How to Properly Clean a Hamster Cage

There are many things a person must do to help keep their hamster happy and healthy. One of those things is making sure they have a clean home to live in. A hamster’s cage should be cleaned at least once a week, unless momma hamster is nursing her young. Keep their cage clean is a great way to help keep your hamster healthy and happy. Following this step by step process will insure that your hamster’s home will be clean and odor free.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Carrier Cage
• Pine Sol
• Hot Water
• Rag or sponge
• Towel or Hand towel
• Bedding
• Fresh food and water

1. The first thing you will want to do is carefully move your hamster in his/her carrier cage. You will want to make sure there is enough room for your hamster to move around in case he/she wants to play. You will also want to make sure there is somewhere for your hamster to sleep, food, and water.

2. Take the food dish, water dish, and any toys out of the cage. You will want to wash these items as well. The food and water dish should be washed and filled nightly.

3. Take the cage completely apart. You will want to wash each section separately. This insures that the cage is completely clean.

4. Empty all of the bedding out of the cage. If your hamster does not have a litter box you may have to wipe out any bedding that sticks to the bottom of the cage.

5. Fill your sink with pine sol cleaner and hot water. Doing this will help disinfect the cage, insuring that the cage is completely clean.

6. Wash each section of the cage and all toys. Make sure to rinse with hot water as well. Towel dry, making sure than each section of the cage is completely dry. Hamsters like their homes to be dry. Wash the food and water dish using dish detergent and hot water.

7. Begin putting the cage back together. As you put the cage back together look over it to make sure you didn’t miss anything.

8. Now that the cage is whole again, it’s time to add the bedding. You will want to use pine shavings or the softer bedding. Either works well and will help control odor until the next cleaning.

9. Now it’s time to put the food dish, water dish, and toys back into the cage. You will want to do this before putting your hamster back into his/her home.

10. Everything should be in place. Now it’s time to put your hamster’s home back in its original spot. Do this so that you don’t have to move the cage after placing your hamster inside.

11. Time to put your hamster back in his/her home. After he/she is in their home give them a little treat. This helps them relax a bit after being moved from one cage to another and back again. And you are done.

Tips & Warnings

• If you do not have bedding for your cage, shredded paper can be used as a substitute.
• Clean the cage on the same day each week, around the same time.
• Be gentle when handling your hamster.
• Make sure your hamster does not jump out of your hands.
• Wash your hands after handling the cage and once you are completely done.

[soulmates]

on 1/1/2009 We use to have a hamster, but this is great advice for those who have these furry little pets. Thanks