Does your room smell like a pigsty because of the hamster cage? If you examine where the smell is coming from, you may find that it is not the cage that stinks, but your adorable pet! While hamsters should never bathe under normal circumstances, as it may alter the natural oil in their fur and even be harmful to their health, here are some ways to bathe your hamster.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Come up with Other Solutions
Step 1. Avoid bathing the hamster if you can
You should only wash it if something has stuck to its fur or if it has come into contact with a toxic chemical. By putting it in water, in fact, you will eliminate the natural sebum that protects its coat and risks seriously harm your health!
When females are in heat, they can also give off a different smell
Step 2. Clean the cage more often
The best way to deal with hamster odor is to clean the cage more often. Before trying to wash it, change how often you clean its container and see if the situation improves.
Refresh the most problematic areas every day and change the material inside every week
Step 3. Make sure she really needs a bathroom
The only time you should wash your cat is when there is something stuck to the fur that could harm it, such as a toxic or sticky substance, or something that could choke it if it tried to clean itself.
If you've spilled something harmful on your hamster, it probably needs to be washed
Step 4. Try giving him a sand bath first
If your hamster isn't dirty enough to risk his life, sand should be enough. By rolling around, it will be able to free the hair by making the dirt fall.
- Purchase chinchilla sand from a pet store and pour it into a small bowl.
- Make sure you buy sand, not dust, otherwise it could cause breathing problems for your pet.
- If the cage is designed to permanently contain sand, try to check it every day, otherwise the hamster may start using it as a litter box.
Step 5. Make sure there is no other way to remove the substance that is creating the problem
For example, if a piece of chewing gum is stuck on your hamster's long coat, you may want to shorten it only in that spot.
Method 2 of 3: Use a Damp Cloth
Step 1. Fill a basin with one or two cups of room temperature water
Add a drop of fragrance-free pet shampoo. Dampen a cloth by dipping it in this mixture. If a little foam or bubbles form, you have used too much shampoo. Start over.
Step 2. Dab the hamster with the cloth
Rub it very carefully, following the direction of the hair, as when you stroke it.
Step 3. Massage it with a soft, dry cloth
Gently dry it with a soft towel, always following the direction of the hair, to remove water and moisture.
Step 4. Return him to his cage
Make sure it is clean and fresh, so place it somewhere a little warmer than usual if you can. Absolutely avoid that there are drafts of cold air.
Method 3 of 3: Bathing the Hamster
Step 1. You decide to bathe him only if the animal has come into contact with a toxic substance that cannot be eliminated easily and if you do not have the possibility to take him to the vet right away
It is not uncommon for hamsters to die under these circumstances, both because they risk drowning and because they get sick after taking a bath. Some cases in which it may be necessary to wash it completely are the following:
- Has fallen into a potentially dangerous or toxic substance, such as a strong disinfectant, white spirit, or corrosive liquids, including acids or nail polish remover.
- The hair has become covered with some substance that could be toxic or cause stomach pain if the animal licks and swallows it (substances of non-food origin, such as the aforementioned or chocolate, jam, honey).
- The hamster is all covered in a very sticky substance that could irritate the skin (such as chewing gum that cannot be removed locally or by shortening the fur a little), which would cause intestinal obstruction if he gnawed it off (like glue, putty, wax) or a substance that would damage the skin, such as urine.
Step 2. Fill a bowl with a couple of inches of water
If you have no other solution than to give him a bath, take a bowl and fill it with a little warm water.
Step 3. Wet it very gently with water only
Moisten it taking care not to wet the muzzle. You can also use a cloth or an old soft-bristled toothbrush to wash your pet slowly. Again, make sure the water does not come into contact with the muzzle.
Step 4. Add fragrance-free pet shampoo as needed
If water alone doesn't remove the toxic or sticky substance, you can use a small amount of a fragrance-free and gentler pet cleaner you can find. Again, move very carefully so that the shampoo and water stay away from the muzzle.
Step 5. Proceed to rinse
If you have used shampoo, rinse the hamster with a little warm running water to completely remove any residue from the product.
Step 6. Blot it with a soft, clean cloth to dry it
Place the hamster on the edge of a dry towel and use the other end of the towel or a second towel to gently pat it dry. If you rub it, try not to be too energetic and follow the direction of the fur.
Step 7. Return it to its crate
Make sure you have drained most of the water out before returning it to the cage, where it can work off the agitation caused by the bathroom. Also check that there is enough substrate inside for it to dry well and keep warm.
Advice
- If this is your first time bathing your hamster, read other articles or talk to people who own a hamster so you can find the best way to clean your pet.
- Comfort it while you wash it. This will lessen the agitation and fear he feels.
- Don't bathe him just for fun or because you want him to be cleaner. If you want an animal to have a beauty contest, the hamster is not for you.
- Start by running a few drops of water on his back and reward him with a few treats to get him familiar with the water. Do not force him to get used to contact with water, check him constantly and make sure his head comes out always so that you don't drown.
- Be sure to only use chinchilla bath sand and not dust, as this can cause severe respiratory problems for your furry friend.
- If you are unsure about using the right shampoo, purchase one at a pet store. An experienced sales assistant is a great source of advice on shampoo and washing methods.
- Use room temperature water.
- You can also purchase scented sand for bathing your hamster. Pour a small amount into a bowl and place the animal inside. The hamster will roll in the sand causing any dirt trapped in the fur to fall.
- Bathe them on a hot day if you can, as hamsters are very sensitive to cold.
- Only wash it thoroughly if you have no other choice, as this can lead to serious and sometimes fatal health problems.
- Don't use water at all unless your vet told you to. Water can be dangerous for a hamster.
- Do not return it to the cage until it has dried completely.
- When you pick it up, always hold it very gently because it is a small and fragile animal.
- Usually, hamsters don't need to bathe because they use their tongues to clean themselves.
- If you have a temperamental hamster, it would be wise to ask a friend or family member for help, especially to dry them.
- Do not completely submerge the hamster in water.
- Hamsters actually wash themselves by licking.
- If you can't find chinchilla bath sand, get the one you use for kids to play.
Warnings
- Bathing stresses the hamster and can weaken its immune system. Once you have finished washing it, monitor it to see if it is experiencing any discomfort.
- Remember that if you plan to put bath sand inside the cage, you need to check it every day, as the hamster may use it as a litter box.
- Do not try to dry the hamster with a hairdryer.
- Do not use any shampoo, as it could cause irritation.
- Always take him to see the vet before giving him a bath.
- Do not force him to stay in the water because he may get tired, stop swimming and drown.
- In addition to making it cool, the soapy water neutralizes the sebum present on the hair and skin.
- If your hamster smells bad, it may be sick. Consider taking him to the vet.
- Do not bathe him, unless strictly necessary for his health.
