No matter what kind of hamster you own, you’ll eventually come to wonder if bathing these little balls of fur is a good idea. You love caring for your pet and only want the best for it. But is getting a hamster wet even a good idea?
You can bathe a hamster in water, though it is generally NOT recommended. Washing a hamster tends to cleanse away natural oils the animal uses to absorb vitamins. Not only that, but hamsters can’t swim well, which makes them prone to drowning.
There are other, safer ways to clean hamsters and keep them clean. The rule of thumb here is to wash hamsters with water ONLY if there is something nasty stuck in their fur. For when push comes to shove, the following shows the safest way to “water wash” a hamster.
How Do You Give a Hamster a Bath?
Maybe you played with your hamster after eating waffles and got syrup stuck in its fur. Or perhaps its rear end is caked with fecal matter that won’t come off without water. Whatever the case, your hamster needs a bath, and here are the steps to take:
To give your hamster a bath, you’ll need a high-sided bowl to keep it in place. Ideally, you should wash the hamster in a warm room without any drafts, using lukewarm water that doesn’t rise past its shoulders. Wash the hamster gently with mild shampoo before drying and returning it to its cage.
And you’re done. If you’d prefer to be even more careful, try this method:
- Wet a toothbrush and place the hamster in the palm of your hand.
- Brush the hamster delicately (you may use mild, unscented shampoo).
- Dry the animal off with a soft towel.
Both methods are effective so long as you tread lightly and carry a soft, soft stick. Being cavalier is not recommended, as the consequences could be disastrous.
Can a Bath Kill a Hamster?
A bath can kill a hamster in three ways. First, the hamster can drown if placed in a bowl or basin with too much water. Your hamster can also die due to shock if you use extremely cold or hot water. Illness resulting from a bath can also kill a hamster.
The first two are pretty much self-explanatory. The third obliges me to elaborate, which I am more than pleased to do.
Remember those natural oils I mentioned earlier? A hamster uses these oils not only to communicate by smell with other hamsters but also to stave off potentially harmful bacteria and infections, as explained below.
Respiratory Infections
When we were kids, we were taught that animals don’t catch colds. The lesson simply isn’t true. Hamsters can certainly catch a cold, and the symptoms will be the same as with humans. Coughing, sneezing, and wheezing are the three most common signs to be on the lookout for.
And just as with humans, these colds can develop into pneumonia, at which time you’ll need to provide veterinary care for your friend. If you suspect your hamster has a cold, keep it cuddled in a cozy room with some warm milk. If there is no improvement after a day, take the hamster to a vet.
Skin and Hair Problems
Should your hamster be allergic to baths (either the water or the soap), it could develop rashes, bald spots, or even skin infections. Such infections typically come about as the hamster scratches the problem area until it becomes an open wound, into which bacteria can grow and get ugly.
Infections need treatment from a veterinarian—so pack your pet into a comfy box, and off you go.
The above are risks, not absolutes. Bathing your hamster too often or too roughly will take off essential natural oils your pet uses for communication with other hamsters and defense against illnesses. These oils will return over time—to wit, until the critter’s next bath.
Can You Bathe a Hamster in Warm Water?
You can most certainly bathe a hamster in warm water. In fact, if you choose to bathe your hamster at all, warm water is a must. Water that’s too hot or too cold is an absolute no-no. Test it as you would when bathing a human baby by placing some of the water on your wrist to ensure it’s warm.
Water that’s too hot may scald a hamster’s delicate skin, while cold water only increases the odds of the poor fellow catching a cold.
What Is the Maximum Volume of Water in a Hamster Bath?
The rule of thumb about water depth for hamster baths is: up to the shoulders only. Your hamster isn’t a champion free diver and probably isn’t aspiring to become one. Make sure the hamster can stand in the water without suddenly finding itself lost inside the bowl.
Another rule to observe is to always keep a close eye on the hamster during baths. Don’t assume that your hamster can swim and leave it alone in a bowl or basin as you attend to another task. Hamsters are poor swimmers and shouldn’t be left in water (no matter how shallow) unsupervised.
Is It Necessary To Bathe Hamsters?
While bathing a hamster in water is sometimes the correct call (sticky fur, a dirty bottom), these little guys aren’t exactly the pig-pens of the animal kingdom. Quite the reverse. They are fastidious when it comes to self-grooming.
Perhaps you’ve already noticed your hamster behaving like a cat—that is, licking its fur and paws. These little rodents love to keep themselves clean, even when it isn’t date night. Hamsters spend about 20% of their day making sure they’re clean.
Better still, these animals are almost 100% odor free. It’s tough to make stink jokes about hamsters unless the owner (hint: that’s you) isn’t keeping their cages clean.
Clean your pet’s bedding, water bottle, and toys at least once a week. Most of the time, the hamster will take care of its own baths.
Is a Sand Bath a Good Alternative?
A water bath is not harmful to hamsters so long as the correct procedure is taken. But if you’ve read this article and are now decided against it, you can try a sand bath.
To prepare your hamster for a sand bath, you can place no-dust sand like the Niteangel Hamster Desert Bath Sand (available on Amazon.com) in a small bowl. The sand is fragrance (and color free) and promotes natural digging behavior in your hamster.
With a bit of good fortune, the animal will begin to twist and wriggle around in it, getting its fur clean in the process.
Some hamsters really seem to enjoy these baths, while others…not so much. Still, if you’re not comfortable with water baths, you can give sand baths a shot.
Niteangel Hamster Desert Bath Sand | No-Dust Bath or Potty Litter Sand for Hamster Chinchillas Gerbil Mice Degu or Other Small Pets
Conclusion
It’s okay to give your hamster a water bath, but infrequently. Veterinarians aren’t keen on the idea because not only do hamsters bathe themselves, but a water bath can cause colds and infections, two things we’d rather not put a cute little ball of fur through.
Should a water bath become necessary, use lukewarm water in a shallow pan that doesn’t submerge your pet. A wet toothbrush is also an option.
In both instances, stick with unscented, non-aggressive soap. After the bath, dry your hamster well.