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Old 02-10-2018, 05:04 PM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: small cage housing enquiry

Just to mention Best not to be too perfectionist on the cleaning front (although getting the cage just right afterwards is important!) In terms of not cleaning everything too much or at the same time, as it removes the hamster's scent and they can feel quite stressed by everything being cleaned at once.

Apologies if you already know that! With a Syrian you can use a litter tray,which helps the cage stay clean, and also just spot clean mostly - meaning you may only need to do a substrate change every 2 or even 3 months.

I also replace about half the old substrate at that time (the dry half!) and mix it in - so it still smells a bit familiar.

Cleaning the wheel a different week to the substrate, and the toys etc a different week again - means something always smells familiar to the hamster so it's less stressful for them.

I also don't remove the nest unless it's pee'd in - and then try to leave a little bit of dry nest behind and put more nesting material out so they can rebuild it. Also dry hoards can be left for quite some time,and any hoard removed should be replaced with new food in exactly the same place.

It can affect their behaviours if their nest or hoard is removed regularly, or if they are cleaned out too much.

As they get older they seem less worried about cleanouts and even quite interested if something new is added at the same time - but they're always very possessive about nests and hoards

They're also highly sensitive to scented products. I just use warm water to clean the cage base when doing it - or warm water with a bit of fairy liquid in and then rinse well. There's no need to disinfect unless there has been illness or disease. If you do use any cage cleaning product, give the cage a good rinse and air afterwards so the scent has gone before putting the hammy back.
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