Odor-Female Hamster

[Cotton]

May I ask for helpful suggestions to mask or eliminate the odor of a female hamster in heat? With my first female hamster, this was mild. However, with this new hamster, it is so strong that I can smell her throughout my apartment and could never invite guests in because the odor is overpowering.

She has a large, ventilated habitat with approx. 6 inches of Carefresh.

Thank you for any suggestions.

[Pebbles82]

One of those air purifiers with a carbon filter might do it (not scented ones). The Hepa filters extract very small particles, but the carbon filters extract odour Air purifiers are a bit of a minefield. Some are massively expensive. Avoid ones that are ionisers as that's bad for you putting ions in the air. Some kind of basic one with a carbon filter would probably work, like this one. Not that cheap but I don't think they go much cheaper.

https://www.amazon.com/GermGuardian-...+filter+carbon

[Cotton]

And do male hamsters have a strong odor...so I know when I purchase the next one. Thank you.

[Pebbles82]

Originally Posted by Cotton

And do male hamsters have a strong odor...so I know when I purchase the next one. Thank you.

Nope It's the female being on heat every 4 days that produces the odour. Apparently some are stronger than others.

[Jeir]

Originally Posted by Cotton

And do male hamsters have a strong odor...so I know when I purchase the next one. Thank you.

Male Syrians don't have any real odour.
Female Syrians can have a very strong odour, as you've found out. My last one did (admittedly, I also had two males in the house which probably didn't help) and I decided after her to not get another female.

I've found the opposite for dwarfs (hybrids and Robos). The male dwarf scent gland can make them rather smelly. Females tend to just smell a bit like mushrooms to me.

No idea about Chinese hamsters as I've never had them.

[alpacassei]

Originally Posted by Cotton

And do male hamsters have a strong odor...so I know when I purchase the next one. Thank you.

I can't remember if male Syrians smell but my 3 male Russians only really smell strongly when they need cleaning out

[cypher]

There are things that will absorb odours, you don't want to mask anything as that suggests using other smells, air fresheners etc that aren't safe.
Not sure if you're in the US but here in the UK you can get things like this odour absorber which does work to some extent if placed close to the cage. NO idea if there's something similar in other countries though.

[Cotton]

Thank you, Serendipity. That's very helpful!

Thank you, Cypher. I'm in Canada. I will check.

[AmityvilleHams]

We do have carbon-based odor absorbing products in the US,and most likely Canada as well as Petsmart does carry some!Of course,they're usually in the cat section.They'd definitely be one of the safest options,as long as you get something which is as natural and pure as possible

[cypher]

No smell with my Chinese & I've found the opposite with my Russians, like syrians it's only females that I've noticed a smell with but I think it varies a lot from one ham to another.

Air purifiers are as Serendipity says a bit of a minefield! You really need to do your research as a goos one is quite an investment, cheaper ones are often very noisy & don't function as well as the more expensive ones.