If you are here, wondering whether you should read this article or not, then you probably have a dearest hamster. Definitely, you are looking for the answer to how often you should clean your hamster’s cage.
You may also be thinking about how to clean it right and what I should need for cleaning. So many questions. But don’t worry, we will discuss everything here.
Every hamster owner has these cleaning-related questions and problems. We understand that. It is hard at first to figure out whether the cage needs cleaning or not. Of Course, if you put the cage uncleaned for many days then the smell will give you the signal to clean it immediately.
But we don’t want to go that far. We want to hit the right spot between the time of cleaning and the hygienic maintenance of the cage.
In this article, we will discuss the obvious question first. That is how often you should clean your hamster cage. Then we will move on to the big task of cleaning. We will break the cleaning process step by step and make it easier for you to understand.
We will also discuss the equipment needed for cleaning. We have gathered the best answers from long-time hamster owners. So, sit tight and relax.
First, let’s put you out of your misery and answer the most important question.
So How Often Should a Hamster Cage be Cleaned?
Once a week, the hamster’s cage should be cleaned. It might be every two weeks in certain circumstances. If you have two or more hamsters living in the same cage, you will not be allowed to leave it for two weeks.
This is because several hamsters urinate, defecate, and leave food in greater quantities than a single hamster. And it’s because of these behaviors that a cage becomes untidy. As a result, having more hamsters in a cage necessitates more regular cleaning.
Additionally, you can achieve longer intervals between cleanings if you have a really large cage. You should spot-check your hamster’s cage on a daily basis if possible. This entails removing any wet or dirty litter, as well as any uneaten fresh food, from the cage and replacing it with fresh litter.
What Equipment is Necessary for Cleaning?
Cleaning hamster cages isn’t tough, thus there aren’t many cleaning items required. Your cleaning solution, a rag, and potentially a paint scraper if there is bedding adhered to areas of the cage are all you’ll need. If you plan on toweling down the cage afterward, you may need an extra rag.
A container may also be required if you intend to soak the toys or tubes from the cage.
How to Clean a Hamster Cage?
Cleaning the cage is a bit of a big process, however, it is not that hard. If you follow the following steps carefully, you will get better results.
Step 01: Place the hamster in a separate place
Before cleaning, make sure your hamster is completely removed from the cage. While you’re cleaning, your hamster may have some fun on an exercise ball, or in a different cage or bin.
Step 02: Take everything out of the cage
Old bedding, toys, exercise stations, the food dish, and the water bottle must all be removed from the cage. Throw away the old bedding, ideally in a sealed container to eliminate odor. Any food or drink that has been left over should be discarded.
Step 03: Clean Items
To get rid of any possible germs, carefully wash anything that was within the cage. These objects must be cleaned inside and out, and they must be fully rinsed and dried before being placed back inside the cage.
If you have a complex tube system for your hamster to run about in – congratulations to you! – consider taking it apart and cleaning it as needed. Once a month maybe too often for them since taking them apart and putting them back together might be a nuisance.
Step 04: Cage Cleaning
Even though bedding and litter covered most of the cage, it still has to be cleaned. If there is bedding or litter attached to the cage’s floor or bars, scrape it off or bathe it in warm soapy water. If applicable, wipe down the cage bars as well.
The cage can be cleaned off with a dry towel to speed up the drying process or left outside to dry naturally.
Step 05: Return everything to its proper place.
Before putting anything back into the cage, make sure it’s completely dry. Fresh bedding, litter, food, and water should all be available. Your hamster companion should only be returned inside when everything has been set up.
Other aspects of cage cleaning, such as the sort of soap to use or the type of cage to use, may remain a mystery.
This is the whole cleaning process. For daily maintenance, we suggest the following steps:
- Examine the cage.
- Remove any apparent clutter, such as chewed toys or food remnants.
- Remove any damp or unclean bedding and replace it with new, dry bedding. If your hamster has a tiny litter box, clean it like you would a cat’s litter box on a daily basis.
This should just take a few minutes and will ensure that the cage is as odor-free as possible.
Final Words
So, this is it. You now know every bit of good information that you need to keep your hamster cage clean and your hamster happy. We really believe these tips will help you and provide the best living place for your pet.
Hamster cage cleaning brings with it difficulties sometimes. However, our step gives you a very easy route to clean the cage. So, don’t hesitate anymore. Make sure your favorite pet gets the best living place it can have. Happy cleaning!
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