Male self cleaning behaviors...help!

[Kiki_3173]

I was wondering if someone might be able to guide me to a site that information on "normal" syrian male self cleaning behaviors. I walked over to watch Darwin in his cage and found I'm sitting like a little teddy bear, on his hind end, on his hammock. I thought to myself, awe...how cute is he. It was then that I realized he was cleaning his entire body (including some things I was shocked at)! It's been a long time since I've had hamsters and as a child & I don't remember seeing...that! It's hard for me to explain & I don't want to be very vivid, but I'm hoping someone might get a gist of what I am talking about.

[Mona's Humans]

Licking all over, and also licking paws and using them to rub over their body, as well as rolling in chinchilla sand, and also picking bits out of their fur with paws and teeth are all normal for my boys.

So if this is what you mean, i assume they all do it

[Kiki_3173]

Well, he was, I think "cleaning" some boy parts that are normally...shall we say...internal!

I have NEVER seen him do this and I want to make sure that he is ok (ie doesn't have an infection or something).

[Mona's Humans]

My boys do it - but if he's doing it a lot, keep an eye on him, and any redness, gunky dischange or swelling etc then get him checked. I'm sure he's just fine though.

[slatted]

Originally Posted by Kiki_3173

Well, he was, I think "cleaning" some boy parts that are normally...shall we say...internal!

I have NEVER seen him do this and I want to make sure that he is ok (ie doesn't have an infection or something).

I did not know there were any "internal" boy parts. They are all on the outside as far as I am aware and every bit needs to be kept clean, even the fiddly bits! Lol

[Kiki_3173]

Originally Posted by slatted

I did not know there were any "internal" boy parts. They are all on the outside as far as I am aware and every bit needs to be kept clean, even the fiddly bits! Lol

Oh no, that is not the case....I found out last night!!!


"Fiddly bits" Lol

[Rhino&Co]

If you mean his 'nuts' then they do clean them quite a lot, and if the ham is very warm they protrude like 2 peanuts. If you mean other male anatomy I've never seen their willies (apologies to those of a delicate nature), no matter how much they wash down there

[Kiki_3173]

I mean the willies!!! I've never seen it either...until he was bathing last night! He was cleaning his whole body, pouches, ears, haunches, nuts, and willie! I just want to make sure he isn't doing this because there is something wrong.

[AliKati]

I've seen this and I was shocked the first time. They do clean everywhere, he pulls it out, cleans it and puts it back! So I think it's normal as long as it doesn't happen that often, or nothing seems swollen, raw or injured.

[Kiki_3173]

Ok...from what it sounds like this is normal...but shocking! I"ll keep an eye on him just to make sure that nothing seems swollen or injured. Thanks everyone!