lilac fawn dwarf hamster

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Dwarf Hamster Care

Basic Care: Cage Cleaning

| Housing | Bedding | Nesting Material | Cage Cleaning | Exercise | Teeth | Food | Costs | Handling |

Advanced Care:

|Things to Consider | Gender | Pairing | Housing | Baby Care | Campbells Dwarf Hamster Genetics

Comfort wheel soaking in soapy water in the kitchen sink.
running wheel soaking in sink with soapy water

Cleaning Tips:

  • Clean cages weekly
  • Use warm white vinegar to remove any mineral deposits left on cage bottoms. This is also a great odor neutralizer
  • Cleaning your hamsters water bottle daily and refilling it will keep bacteria blooms from occurring which might make your hamster ill.
  • Is your hamster dirty too? Go to the clean hamster page.

Cage Cleaning

The general rule no matter how many hamsters you have in a cage is to clean it at least once a week. The bin or cage should be emptied once a week and washed thoroughly with water and soap (or other anti-microbial agent). Let the cage sit for 10 minutes once you have scrubbed it so that the soap will have a chance to kill bacteria. Then rinse and dry the cage thoroughly before putting the hamster back. Try to pick up a small portion of your hamster's sleeping nest and set it aside. They do not like their nests disturbed so it is much kinder to give part of it back once cage cleaning is over. Just taking a little tissue from the top which is cleaner will do as the hamsters scent should be on it.

My favorite cleaning agents are hot white vinegar or grape fruit seed extract as it breaks down waste well and is pretty cheap. A 2 oz bottle can be purchased at almost any health food store and the cleaning solution can be made in a spray bottle by adding 30 drops in an 8 oz bottle of warm water. GSE can also be purchased online at http://www.nutriteam.com

If your hamster has babies, DO NOT clean the cage until the babies are 10 days old. If you do it before this, you run the risk of the mother eating her young. Even when the babies are 10 days old, it is better to carefully scoop up the nest and set it in a bowl. Then clean the cage and put the nest back. This will cause the mother the least amount of stress. If you must, start with an entirely clean cage with none of the old nest, the mother will probably run around with her babies for awhile but usually will settle back down.

All pictures on this site are copyrighted by Odds and Endlers. Any unauthorized use is strictly prohibited.