Small animals such as hamsters can generate a far greater smell than you would expect from such tiny creatures. The best way to get rid of it is to clean the cage once a week; however, you can also take other steps to make the cage less stinky, such as training your pet to use the litter box.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: Clean and Deodorize the Cage
Step 1. Put the hamster in a safe place
The ideal place is the carrier for small animals; cat is effective if the metal mesh of the door has small enough meshes to prevent the rodent from escaping. Alternatively, you can use the hamster ball, but make sure you can keep it under control.
Consider wearing gloves during the procedure so as not to spread germs
Step 2. Remove everything
Take toys, balls, hiding places and remove them momentarily; shake the substrate in the garbage bag. Make sure you don't throw it in the kitchen bucket, as small animals can carry bacteria such as Salmonella.
Any object in the cage can smell; it is therefore important to wash them all, including toys and accessories
Step 3. Use mild soap to clean the cage
Before deodorising it, you must clean it with a specific product for hamster cages or with a neutral detergent; for example, you can use dish soap and hot water. Wash everything thoroughly, including bowls of food, water, and all other accessories.
- Avoid cleaning in the kitchen, as this could spread bacteria; the ideal is to wash it outside or in the bathtub.
- Use a sponge and a dedicated product exclusively for this purpose, even if you are using dish soap.
- By using a mild soap you can get rid of most of the feces and urine while deodorizing the cage.
Step 4. Perfume it
Get a cleanser that also eliminates odors. You can use a multipurpose product that performs both functions or apply a soap first and then the deodorant; for example, enzymatic products help perfume the cage.
Baking soda or vinegar are simple solutions that you can use after cleaning the cage with soap and water. To use the baking soda, spread some of it in the enclosure and rub it all over with a damp sponge; if you use vinegar instead, pour some on a sponge with which you rub the cage
Step 5. Rinse thoroughly
Once cleaned, be sure to thoroughly rinse the cage and all accessories; you must not leave any trace of detergent that could harm the hamster.
- The rinse eliminates any odor that could annoy the pet; It's true you don't want the cage to smell like hamster, but it doesn't have to smell like detergents either.
- Wait for the cage to dry before putting your pet back inside.
Step 6. Insert new substrate
If you want to use wood chips, you should prefer poplar as the other types could be harmful to the small rodent; alternatively, you can use scrap paper with wood chips or create a substrate with recycled paper.
- You can use other plant substrates you find in pet stores that are absorbent; just make sure you choose a natural one and not a synthetic one.
- If you opt for waste paper, check that it does not contain ink; however, be aware that this material does not absorb odors as well as other types of plant substrate. Poplar hides odors better than paper, but does not absorb as well as other types of natural substrate; remember that the more absorbent the material is, the more it tends to hide odors.
- To make sure it is suitable for the hamster, you can put it in an airtight bag and leave it in the freezer for two days; in this way, any mites present die.
Step 7. Wash your hands
When finished, be sure to sanitize them carefully to avoid spreading possible bacteria.
Method 2 of 3: Keep the Smelly Area Clean
Step 1. Clean the cage once a week
The best way to prevent it from stinking is to wash it often; work at least once a week to minimize odors.
- If you have trouble remembering this, set an alarm on your mobile for cleaning time.
- Incorporate cage cleaning into regular household chores, so you remember to do it every week.
Step 2. Spread a layer of baking soda
Spray it on the bottom of the cage to absorb odors; remember to put it on before adding the substrate.
Baking soda is perfect for giving the cage a fresh smell, also because it is readily available on the market and very cheap
Step 3. Always use fresh substrate
Remember to change it every time you clean; if you try to reuse the same, you increase the chances that you stink.
- It is important to replace it, as urine and feces accumulate over time, even if you have a litter box set up.
- However, some people recommend adding a little old substrate to the new one to allow the hamster to readjust into the cage.
Step 4. Try using supplements
You can find these products for small rodents at pet stores; these are substances that help reduce hamster odors and minimize smells in general.
- Usually, they contain Yucca schidigera or are based on amino acids.
- Although more research is needed to know its effects on hamsters, they are generally safe products.
Step 5. Promote good room ventilation
If possible, circulate a lot of air to get rid of the bad smell; you can open the windows or turn on an air conditioner.
- Alternatively, you can turn on an air purifier.
- Optionally, you can also install a better centralized air filtration system.
Method 3 of 3: Using the Litter Box
Step 1. Train your hamster to use the litter box
This is a useful solution to prevent the cage from stinking; in this way, you can change more frequently only the part of the substrate that emits the most bad smells.
Not all hamsters learn how to use it; however, it's worth a try if you want the room to smell better
Step 2. To begin, clean the entire cage
When finished, observe where the hamster tends to urinate, so that you can place the litter box in the same area.
- To figure out which area your hamster pees in most often, you need to look for wet or dirty parts.
- You should notice lumps of substrate.
Step 3. Purchase or set up a cassette yourself
You have several alternatives; you can buy one specific for hamsters or build a handcrafted one.
- You can find litter boxes online or in pet stores.
- Alternatively, you can use a cardboard box or plastic, glass or ceramic saucers. The boxes absorb urine and you can eventually throw them away, but the hamster tends to gnaw on them; to make this type of litter, you can simply shorten a box of tissues. Plastic, glass, and ceramic containers are also fine, but the hamster may stay on the edge and urinate outside.
Step 4. Fill the cassette with substrate
Add sand or small animal litter. You can use kinetic sand if necessary, but you must first sterilize it; Traditional cat litter is fine too, but it could be quite expensive, although it is perfect for absorbing odors.
- If you use kinetic sand, be sure to sterilize it by placing it in the oven and "cooking" it at a low temperature for an hour or two; you can also keep it in a large covered bucket to take it out of as needed.
- At pet stores you can find chinchilla sand which is already sterilized but is more expensive; hamsters like the feel of sand under their paws.
Step 5. Place the box in the corner of the cage that the hamster uses as a "bathroom"
Fix it in the area where the animal has already satisfied its physiological needs; it can be helpful to put a little dirty substrate already imbued with the smell of the animal.
- Your goal is to exploit the rodent's habits; if he has already chosen a place for his "toilet", you can use it to train him better.
- The presence of the dirty substrate in the litter box can help because it has a familiar smell that encourages the animal to use the same space.
Step 6. Change the substrate
Although it is necessary to do more often than cleaning the cage, you should not replace it every day. The hamster is a creature of habit and if you change its habitat too often, it may get agitated.
- Instead of changing the entire litter box, you can simply use a scoop and collect traces of feces and urine (if you see any wet spots).
- When the substrate starts to shrink, replace it.
