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Old 02-27-2016, 03:48 AM   #11
Tacey
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

Thank you for your replies everyone. Looks like I will need to control my cleaning habits...! I'm used to completely emptying the cage and wiping it all down before refilling with fresh bedding... but I'll stop that.
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Old 02-27-2016, 07:37 AM   #12
hrl20100
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Tacey View Post
Thank you for your replies everyone. Looks like I will need to control my cleaning habits...! I'm used to completely emptying the cage and wiping it all down before refilling with fresh bedding... but I'll stop that.
I think we have all made that mistake when first owning hamsters! I know I did that!
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Old 02-27-2016, 10:37 AM   #13
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

When we got Charlie I asked the man in the pet shop how often we should clean the cage and bedding and he said - every day! He said you needed to discard all the bedding every day as well. This sounded rather a lot to me so I googled and found different
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Old 03-02-2016, 02:43 AM   #14
Lizwig
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

For my Donny I've been mostly, apart from the last week, cleaned out his cage fully. But every few days I change out his litter tray as for him that's where the majority of his waste goes.
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Old 03-02-2016, 06:15 AM   #15
kittokitty
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

I spot clean every three days and I do a full clean every two weeks
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Old 03-02-2016, 12:20 PM   #16
flowerfairy
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

I spot clean every few days and do a partial clean every couple of months. I live to put new things in the cages once in a while for added interest.
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Old 03-02-2016, 12:40 PM   #17
climber008
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

Honestly, I just clean my cage out every month with the occasional spot slean. Since I had Syrians, their potty was changed out every week.

Again, it really depends on the hamster and how much of a mess they make.
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Old 03-02-2016, 01:42 PM   #18
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

It's interesting to hear how everyone does things slightly differently . I guess because every hamster is different and you kind of need to do what works for them specifically. Also, It's a good point about dwarfs and their burrowing so needing to change the substrate at the bottom as well, I hadn't considered that.

Personally I started with the 'german' method but found I changed it slightly over time to something that worked for Spike. I have a big litter tray so change that out every 5 days or so and do a spot clean at the same time. I clean out his nest (not completely) once a month or if I notice it's gotten a bit whiffy. Spike is a very tidy hamster though so with changing out his litter tray frequently I don't feel that the cage ever really gets dirty as such. Because of this I only do a full cage clean every 3 months. I used to do every 2 months but it seemed pointless because the cage just didn't need it. I do however then change out all the bedding and wipe down the cage with hot soapy water. I keep a small bag of used but clean substrate and when I'm done I'll sprinkle that over the top. The reason I do a full subatrate clear out rather than the 'german' method is because I found that the base collects the occasional stray poop and sand kicked from his litter tray, he also likes to bury his hoards pretty deep . Toys I clean as needed but not at the same time as a full cage clean.

So that's what works for us
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Old 03-02-2016, 04:56 PM   #19
Pebbles82
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

I'm interested what the German method is Ruby - I don't think I know it. I know what you mean about sand ending up at the bottom. It's usually clean sand in my case though so I just take it out when doing the partial clean. Although I only take out the top third of the substrate, I sometimes take the rest of it out, wipe the bottom of the cage with a damp cloth and then put the bottom 2/3 back. I reckon 3 to 4 months for a 'big'/partial clean now, as Charlie's cage just doesn't get messed up - just his potty and the odd bit of spot cleaning. I do the toys as and when.
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Old 03-03-2016, 12:45 AM   #20
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Default Re: How often do you clean the cage?

The 'german' method (although thats probably not what it's really called ) is just taking out the top third of the substrate and then mixing the remaining substrate in with new. So essentially what you're doing . It's a good idea taking the bottom layers of substrate out, cleaning the base and then putting it back in. I hadn't thought of doing it that way, I may try it. I think I just feel better changing everything out since I do leave it for 3 months at a time and with the Fitch a big bag lasts a year so I don't really feel the need to be frugal with it. Since I sprinkle used but clean substrate over all the fresh stuff Spike doesn't seem too bothered. He is usually a bit cautious while he checks out the cage to make sure everything is where it's supposed to be and then it's back to business as usual
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