Do you have a bad smell in your room that comes from hamsters sometimes? If you research the source further, it's probably not the cage that's causing it, but your hamster's starting to smell! While under normal conditions your hamster shouldn't need to be bathed at all as this can strip your natural oils and be bad for their health, here are some ways to clean your hamster.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Looking for Other Solutions
Step 1. Avoid bathing your hamster if possible
Only bathe your hamster if something gets stuck in its fur, or if it has been exposed to hazardous chemicals. Bathing your hamster in water will strip it of its natural oils, and this can very dangerous for hamsters!
During estrus, female hamsters also emit a distinct odor when in heat
Step 2. Clean the hamster cage more often
The best way to deal with smelly hamsters is to clean their cage more often. Before trying to bathe your hamster, first change your routine of cleaning the cage, and see if the smell subsides.
Clean the smelly area daily and change the hamster's bedding every week
Step 3. Make sure that your hamster really needs to be bathed
The only time your hamster needs to be bathed is when there is something dangerous on the fur, such as a poisonous or sticky object, or something that sticks to the hamster's body and could cause choking on its own if you clean it yourself.
If you spill a dangerous liquid on your hamster, you may need to give it a bath
Step 4. Let the hamster take a sand bath first
If your hamster is dirty but not to the point of endangering its safety, a sand bath should suffice. The hamster will roll in the sand, and the sand will naturally remove most of the dirt on its body.
- Buy some chinchilla sand at a pet store, then put it in a small bowl for your hamster to use.
- Be sure to buy sand, not powder, as powder can cause respiratory problems in hamsters.
- If you put sand in a container in your hamster's cage, be sure to check it every day, as your hamster may use the sand as a litter box.
Step 5. Make sure that there is no other way to clean the hamster's body
For example, if you have gum stuck to your hamster's fur, you may be able to simply trim the fur.
Method 2 of 3: Using a Moist Wipe
Step 1. Fill a cup or two of room temperature water into the sink
Add "one drop" of "unscented" animal shampoo to it. Wet a washcloth and put it in the sink. If it foams, it means that you are using too much shampoo. Repeat again.
Step 2. Wipe the hamster with a rag
Gently wipe the rag in the direction your hamster's hair is growing as if you were stroking it.
Step 3. Wipe the hamster's body with a clean, dry towel
Wipe the hamster's body with a very soft cloth in the direction of its hair growth to remove any excess water and moisture.
Step 4. Put the hamster back in its cage
Make sure the hamster cage clean and fresh. Also, place the hamster's cage in a warmer place than usual if you can. Make sure cold air doesn't flow inside the hamster sometimes.
Method 3 of 3: Bathing the Hamster
Step 1. Consider whether your hamster really needs a bath
Only consider this step if your hamster has come into contact with hazardous materials that need to be cleaned thoroughly, and you can't take your hamster to the vet. Hamsters often die from being bathed, either by drowning or from illness afterward. Some situations that may require you to bathe your hamster include:
- If your hamster has fallen into hazardous or toxic liquids such as disinfectants, turpentine, corrosive compounds such as acids, nail polish remover.
- The hamster's fur is coated in a material that may be toxic or cause stomach upset if ingested (non-food items such as chocolate, jam, honey).
- The hamster's body is covered with an object that is very sticky and can irritate the skin (chewing gum that can't be cleaned directly or removed by cutting the hamster's fur) or objects that can clog the digestive tract if swallowed (glue balls, putty, wax) or something that will damage the hamster's skin like urine.
Step 2. Fill the bowl with a few cm of water
If you absolutely must bathe your hamster as a last resort, prepare a bowl and fill it with a few inches of lukewarm water.
Step 3. Bathe the hamster gently using only water
Moisturize the hamster, being careful not to let the water hit his face. You can also use an unused soft-bristled rag or toothbrush to gently clean the hamster. Again, make sure the water doesn't hit or come near the hamster's face.
Step 4. Add unscented shampoo if necessary
If water alone doesn't remove any toxic or sticky materials from your hamster's body, you can add some of the unscented pet shampoo provided. Be careful to keep the water and shampoo away from the hamster's face.
Step 5. Rinse the hamster
If you use shampoo, be sure to rinse the hamster's body in lukewarm water and remove any remaining shampoo.
Step 6. Pat the hamster's body with a clean and soft towel
Place the hamster on a layer of dry towel and use the end or the other towel to pat the hamster dry. If you're wiping a towel, make sure to do it really gently in the direction your hamster's hair is growing.
Step 7. Return the hamster to its cage
Be sure to remove most of the water from the hamster's body before returning it to the cage to sleep and rest. Make sure your hamster has bedding to dry and warm him up.
Tips
- If it's your first time bathing your hamster, look elsewhere or ask other hamster owners to find out how best to clean your hamster.
- Calm your hamster while you bathe him. This will reduce tension and fear.
- Don't bathe your hamster just because you like it or want to keep it looking clean. If you want to compare the beauty of pets, hamsters are not the right choice for you.
- Start by pouring a few drops of water on your hamster's back, then give your hamster a treat as a treat to get your hamster used to water. Don't force the hamster, let the hamster get used to the water, always observe the hamster and make sure its head always be above the surface of the water so as not to sink.
- Be sure to use "Chinchilla Bath Sand" and not powder as powder can cause respiratory problems in hamsters.
- If in doubt whether you are using the right shampoo, buy one from a pet store. An experienced shop assistant can give you advice on shampooing and bathing your hamster.
- Use room temperature water.
- You can also buy scented bath sand for your hamster. Pour some into a bowl and place the hamster in it. The hamster will roll on the sand until the droppings come off.
- If you can, bathe your hamster in warm weather, as hamsters get cold easily.
- Bathe your hamster only as a last resort as bathing your hamster can cause serious and sometimes fatal health problems.
- Do not use water unless recommended by a veterinarian, as water can harm your hamster.
Warning
- Do not use any type of shampoo on your hamster as this can cause irritation.
- Bathing your hamster will stress him out and lower his immune system. Pay close attention to the signs your hamster is sick after being bathed.
- Keep in mind that if you plan to return the litter box to your hamster's cage, check the litter every day as your hamster may use it to remove waste and you don't want to.
- Do not try to dry your hamster with a hairdryer.
- In addition to chilling your hamster, soapy water can remove essential oils from your hamster's fur and skin.
- Do not let the hamster swim because if it is tired, the hamster will stop swimming and drown.
- Hamsters that smell bad may get sick. Consider taking him to the vet.
- Always consult your veterinarian before bathing your pet.
- Do not bathe your hamster unless it is necessary for his health.
