Hamster Central - View Single Post - Spot cleaning

Ria P · 01-25-2021, 11:08 PM

The animal welfare diploma appears to be out of date like hamster books and advice from petshops.
Things have moved on from times when hamsters lived in tiny cages with a thin layer of woodchips and weekly cleans were the norm.

Drilled holes are nowhere near enough ventilation and the combination of plastic without sufficient ventilation can lead to allsorts of serious problems like a build up of moisture, mould and bacteria. The same applies to plastic tubes when the hamster starts to nest, pee and hoard in them.

Yes, hamsters need plenty of shelter and hiding places but they also like to be able to look out of their habitats to see what's going on and breathe in some fresh air.
Unfortunately, your hamster is in a plastic box without a window and can't do that. How can he get to know and trust you when he can't see or smell you?

Please have a look on the thread "Let's see your cages" on the Forum under Housing for inspiration.

01-25-2021, 11:08 PM
Ria P House of Hamsters Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Wiltshire, UK Posts: 7,103	Re: Spot cleaning - with a very shy hamster The animal welfare diploma appears to be out of date like hamster books and advice from petshops. Things have moved on from times when hamsters lived in tiny cages with a thin layer of woodchips and weekly cleans were the norm. Drilled holes are nowhere near enough ventilation and the combination of plastic without sufficient ventilation can lead to allsorts of serious problems like a build up of moisture, mould and bacteria. The same applies to plastic tubes when the hamster starts to nest, pee and hoard in them. Yes, hamsters need plenty of shelter and hiding places but they also like to be able to look out of their habitats to see what's going on and breathe in some fresh air. Unfortunately, your hamster is in a plastic box without a window and can't do that. How can he get to know and trust you when he can't see or smell you? Please have a look on the thread "Let's see your cages" on the Forum under Housing for inspiration.