How Do You Potty Train A Hamster? I'm Intrigued!

[Mrs.Wiffles]

I didn't even know this was possible .

Our Russian Dwarf is about 20 weeks, although we have owned her for about 4 weeks. She doesn't mind being handled but she does pee and poop on us. Don't mind the poop as it is dry, hard and odourless, but the wee stinks so we have to change.

Is there an age limit to potty training or can we start and how? Please.

[annie81]

is she weeing on you all the time?? i noticed that i had to leave my hammie in the cage for a little while after him waking up because he always had to wee after waking up. when i took him out after that he didnt wee on me or the carpet anymore. dont think you can do much about the poo though

[souffle]

Not sure if you mean to use a potty in the cage or to stop her weeing on you.
It is not uncommon for dwarfies to wee on you while handling. They just tend to go when they need and sometimes if they are a bit nervous too it sets them off! They often get better as they become tamer and older and more settled but still have little accidents. Best way to minimise is to make sure they are always up and about if possible before you take them out so they have had a chance to go and to have a towel on your knee which can be easily washed. The wee smells bad as they have very concentrated urine which is normal.
They are not really trainable as such but they often choose to wee in a potty given the chance. Watch where your hamster wees then put a potty full of chinchilla sand in that place and sprinkle some wet stuff in it. Syrians tend to take to it better than dwarfs we find though who still like a wee corner and to piddle all over their wheels then run in a pee shower!!
Hope you manage to persuade her. We put a little pile of carefresh in the wet corner as this is easily scooped out and replaced every second day or so

[Mrs.Wiffles]

Originally Posted by souffle

Not sure if you mean to use a potty in the cage or to stop her weeing on you.
It is not uncommon for dwarfies to wee on you while handling. They just tend to go when they need and sometimes if they are a bit nervous too it sets them off! They often get better as they become tamer and older and more settled but still have little accidents. Best way to minimise is to make sure they are always up and about if possible before you take them out so they have had a chance to go and to have a towel on your knee which can be easily washed. The wee smells bad as they have very concentrated urine which is normal.
They are not really trainable as such but they often choose to wee in a potty given the chance. Watch where your hamster wees then put a potty full of chinchilla sand in that place and sprinkle some wet stuff in it. Syrians tend to take to it better than dwarfs we find though who still like a wee corner and to piddle all over their wheels then run in a pee shower!!
Hope you manage to persuade her. We put a little pile of carefresh in the wet corner as this is easily scooped out and replaced every second day or so

I have not managed to find out where she wees. I have repeatedly smelt her bedding and various areas of her tank and I haven't located wet spots.

[souffle]

That's normal...you see they wee so little and it is so concentrated that it likely dries out before you see a wet patch. You may see whitish stained patches in the cage which is crystals from the dried urine.
Just shows you don't really need to clean so much
As they get older and the kidneys weaken they often start to wee a bit more and you may notice it then.

[Mrs.Wiffles]

Originally Posted by souffle

That's normal...you see they wee so little and it is so concentrated that it likely dries out before you see a wet patch. You may see whitish stained patches in the cage which is crystals from the dried urine.
Just shows you don't really need to clean so much
As they get older and the kidneys weaken they often start to wee a bit more and you may notice it then.

Thank you, You have been such a help x