If you have a hamster as a pet, one of the things you'll have to do on a regular basis is clean their cage. But how often should this be done? In this blog post, we'll answer that question and also give some tips on how to make the process easier.
It's important to keep up with the cleaning schedule so that your hamster stays healthy and happy! In this blog post, we'll discuss the best way to clean a hamster Cage and what you need to do it. Stay tuned!
How often should clean your hamster cage?
It may seem as if a hamster's cage does not need to be cleaned at all. But you will find that after time, the bars of the cage and other items in it start to smell.
Exactly how often you should clean your hamster's cage depends on the number of rodents living in there. For a single Syrian hamster, a full cleaning should be done every week, if not more frequently.
For a pair of Syrian or dwarf hamsters, full cleaning should be done at least twice a week. If you're keeping a single hamster in a large cage, your rodent might need to be cleaned once a week.
When it comes to dwarf and Chinese hamsters, they're not as messy as Syrian hamsters, but they still need to be cleaned once a week.
What should you use to clean your hamster's cage?
There are many products on the market that specialize in cleaning small animals' cages. You can buy them in a pet store near you. The good news is, all these products are safe for your hamster as well as humans, so there's nothing to worry about there.
These products can eliminate odors and will leave your hamster's cage smelling fresh and clean. Also, you can use a disinfectant spray along with warm water for an extra-clean feeling.
How to clean a hamster cage?
1. Place your hamster in a secure location
When you begin to clean the cage where your hamster is living, make sure it's well protected. If there is another hamster present, move it to an isolated location. This way, both of them will be okay and no fights will happen during the cleaning process. Baby hammies should always be taken care of separately. Never go to the bathroom while your hamster is free in the room or even if it's in his cage - you could step on him, for example.
2. Prepare all the cleaning supplies
You will need quite some items to prepare your hamster cage for deep cleaning. A clean garbage bin with a lid. A trash bag. Baking soda. Paper towels, dish soap, 7% bleach solution, sponge, or washcloth.
3. Wash the cage with hot water and baking soda
Put your hamster in a bin and start filling it with warm water - not hot! Add some baking soda to the water so that it can bubble and dissolve the dirt from the cage. Soak all of your hamster's accessories in this baking soda solution, including water bottles and hideouts. Leave them there for a few minutes to let them soak.
4. Clean the surfaces of the cage
Take off all accessories that you can take apart before cleanings, such as ramps or houses. Every part of the cage must be wiped with a damp cloth and then dried.
5. Clean the inside of water bottles
Fill one bottle with dish soap and another one with 7% bleach solution - if you want to use different solutions, make sure to label them properly so that you won't mix them up. Soak all the bottle components in these solutions for a few minutes. They must be thoroughly rinsed afterward.
6. Wash the hamster's accessories
Items that you can take apart should again be soaked, this time in warm water with dish soap or just regular soap, and then scrubbed carefully to remove all dirt. For the hard-to-reach places, like the insides of tunnels or houses, use a cotton swab.
7. Remove all bedding and clean it too
One by one, remove every part of the hamster's nest - this includes wood chips, hay, or any other material that is comfortable for your pet to sleep in. Put them into a large bin and fill it with cold water. Let this soak for at least 2 hours so the materials can get saturated completely. If their color changes, you might have to use soap while scrubbing them into cleanliness. Rinse the bedding afterward until all of the soap is gone.
8. Replace all accessories that are made of wood or cardboard
Wood and cardboard pieces can become moldy really fast, so it's best to replace them with other materials. If you want to use pieces made of wood or cardboard, make sure to clean them thoroughly before putting them back inside the cage.
9. Clean the surfaces of the cage one last time
Use a fresh cloth with only water or a mixture of vinegar and water to wipe down the surfaces once again. Let them dry completely before putting your hamster back in his cage.
Conclusion
The whole cleaning process should have taken you between half an hour to an hour, depending on how much work it was for you to take apart all accessories inside the cage. You need to repeat this process every week to maintain the cleanliness of your pet's living quarters, but cleaning a hamster cage is a lot easier when you're prepared and know what's coming.
