How to Clean Out a Hamster Cage

Like any small animal, hamsters rely on their human owners to keep their cage clean, bug-free and smelling fresh. A properly cleaned cage won't smell at all, and it'll also help protect your little friend and keep him happy. We're going to look at some ways to make this as easy and as thorough as possible.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Your hamster and his cage
• Fresh bedding
• Fresh food
• A hamster ball

1. First, get your hamster out of the way. Put him in a hamster ball, and let him run while you clean out the cage. It's important not to clean his cage every time you put him in, though, or he's going to be loathe to leave his cage.

2. Remove all of her toys and dishes, and take out the water bottle. Now is a good time to fill the water bottle with fresh water, even if it's still almost full. Dispose of the old bedding and any food that might be left in the cage.

3. Wipe out the bottom of the cage with a wet paper towel. If the weather is nice, take the cage outside and turn the hose on it. Do not use any chemicals in the cleaning, as they can harm your hamster. Dry the cage out completely.

4. Replace the bedding and put the water bottle back in the cage. Put the food dishes back where they were, with fresh mix and a handful of fresh vegetables. A couple treat foods won't hurt, either; your hamster spent a lot of time getting his nest just right, and now he's going to have to do it all over again, thanks to you. Give him something to make it worth his while.

5. Clean out her toys, too. Wipe off plastic surfaces, and clean out any nest boxes. Completely get rid of paper towels or toilet paper that they might have used in their nests. Replace the toys.

6. Put your hamster back in her cage. Expect her to run around and inspect everything; after all, her home was completely remodeled while she was away.

7. It's a good time to also clean out the hamster ball, which should be getting regular use. Wipe it out with a damp paper towel, and let it dry completely before replacing the top.

Tips & Warnings

• Hamsters will use one corner of their cage as a bathroom. It's a good idea to take this bedding out every few days and replace it with fresh, and to replace the bedding in the entire cage at least once a week.
• Never use soap or other chemicals in cleaning your hamster cage. Even if you wash them out completely, the residue and fumes can still be a danger.