Vacation - Hamster Care

Spunkys_Owner · 07-13-2017, 07:55 PM

Hey everyone!
I'm going on vacation very, very soon. I'm posting this pretty late, but I want it for future reference.
I already got a friend to take care of Spunky (my dwarf hamster), but of course, I'm a bit nervous, this being my first time going on vacation while owning a small pet. I typed up an instruction page for her, explaining how to feed him and that stuff. I told her to call me if there's a problem.
I cleaned his cage about 4 days before we're going to leave, and we're not going to be back for about 8-9 days. So 12 days in between cleanings isn't too long to wait, right?
Also, is there anything more that I should tell her?
I know I'm being *very* worried , but I just want to make sure my hamster will be okay without me for a while.
Thanks for reading my post about how worried I am.
Thank you!
P.S. I hope this is in the right place

AmityvilleHams · 07-13-2017, 08:08 PM

12 days between cleanings is honestly not enough,if you're talking about anything major(basically anything over a spot cleaning should wait for around a month in most cases,which although it sounds strange is actually much better and is beneficial in numerous ways to your hamster's health and overall wellbeing due to keeping their scent in the cage and then feeling secure and happy with the safe environment they are in. You are doing him a favour and as long as your friend spot cleans the wet corner every few days your hamster will be just fine

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cypher · 07-13-2017, 11:23 PM

It sounds as though Spunky is going to be well cared for & you've no need to worry, 12 days between cage cleans is fine, spot cleaning would really depend on where he pees, if he pees in his house then it would probably need just a bit of spot cleaning during that time but if he pees somewhere like his sand bath or a litter tray then it shouldn't be a problem.

Spunkys_Owner · 07-14-2017, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

12 days between cleanings is honestly not enough,if you're talking about anything major(basically anything over a spot cleaning should wait for around a month in most cases,which although it sounds strange is actually much better and is beneficial in numerous ways to your hamster's health and overall wellbeing due to keeping their scent in the cage and then feeling secure and happy with the safe environment they are in. You are doing him a favour and as long as your friend spot cleans the wet corner every few days your hamster will be just fine

.

Spunky has a smaller cage than I'd like him to have, so I have to clean it more often. I'll probably wait a bit longer between cleanings once I get back from vacation, seeing how many people prefer to do cleanings less often.
Thank you!

CMB · 07-14-2017, 08:26 AM

You could leave vet contact info, just in case there is a problem while your away.

Enjoy your vacation.

AprilPearl · 07-14-2017, 08:57 AM

I think you'll be fine. Or, to be more accurate, Spunky will be fine with the measures you have put in place! The only other thing I would do (though it's not a disaster if you haven't) is to spend a few minutes with your friend and Spunky, letting them get acquainted and showing your friend how to handle him so you are confident that they are confident with him! That's only if they don't have any experience with dwarf hamsters, though.