Trimming my hamster?

kayred2000 · 05-03-2016, 05:45 PM

Hello! I have a long haired Syrian named Nubbins. Now summer is coming around and I live in the south, so our summers can be extra hot. Our air conditioning does work, but sometimes it can only work so well. So, I was thinking about trimming some of my hamsters excess hair, nothing that's short or close to his skin, just the parts like his skirt that are overly long and not really needed.

Also, when he pees sometimes the paper bedding gets stuck in the longer fur, so I was thinking that it may be more sanitary than not trimming him. If I were to do so, I would have to do it myself as I can't go to the vet at the moment, but I do have a smaller pair of scissors so I was hoping to have someone else hold him while he eats and I'll gently trim.

Are there any concerns or precautions I should take? I never want to hurt him on accident, but online all I'm finding are opinions and not people telling me whether or not this is bad for him.

hammy2 · 05-03-2016, 06:07 PM

If you keep his home clean by taking any soiled litter or bedding away regularly there shouldn't be an issue with him keeping clean. You could gently comb him with a very soft toothbrush if his fur is getting matted or if his fur is matted just trim that off but there shouldn't be any need to cut his fur otherwise

Erin.R · 05-03-2016, 06:48 PM

I wouldn't cut their fur. What you can do throughout the summer is on hot days put a glass dish in the freezer until its nice and chilly then put it in the cage. I have 2 so I can rotate them but I still rarely see my hams going in them. Some people get a marble slab, they also sell Chinchilla chillers that are marble slabs that stay cool

I do sometimes trim my males skirts if bedding is getting tangled in there. Be very careful of their tail and skin though.

souffle · 05-03-2016, 11:58 PM

Yes go ahead and trim him especially the skirt. Long hair is not necessary and the skirt can be a tangly mess. We always trim long haired males if they are not being shown. Take care the wheel is big enough as the long fur can tangle in the spindle and pull out.
Trim it neatly round and tease out any tangles then brush with a toothbrush,

Ceretrea · 05-24-2016, 02:02 PM

Just spotted this. I had to trim my own boy's skirt the other day. Did you do it in the end?

kayred2000 · 06-03-2016, 06:34 PM

Hello! I just wanted to let you all know that I did decide not to trim hair anywhere but his skirt which was starting to get really long. He seems to be okay, I just used some very small safety scissors and kept him calm. I've also taken the advice about putting cold glass into his cage, that seems to keep him cool, thank you for the help!