daily routine, and grooming indicates that they feel good at all levels.

The way in which hamsters clean themselves is so effective that there is really no need to bathe them. Moreover, immersing them in the water or "showering them" is neither appropriate nor healthy for them. Today, we will tell you.

Wash or not wash your hamster?

As mentioned above, it is not recommended to bathe your hamster regularly. By dipping it in large quantities of water, you would remove the natural oils that protect your skin and act as regulators of your body temperature. Nature is very wise!

If he is very dirty or has residues hanging on his skin, you can give him a bath every 2 or 3 weeks. It should be a particular type of bath, for which you have several options. If your hamster has short hair, the process will be simpler. In addition, molting will not be so dramatic. On the other hand, if you have a long-haired hamster, try brushing it with a soft bristled brush.

Three types of bath for hamster

1 - Dry bath

Go to a hamster supplies store and ask for a special dry shampoo for rodents. Do not use any product available in the supermarket, there is no substitute. Back home, grab a small towel, such as those used to dry your hands or a little larger, and gently place your hamster.

Spread the shampoo all over his body except the head, pay attention to his eyes, his nose, his ears and his mouth. Use a soft brush and give it a nice and gentle massage, to help spread all the shampoo evenly. Brush as well in the direction of the hair as against-hair, little by little, eliminate all traces of dirt and product.

2 - Sand baths

This option is the easiest for you and the least stressful for your pet. This is the version of the bubble bath for hamsters. Place in your pet's shelter a large container filled with sand (you can buy it at a pet store). It will have to be big enough so that your hamster can get in and feel comfortable, but not too much, to fit in his shelter.

This is one of the reasons why you need to provide a suitable environment for your pet. Your hamster will love to roll in the sand and it will be a great way to remove any dirt on your skin. You can buy the container in any supermarket.

Remember that the sand must be specifically designed for rodents (the chinchilla sand will work very well) and must be sterilized.

3 - Bath with water

Choose a shallow container and always use warm water. Avoid wetting the head of your hamster and do the process as gently as possible. Indeed, the bath could be stressful for your pet.

In soap or shampoo, buy a special for hamsters or rodents. Do not leave a lot of time in the water, try to be fast and efficient. Once the bath is over, immediately dry your hamster with a towel and keep it warm and comfortable.