45 replies to this topic

[jess32247]

Poor hamsters! Hamsters should only be cleaned by chinchilla sand!

 

You have to be very careful with chinchilla sands- a lot of them (in the US) are much to dusty to use with hamsters, though I'm not sure how it is in the UK. I would suggest avoiding it in the first place and just using play sand- all you have to do is rinse it very well and let it dry out, it works wonderfully for hamsters.

[emiee7]

You have to be very careful with chinchilla sands- a lot of them (in the US) are much to dusty to use with hamsters, though I'm not sure how it is in the UK. I would suggest avoiding it in the first place and just using play sand- all you have to do is rinse it very well and let it dry out, it works wonderfully for hamsters.

I have heard supreme chinchilla sand is great in the UK! Wish we had it here

Edited by emiee7, 19 August 2013 - 09:24 PM.

[Ping]

Yup, I've tried two different brands here and both have been absolutely fine... not dusty at all

[Marc the Squish]

I don't have a problem with this. My sister's hamster was playing in the grass and got some gunk under her belly . She would pick and it and scratch it and it looked like she was hurting herself so we followed this article and got it out. She lived for about a year after and died of age so I don't think there is any problem 

[thehappyhamsters]

someone should edit it! like..

write about the sand bathhs and stuff.

Hamsters shouldn't have baths!

[Ping]

Have you read the article? It actually says that hamsters shouldn't have baths (except in emergencies) and mentions sand baths too!

[UK Hammies]

If people were carefull with there hamster they would probably never need a bath! If its really that bad I would probably take it to the vet?

[MiniMercedes]

Wow. I hate it when people who know nothing about hamsters try to act like they do! It drives me mad! I use supreme science chinchilla sand for my hammies! It's much safer.

[tbiM20]

Wow. I hate it when people who know nothing about hamsters try to act like they do! It drives me mad! I use supreme science chinchilla sand for my hammies! It's much safer.

 

As Ping mentioned, the article says that hamsters shouldn't have baths anyways. It's advice for when there's something toxic or dangerous in the hamster's fur.

 

"1 Understand that your hamster should never need a bath! That being said, if you are considering giving your hamster a bath, be sure to educate yourself of the dangers. Only bathe your hamster if there is something stuck in their fur.

 

2 Clean the cage more frequently. If the cage/hamster is smelling bad, more than likely, you need to clean out the cage more frequently and/or better.

• This means touching up daily, and changing all of the bedding weekly.
• During estrus, female hamsters can also have a different odor when they are in heat.

3 Ensure that your hamster really needs a bath. The only time you should give your hamster a bath is if there is something on their coat that could harm them, e.g. something toxic or something that they could choke on if they tried to clean themselves. If you've spilled something harmful on your hamster, you will probably wish to bathe it.

 

4 Try a sand bath first. If your hamster is not life-threateningly dirty, a sand bath should be sufficient. Buy chinchilla sand at the pet store and put it in a little bowl for your hamster. Make sure to buy sand, not dust, as dust can cause respiratory problems for your hamster. If the sand is a permanent fixture in your hamster's cage or playpen, make sure to check it daily as your hamster may start using it as a litterbox.

 

5 Be prepared to wash your hamster if the hamster has something toxic or sticky on its coat, but do so carefully.

 

6 Make sure there is no other way to remove the problem substance. If your long-haired hamster has gum in its fur, you might simply cut it out."

Edited by tbiM20, 03 December 2013 - 09:51 PM.

[MiniMercedes]

As Ping mentioned, the article says that hamsters shouldn't have baths anyways. It's advice for when there's something toxic or dangerous in the hamster's fur.
 
"1 Understand that your hamster should never need a bath! That being said, if you are considering giving your hamster a bath, be sure to educate yourself of the dangers. Only bathe your hamster if there is something stuck in their fur.
 
2 Clean the cage more frequently. If the cage/hamster is smelling bad, more than likely, you need to clean out the cage more frequently and/or better.

• This means touching up daily, and changing all of the bedding weekly.
• During estrus, female hamsters can also have a different odor when they are in heat.

3 Ensure that your hamster really needs a bath. The only time you should give your hamster a bath is if there is something on their coat that could harm them, e.g. something toxic or something that they could choke on if they tried to clean themselves. If you've spilled something harmful on your hamster, you will probably wish to bathe it.
 
4 Try a sand bath first. If your hamster is not life-threateningly dirty, a sand bath should be sufficient. Buy chinchilla sand at the pet store and put it in a little bowl for your hamster. Make sure to buy sand, not dust, as dust can cause respiratory problems for your hamster. If the sand is a permanent fixture in your hamster's cage or playpen, make sure to check it daily as your hamster may start using it as a litterbox.
 
5 Be prepared to wash your hamster if the hamster has something toxic or sticky on its coat, but do so carefully.
 
6 Make sure there is no other way to remove the problem substance. If your long-haired hamster has gum in its fur, you might simply cut it out."[/size]

why did you just tell me all that info? I was talking about the person who wrote the wiki article, also I have a dwarf and he needs his sand.

[tbiM20]

why did you just tell me all that info? I was talking about the person who wrote the wiki article, also I have a dwarf and he needs his sand.

 

I was pointing out what the Wiki article says - it's not that they know nothing, but rather they are explaining how to properly bathe a hamster when it really, truly needs one.

[MiniMercedes]

Ah, ok.

[tbiM20]

Ah, ok.

 

Yep   Just clarifying.

[MiniMercedes]

Yep Just clarifying.

[Lon]

I have heard supreme chinchilla sand is great in the UK! Wish we had it here

(I know this is old but i'd thought I'd say something unless you haven't heard yet) Actually we do have Supreme sand here at Pet Mountain