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Pebbles82 · 05-09-2021, 02:43 PM

Meant to add - scented things can cause issues too. So no strong disinfectants for cage cleaning, no scented granules or bedding etc. For nesting, plain white toilet paper torn into strips is safest. For cleaning - you don't need disinfectant unless there has been illness or disease and then it needs to be a small animal pet safe disinfectant, well rinsed and aired to remove any scent afterwards. I just use warm water with a bit of washing up liquid in for the cage base and then rinse well. likewise for the wheel or any ceramic or plastic items. Anything else can just have a wipe down with a damp cloth - toys don't usually need cleanign that often or much,

Also best to not clean everything at the same time as that stresses them and stress can cause all sorts. So partial cleans are better. Eg do half the substrate if it is absolutely necessary but keep the clean half back and mix it in so it smells familiar. And do the wheel a different week and any toys etc a different week again. Our human instinct is to clean everything all at the same time but not good for the hamster.

Using a litter tray keeps the substrate clean and dry and you just empty the litter tray.

Hopefully changing the aspen for paper bedding will help. Let us know how it goes.

05-09-2021, 02:43 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Allergies? Meant to add - scented things can cause issues too. So no strong disinfectants for cage cleaning, no scented granules or bedding etc. For nesting, plain white toilet paper torn into strips is safest. For cleaning - you don't need disinfectant unless there has been illness or disease and then it needs to be a small animal pet safe disinfectant, well rinsed and aired to remove any scent afterwards. I just use warm water with a bit of washing up liquid in for the cage base and then rinse well. likewise for the wheel or any ceramic or plastic items. Anything else can just have a wipe down with a damp cloth - toys don't usually need cleanign that often or much, Also best to not clean everything at the same time as that stresses them and stress can cause all sorts. So partial cleans are better. Eg do half the substrate if it is absolutely necessary but keep the clean half back and mix it in so it smells familiar. And do the wheel a different week and any toys etc a different week again. Our human instinct is to clean everything all at the same time but not good for the hamster. Using a litter tray keeps the substrate clean and dry and you just empty the litter tray. Hopefully changing the aspen for paper bedding will help. Let us know how it goes.