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Old 07-27-2022, 01:13 AM   #1
cloudy
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Default Spot cleaning advice

Orko has been with me for almost 2 months now. I know the time to remove wet bedding will come soon. I know Victoria Rachael only removes wet bedding once she starts to smell it. Is this what I should do with Orko? I cannot smell anything at all from his cage.

I am really dreading spot cleaning because he is going to be so scared. I will wait until he is awake and try to do it by a dim light. I was thinking of buying a 84 litre really useful box and putting him, his bedding and wheel and a hide in it while I clean. Does this sound okay? I think this will be less stress then him being in the cage because I will have to life up his platforms, sand box and dig box which are all on stills and if he is hiding I feel it will be distressing and dangerous.

Orko is still not comfortable with any light. When I wait up for him with a dim lamp he comes out later but will come out. I hope the light is enough for me to spot clean as my eye sight is not great. Lol.
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Old 07-27-2022, 02:41 AM   #2
Ria P
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

Robos wee so little that their wee almost evaporates hence it can be very difficult to locate their pee spot, especially in a large enclosure with plenty of absorbing substrate like Kaytee.

Personally, i wouldn't bother to spotclean yet.

Yes, i took Scottie out and let him round around in the hall when i checked and spotcleaned his HH the other day but couldn't find a pee spot because he wees mainly on his wheel!

I put Robo Finley in the playpen which freaked him out and he run around squeaking so i put him back. A few days later i took the roof off his house and found his pee corner which i cleaned and then added a small corner toilet. I did this with Finley in the tank while he hid on the other side and it worked far better for him.

Hamsters react differently but for most it is better to take them out and with furniture on stilts it wouldn't be safe to leave them in.
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Old 07-27-2022, 02:47 AM   #3
cloudy
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

Thank you for replying. I laughed at you not finding Scottie's wee as he mainly wees on his wheel.

Thank you for your advise. I will wait longer. Maybe there will be a time were I can smell wee. His cage has 5 85litres of kaytee bedding so it must be absorbing any wee.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:13 AM   #4
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

I'm embarrassed to say this but I went almost 8 months before spot cleaning Pip (Robo's) cage. Only then did I start to get an aroma. He does have 10" of bedding though. I was a bit concerned I may find something mouldy or have left it too long. But actually it was all very neat and clean! The entire cage was clean and dry with just one wet area underneath his house, further down. He had clearly toiletted in the same place, under his house. So after checking throughout the entire cage, causing upheaval, in the end there was just the one small area to spot clean. The very deep bedding had helped with that or I wouldn't have left it so long.

I agree, if it doesn't smell, don't worry about it. the only time something might go a bit mouldy is if they pee on food. I've found robos don't tend to do that. They might have a number of hoards (often right down at the bottom of the cage).

Robos are known for peeing anywhere and everywhere (and yes it's a tiny amount and evaporates) but I found with our first one, once he had a labyrinth house, he had very good toiletting habits. He actually used the toilet tray!

Pip did as well at first but then decided to toilet underneath it further down (bigger toilet area!).

So I would also leave it a bit longer. How long have you had him now?

I wasn't sure what to do with Pip either so I started the spot cleaning when he was in the cage. At first he hid, but then when I started to remove his house (which is on legs) he emerged to see what was going on - and keep an eye on things. Don't worry about scaring him - it;s something he will get used to over time.

So Pip emerged through the house door after I'd taken the roof off and carefully felt down a bit under it from the front. I'd removed a lot of substrate from just in front of the house to be able to do this. So when he emerged, he found a big crater in front of his house. He looked a bit suprised then walked down into it to inspect it then went over to the far side of the cage under the shelf because of the upheaval. Where he sat and watched carefully what was going on. I had the playpen set up in case I got him out but would rather leave him in the cage than stress him trying to catch him - so I had either option just in case.

By that time I had created a crator in front of his wheel he ventured out to walk down into that and explore it, which worked very well. I put a mug on it's side in the crater and he walked into it so I popped my hand over the end and carried him to the playpen.

Then stayed there with him for a while. In hindsight a box set up would be better as I think the space in the playpen scared him and he squeaked for a bit but soon stopped once I talked to him. And he did end up exploring the playpen for a bit. Once he seemed happy in there and had places to dive into, I went back to sorting out the cage.

If anything he seemed more interested in wanting to come out again afterwards. Working on that!

With our previous robo, he was in a smaller 80 x 50 cage without such deep bedding and what worked with him was doing half the cage at a time (eg left half or right half). He adapted to this by having two nests - one in his house and one under a cork step in front of the wheel. So if I went to spot clean one side, he would move to his other nest. This worked well because half of his cage was always undisturbed and familiar. After a week or two he'd move back to his original nest and then I'd do the other half of the cage. I'd maybe leave 3 weeks between doing each half.

Don't worry about him too much - they do gain in confidence the more they get used to things and the more they get used to you.

He will be fine in daylight - Robos often come out during the day. He's probably just being shy coming out only at night.

So I'd do it at a time when you're awake and can see well! Maybe mid or late afternoon.

They soon settle again afterwards. Pip had a good check out in his cage afterwards - one thing I had put back not exactly where it was before - slightly off to one side - and he inspected that quite carefully - which showed me I had left a hole in a roof platform partly more blocked then before, so shifted the rock thing on top so he could get down the hole. Then all was fine.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:19 AM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

What I did in the end was have a smaller box inside the playpen. Pip seemed happy in the box but then when I went to gently handle him he climbed out of the box and into the playpen. You need a high sided box! Ironically he wasn't scared in the playpen any more then and got used to it and explored it a bit. Putting some food in various places and a chew stick distracts them out of feeling scared. Pip ended up happily sitting chewing a chew stick. It did also give me an opportunity to handle him a little bit - in the box. Which he accepted and I think has done some good - but then wriggled free and ran away.

I sometimes think we are more nervous about it than they are.

Orko's cage is now his familiar territory so he will feel safe in there, even if he goes over to the other side of the cage, away from the bit you're demolishing! When he goes back in there (if you do get him out) and sees everything is back to normal he will get used to this kind of thing. And sometimes they're happier seeing the damp stuff has been removed. They're ready for it.

But with a large cage with a lot of substrate and depth of substrate it can go quite a time - the substrate itself has some natural airing in a way - it's not completely airless under there as substrate breathes too. Hence houses open underneath to substrate are better for ventilation.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:21 AM   #6
cloudy
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Serendipity7000 View Post
I'm embarrassed to say this but I went almost 8 months before spot cleaning Pip (Robo's) cage. Only then did I start to get an aroma. He does have 10" of bedding though. I was a bit concerned I may find something mouldy or have left it too long. But actually it was all very neat and clean! The entire cage was clean and dry with just one wet area underneath his house, further down. He had clearly toiletted in the same place, under his house. So after checking throughout the entire cage, causing upheaval, in the end there was just the one small area to spot clean. The very deep bedding had helped with that or I wouldn't have left it so long.

I agree, if it doesn't smell, don't worry about it. the only time something might go a bit mouldy is if they pee on food. I've found robos don't tend to do that. They might have a number of hoards (often right down at the bottom of the cage).

Robos are known for peeing anywhere and everywhere (and yes it's a tiny amount and evaporates) but I found with our first one, once he had a labyrinth house, he had very good toiletting habits. He actually used the toilet tray!

Pip did as well at first but then decided to toilet underneath it further down (bigger toilet area!).

So I would also leave it a bit longer. How long have you had him now?

I wasn't sure what to do with Pip either so I started the spot cleaning when he was in the cage. At first he hid, but then when I started to remove his house (which is on legs) he emerged to see what was going on - and keep an eye on things. Don't worry about scaring him - it;s something he will get used to over time.

So Pip emerged through the house door after I'd taken the roof off and carefully felt down a bit under it from the front. I'd removed a lot of substrate from just in front of the house to be able to do this. So when he emerged, he found a big crater in front of his house. He looked a bit suprised then walked down into it to inspect it then went over to the far side of the cage under the shelf because of the upheaval. Where he sat and watched carefully what was going on. I had the playpen set up in case I got him out but would rather leave him in the cage than stress him trying to catch him - so I had either option just in case.

By that time I had created a crator in front of his wheel he ventured out to walk down into that and explore it, which worked very well. I put a mug on it's side in the crater and he walked into it so I popped my hand over the end and carried him to the playpen.

Then stayed there with him for a while. In hindsight a box set up would be better as I think the space in the playpen scared him and he squeaked for a bit but soon stopped once I talked to him. And he did end up exploring the playpen for a bit. Once he seemed happy in there and had places to dive into, I went back to sorting out the cage.

If anything he seemed more interested in wanting to come out again afterwards. Working on that!

With our previous robo, he was in a smaller 80 x 50 cage without such deep bedding and what worked with him was doing half the cage at a time (eg left half or right half). He adapted to this by having two nests - one in his house and one under a cork step in front of the wheel. So if I went to spot clean one side, he would move to his other nest. This worked well because half of his cage was always undisturbed and familiar. After a week or two he'd move back to his original nest and then I'd do the other half of the cage. I'd maybe leave 3 weeks between doing each half.

Don't worry about him too much - they do gain in confidence the more they get used to things and the more they get used to you.

He will be fine in daylight - Robos often come out during the day. He's probably just being shy coming out only at night.

So I'd do it at a time when you're awake and can see well! Maybe mid or late afternoon.

They soon settle again afterwards. Pip had a good check out in his cage afterwards - one thing I had put back not exactly where it was before - slightly off to one side - and he inspected that quite carefully - which showed me I had left a hole in a roof platform partly more blocked then before, so shifted the rock thing on top so he could get down the hole. Then all was fine.
Thank you for replying and sharing this. Orko has been with me for 6 weeks now. He also has 10 inches of bedding so it is good to hear Pip's did not need cleaning at this stage. He has a labyrinth house and he must use it as he enters and exits via the hole.

Doing half the cage at a time sounds like a good idea. I guess it is less scent removal for them.

Is it really okay to clean in the day? The earliest he ever gets up is 10.30 PM so he will be very upset if I wake up earlier. I am glad Pip was okay after the cleaning. I worry Orko will be very stressed. He is so shy. I was talking to him last night at 11.45 PM. As I had a dim lamp on he stayed in his wheel were he usually jumps in and out when he is in darkness.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:25 AM   #7
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

He'll get braver! Most robos come out a couple of times during the day. Orko is maybe still shy and building up confidence. The more he gets used to things the more confidence he will build up.

Our previous robo was a terrified type - if I put my hand in the cage he would run away and squish himself behind the wheel between the wheel and bars - knowing that was the only place I couldn't get at him probably. He'd had early scares with hands.

But he would happily come out in the cage during the day a couple of times and listen while I talked to him through the bars. They do vary.

Maybe try putting his veg out during the afternoon and see if he gets in the habit of waking up for that.

It's trial and error at first. Maybe leave it to 8 or 10 weeks. If you try the smelly food during the afternoon he might get used to getting up earlier before you do the spot clean
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:37 AM   #8
cloudy
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

Thank you Serendipity. It is so sweet Pip ended up enjoying his playpen. It would be lovely if Orko did gain more confidence.

Your previous robo sounded so nervous and it is wonderful he ended up coming out in the day.

I put Orko's food out early but he never comes out earlier. I actually do not think he is food motivated. He loves his wheel more then food and will go in the wheel as soon as he wakes up in the night.

Thank you for all the advice.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:51 AM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

The way i see it is that there is never a good time to spotclean or give a hamster a health check or trim nails etc so i just get it done and over with at a time that suits me and when i can see properly.

It's not serious, longterm stress if they do get stressed at all. It's just part of life like us going to the dentist for a check up or redecorating a room.
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Old 07-27-2022, 03:52 AM   #10
cloudy
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Default Re: Spot cleaning advice

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ria P View Post
The way i see it is that there is never a good time to spotclean or give a hamster a health check or trim nails etc so i just get it done and over with at a time that suits me and when i can see properly.

It's not serious, longterm stress if they do get stressed at all. It's just part of life like us going to the dentist for a check up or redecorating a room.
Thank you Ria. That is a very good way of looking at it. It will be a lot easier for me if I spot clean in daylight. I will do that in a few months time.
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