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Old 10-21-2017, 10:59 AM   #1
flowerfairy
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Default Smelly roborovski pair

Two of my robos who live together in a small perfecto tank STINK!

I need to clean them out twice a week and even then the smell soon builds up again. I clean half the cage one time and half the next and then wash their wheels, etc.

I am wondering whether I should get them a bigger cage, mabe one with bars?

Opinions would be welcome.
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Old 10-22-2017, 12:39 AM   #2
cypher
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

If you have to clean that often they're probably scent marking a lot all the time so it could just become a bit of a cycle, you clean they scent, unless it's the smell of pee?
Have you tried leaving it longer to see if the smell wears off with a little more time?
I'm sure the ventilation in a barred cage would probably help, a bigger cage might be better but then with a pair there is always the risk that a change like that could unsettle them enough to fall out so it's not an easy decision really.
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:39 AM   #3
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

I used to leave cleaning out much longer then a bit longer but the smell of amonia quickly becomes over powering.

Yes. The risk of them falling out is what has made me keep them in their stinky tank for so long!

I never usually clean out hamsters this often but these two are just so incredibly smelly that I have resorted to that just because I thought the smell must be too intense for their tiny respiratory systems.
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:47 AM   #4
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

I think you're probably right to clean more if it is that ammonia/pee smell, it's not good for them if it gets too much.
Can you find a pee spot or spots to just clean those areas more or it's just a general smell on everything?
Do they have a sand bath? Sometimes you can encourage them to pee in the sand by putting some of the smelly substrate in the sand.
It might be worth taking the risk & putting them in a larger cage if you have the space to keep both in different cages if they did fall out if all else fails.
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Old 10-22-2017, 10:07 AM   #5
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

Roborovski do smell a lot more than other species. I have a lone male Robo and it doesn't matter how often or how little you clean him out he STINKS.
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Old 10-22-2017, 11:25 AM   #6
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

Could you put deeper substrate in maybe? That should deal with a lot of it and not need cleaning out so much. I seem to remember the perfecto doesn't have the greatest ventilation on top. How about making a mesh lid?
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Old 10-22-2017, 01:38 PM   #7
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

I have turned the lid upside down and left a gap. A mesh lid is a good idea serendipity.

They came with a thin layer of sawdust on every surface and paper bedding they now have hemparade from zooplus plus nice deep fitch and good old loo roll. They are mega sweet, especially when they pop out of their nest all sleepily in the mornings xx

Glad its not just my two then lilac dreams.

I really want them to stay together. Will try the mesh lid and take it from there.
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Old 10-22-2017, 03:00 PM   #8
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

I see the problem if they pee on the shelves!
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Old 10-23-2017, 02:28 AM   #9
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Default Re: Smelly roborovski pair

I dont really know where they pee. When I very first got them there was just a thin layer of sawdust everywhere and paper bedding. I gave them deeper bedding so that they could tunnel and make nests.

There dont seem to be any particular pee places. They love their sand bath (they didnt have one when they came) but dont pee it in.

Going to feed them in a bit and coo over them popping their heads out of their nest like little baby birds!
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