Sand bath - how often

[posie1970]

Hi everyone,

I'm looking for a bit of advice on how often you should offer a dwarf hammie a sand bath.

I'd been offering my girls fresh sand every day, but noticed last night that there is a note on the packaging to the effect that they can suffer from dry skin if they bathe too often. It also recommends removing the sand bath 10 - 20 minutes after it has been used.

So, I was wondering: what kind of regime do the more experienced owners on the board use? Has anyone found leaving the sand tray as a permanent fixture has caused problems?

I want my girls to be happy and healthy, so any advice would be much appreciated.

- Kim
x

[Silver]

What I & most people do is put some sand in a dish & leave it in there cage. Then they can roll in it, dig in it, wee in it & poo in it when ever they want to.

Silver xxx

[Arraminta]

I have Syrians and they have their sand pit all the time.. And yep silver sometimes they bath, sometimes they wee, sometimes the bath and wee (if I can't get to the sand quick enough)) Lols

Arraminta x

[StarlightSerenity]

It's Chinchilla's that can't have it all the time, from what I've read. Hams are fine with it all the time, unless of course you notice a problem. I've never heard of someone's hamster having a problem with their skin because of sand though

[Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters]

All of my hams have sand baths in their cages 24/7 A few will get very moody if you take it away from them! I have also never had problems with them suffering from irritation or dry skin because of the sand

[bootsboy2]

hey erin, where did you find those hamster images for your signature? I cant find them. But anyways I have a question on this topic, is it okay to just like put there sand bath in a dish and change it out with the bedding each week?

[posie1970]

Thanks everyone. My girls are loving the sand. And yes, it is occasionally used as a toilet . But, it's reassuring to know it won't harm them to have their sand baths available 24/7.

x

[Charley101]

My hams also have their sand baths 24/7 and have never had any problems

[GemmasMom]

My girls all share 2 baths and also have 24/7 access. I don't see them in them often, but I'm sure they bathe when I'm not looking because since I purchased the baths, their fur has never been so fluffy Gemma used to eat her sand, so I had to return her bath. I"m very happy these girls don't find the sand appetizing

[obscura]

All 5 of my hamsters have a sand bath in their bin 24/7. Sometimes they roll in it, and sometimes they don't. I've never noticed any problems.

My newest hammy, the baby Syrian, has rolled in it a few times and her coat is looking so soft and fluffy! They seem to enjoy having access to their sand baths. Since the water bottles drip on occasion, I place the sand bath under the nozzle so they have to walk on the sand to drink their water. They don't seem to mind it at all. I spot clean the sand if it gets wet from the water, and replace the sand once a week or every two weeks.