The hamster will increase the possibility to get sick if there is a bad smell in their living environment. Therefore, it is important to keep the hamster cage clean. Just like us, the hamster has its own right to enjoy the fresh air and natural scent. There are things that need to be prepared if you want to change their home frequently without making them stressed. Preparing a new home for a hamster is a bit more complicated than we think. Let's take a look at these easy but essential steps below.
What you need to prepare
To change your hamster cage frequently, there are a few requirements that you must have ready before proceeding with this job:
- Hamster Cage
- Bedding
- Hay
- Food bowl, water bottle, and some food.
That is all you need to get prepared before changing the hamster cage frequently. In this article, we will explain how often to change hamster cages in a more detailed way so it's easier for you to understand. We all know that there are many hamster cages you can find on the market, so it's a bit confusing to decide which one is the best. One of the hamster cage types that we recommend is a wire cage because this type of cage is easier for you to clean and has enough ventilation for your pet.
How often should I change the hamster cage?
First, you need to check the condition of your hamster cage. If it is already dirty and has a bad smell, then you need to clean it immediately.
You can change your hamster cage after a week if there isn't any sign of infestation or diarrhea from your pet. Basically, you should change the hamster cage once a month for a healthy life of your hamster. In this period, you can also check the condition of bedding and hay inside the cage if they are dirty or smelly.
If you change hamster cages frequently, then there is no need to wait for a long time to clean their living environment. However, it doesn't mean that you should clean their cage at least once a week.
Why do I need to change my hamster cage frequently?
A dirty hamster cage always will give a bad smell, which makes your pet uncomfortable staying inside their home. If you keep the poor conditions of the hamster cage, then it will make them sick due to the dirty environment. That's why it is important to keep the hamster cage clean.
You need to change their living environment frequently if you have many hamsters inside one cage. It's because there are so much urine and feces that will make your pet sick.
How to clean a hamster cage?
- Prepare a container and fill it with around 20% bleach water. Ensure that the ratio of water and bleach is enough for you to scrub all parts inside the cage.
- Scrub their cage using this solution. You can use a soft sponge or brush to make it easier.
- Rinse the dirty water from the container and fill it with clean water.
- Rinse your hamster cage again using this solution. Make sure that all parts of the cage are dry enough before placing them inside.
How to prepare a new home for my hamster?
First, you need to get rid of old bedding and replace it with a new one. Old bedding always has a bad smell because it mixes with hamster feces and urine. It's also a risk of infection if your pet will sleep inside the old bedding, so you have to change it completely.
Second, get rid of old hay from their cage and replace it with a new one. If you keep the old hay inside the cage, then it will make them feel bad because their home is now mixed with dirty scents from old hay. After changing hamster house, you need to keep your pet inside a temporary home for about 5-6 hours. It's because if they enter their new cage immediately, then they will try to eat the part of the new cage also.
What should I do if my hamster can't stay inside the temporary home?
It will be fine to leave your pet alone in their new cage, but you can give them something to distract them. You can put some food inside their cage-like carrots or apples to make sure that they focus on eating rather than staying outside.
Conclusion
In summary, you can change or clean their hamster cage after a week if there is any sign of diarrhea or infestation from your pet. You also should keep the hamster cage clean at least once a month to prevent having a bad smell inside your home. In addition, you need to prepare new bedding and hay inside their new cage to avoid any contamination problems. If you follow all the above steps, then it is guaranteed that your hamster will live in a healthy condition.