Give Your Hamster a Bath

Does your room smell like a pigpen because of your hamster's cage? If you investigate the source of the smell, you may find out it's not the cage, but the hamster itself that is beginning to stink! Though under normal circumstances hamsters should never really need a bath, which can disrupt their natural oils and possibly be detrimental to their health, here are some methods of cleaning your hamster.

Steps

Finding Other Solutions

  1. Avoid bathing your hamster if possible. Only bathe your hamster if there is something stuck in its fur or if he has come in contact with a toxic chemical. Bathing your hamster in water washes out their natural oils and can seriously harm them!
    • During estrus, female hamsters can also have a different odor when they are in heat.
  2. Clean the hamster cage more frequently. The best way to address a smelly hamster is to clean out his cage more frequently. Before attempting a bath, change your cage-cleaning habits and see if the smell improves.
    • Touch up problem areas up daily and change all of the bedding weekly.
  3. Ensure that your hamster really needs a bath. The only time you should give your hamster a bath is if there is something on its coat that could harm him, e.g. something toxic or sticky on his coat or something stuck to him that he could choke on if he tried to clean himself.[1]
    • If you've spilled something harmful on your hamster, you will probably wish to bathe it.
  4. Try a sand bath first. If your hamster is not life-threateningly dirty, a sand bath should be sufficient.The hamster will roll around in the sand, and the sand will cause most dirt to fall off naturally.
    • Buy chinchilla sand at the pet store and put it in a little bowl for your hamster.
    • Make sure to buy sand, not dust, as dust can cause respiratory problems for your hamster.
    • If the sand is a permanent fixture in your hamster's cage or playpen, make sure to check it daily as your hamster may start using it as a litterbox.
  5. Make sure there is no other way to remove the problem substance. For example, if your long-haired hamster has gum in its fur, you can simply cut it out.

Using a Damp Cloth

  1. Fill a basin with one or two cups of room temperature water. Add one drop of unscented pet shampoo. Wet a washcloth and in the basin. If there are suds or any kind of lather, you've used too much shampoo. Start over.
  2. Swab your hamster with the cloth. Very carefully rub in the direction of its fur, like you would when you're petting it.[2]
  3. Wipe your hamster off with a soft, dry towel. Gently wipe your hamster with a very soft towel in the direction of its fur to remove water and dampness.
  4. Place your hamster back in its cage. Be sure the cage is clean and fresh, and place the cage in a place that is a little warmer than normal if possible. Make sure there's absolutely no cold air draft.

Bathing Your Hamster

  1. Consider whether a bath is absolutely necessary. Only consider this if your hamster has come in contact with a toxic substance that can't be spot cleaned, and you can't bring it immediately to the vet. It is not uncommon for hamsters to die from being bathed, either by drowning or because they got sick after the bath.[1] Some situations that might warrant a bath include:
    • It fell in something that was potentially dangerous or toxic such as neat disinfectant, white spirit, corrosive substances such as an acid, nail polisher remover
    • The coat got covered in something that would be toxic or cause a stomach upset if the animal groomed and swallowed it (non-food substances such as those mentioned, or chocolate, jam, honey)
    • The hamster was covered in something really sticky which could irritate the skin (chewing gum that could not be removed by spot cleaning or cutting fur) or that would cause a bowel obstruction if the hamster chewed it off the skin (blu tac, putty, wax) or a substance that would damage the skin such as urine
  2. Fill a bowl with a couple centimeters water. If you absolutely must bathe your hamster as a last resort, get a bowl and fill it with a couple centimeters of lukewarm water.[1]
  3. Bathe your hamster very gently with plain water. Moisten your hamster, taking care to keep the water away from her face. You can also use a cloth or an old toothbrush with soft bristles to gently clean the hamster. Again, make sure not to get water on or near the hamster's face. [2]
  4. Add unscented pet shampoo if necessary. If water alone will not remove the toxic or sticky substance, you can use a very small amount of the mildest unscented pet shampoo you can find. Be very careful to keep the shampoo and water away from your hamster's face.
  5. Rinse the hamster. If you used any shampoo, be sure to use plain lukewarm water to rinse the hamster off and completely remove any shampoo residue.[1]
  6. Pat your hamster dry with a soft, clean towel. Place your hamster on top of a dry towel and use the other end of the towel or a second towel to gently pat your pet dry. If you rub, be sure to do so very gently in the direction of its fur.
  7. Place your hamster back in its cage. Make sure to get most of the water off before putting your hamster back in its cage to sleep off its agitation. Make sure your hamster has plenty of substrate to dry itself on and to keep it warm.

Tips

  • If this is your first time bathing a hamster, look at other articles or talk to a current hamster owner to find the best way to clean your hamster.
  • Comfort your hamster as you bathe it. This will minimize agitation and fright.
  • Don't simply wash a hamster for fun or because you want them to be the cleanest hamster on the block. If you want to compete for beauty, a hamster isn't your thing.
  • Start by putting a few drops of water on its back and rewarding the hamster with treats to get it use to water. Do not force the hamster let it get used to water and always watch it and make sure it's head is always above water so it won't drown.
  • Make sure to use "Chinchilla Bath Sand" and not dust, as the dust can cause respiratory problems for your furry companion.
  • If you're not sure you are using the right shampoo, buy it from a local pet store. An experienced pet store attendant is a good source of advice on the shampoo and bathing methods.
  • Use room temperature water.
  • You can also buy a bath scented sand for your hamsters. Put a small quantity into a bowl and place your hamster in it. The hamster will roll around the sand causing the dirt to fall into the sand.
  • Do this on a warm day if you can, as hamsters are very susceptible to chills.
  • Bathe your hamster as the ABSOLUTE last resort, as bathing your furry friend can cause serious and sometimes fatal health problems.
  • Do not use water at all unless directed by a veterinarian because water can harm the hamster.
  • Do not put the hamster back in its cage until it is completely dry.
  • When handling a hamster always hold them gently because they are small and fragile animals.
  • The hamsters usually don't need bath as they clean themselves by licking.
  • If you have a skittish sort of hamster, you may want to get a friend or family member to help you, especially when you're drying the hamster.
  • Do NOT put your hamster in deep water.
  • Hamsters actually bathe themselves by licking.
  • If you can't find chinchilla bath sand, get children's play sand.
  • DON'T use Chinchilla Dust. Use Chinchilla Sand. Only bathe your hamster in water if you really have to or if your vet says it's okay.
  • Please do NOT bathe your hamster with water. It strips it's fur of the natural oils and makes it VERY easy for them to catch diseases, the most common and deadly being wet-tail. As a safe alternative, please give your hammy a sand bath.

Warnings

  • Do not use any kind of shampoo on your hamster as it may cause irritation.
  • Bathing your hamster will cause it stress, which can lower its immune system. Be vigilant about signs of illness after bathing.
  • Remember: If you are going to put a hamster sand bath inside your cage, check the sand every day because the hamster could be using the sand bath as a toilet and you don't want that.
  • Do not make your hamster swim, because they could get tired, stop swimming, and drown.
  • Do not attempt to dry your hamster with a hair dryer.
  • In addition to causing chills, soapy water can strip necessary oils from a hamster's fur and skin.
  • A smelly hamster may be sick. Consider taking the hamster to the vet.
  • Always double check with your vet before bathing your pet.
  • Do not bathe your hamster unless you need to for your hamster's health.

Things You'll Need

  • A bowl of lukewarm water
  • A hand towel
  • Very mild pet shampoo (only for extremely sticky hamsters)
  • An assistant, preferably one with whom your hamster is familiar.
  • Chinchilla sand and a bowl to keep your hamster clean in the future.
  • A clear space so that you can have all your materials.
  • Paper towel or napkin to pickup roaming stools.
  • Treats to reward your hamster

Related Articles

Sources and Citations

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 http://hamsterific.com/hamsterific-university/bathing-a-hamsters/
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 http://animals.pawnation.com/give-teddy-bear-hamster-bath-1011.html

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