Many hamster owners know that hamsters can get a little bit dirty. From running around in their cages, burrowing in their bedding, and not to mention pooping where they sleep, it makes sense to want to water down your furry rodent friend every once in a while. But can you spray your hamster with water?
You can’t spray your hamster with water. You shouldn’t bathe your hamster unless it’s absolutely necessary, as hamsters can’t withstand significant temperature changes, so getting them wet can make them sick. Additionally, hamsters typically self-groom, which makes spraying them unnecessary.
The rest of this article will go over why you shouldn’t spray your hamster with water. I’ll also offer some tips on how to properly clean your hamster when necessary.
Why You Shouldn’t Spray Your Hamster With Water
Hamsters are tiny, fragile creatures that are the opposite of water animals. Their bodies aren’t designed to appropriately maintain their own body temperature, so it’s not good when they’re exposed to cold or warm water.
They also can’t regular their temperature once their wet bodies need to dry off — this can very quickly lead to hypothermia, and your hamster will start to shiver violently.
Major temperature changes such as this can lead your pet to get sick and even die, so there really is no need for you ever to get your hamster wet. Spraying them with water has a similar effect.
Hamsters are jumpy creatures — they need to be, considering their size — but the shock of being sprayed on top of the temperature change induced by getting wet can traumatize your little rodent. Therefore, you shouldn’t bathe or spray your hamster with water because it isn’t built to withstand those unexpected changes.
On the plus side, hamsters engage in cleaning behaviors to keep their skin and fur clean, much like a cat or a monkey. These cleaning behaviors include combing their fur multiple times a day. This is another reason why hamsters don’t need to be bathed — they do their own hygiene routines!
How Do I Clean My Hamster?
Most of the time, you won’t need to clean your hamster, as they self-groom. However, there may be instances when your hamster gets overly dirty and needs some help getting clean.
For example, suppose you’re cuddling with your hamster one morning and spill some juice on the floor. Then, your hamster crawls out of your lap and right through the puddle of liquid, getting sticky residue all over its little paws and fur.
In this case, you’ll want to give your hamster a gentle cleaning. But what do you do?
Well, you’ve luckily got a few different options to choose from when it comes to cleaning your hamster.
Give Your Hamster a Spot Bath
Don’t get confused — a spot bath doesn’t include actually bathing your hamster. It’s simply wiping your hamster down (gently) without the use of much water.
You can do this by using a soft microfiber cloth. Simply wet a spot the size of your pinky finger and use that to rub off any dirty areas on your hamster. Then, use the dry part of the cloth to pat your little hamster dry.
Give Your Hamster a Dust and Sand Bath
Another option that’s especially useful for hamsters is to let them have a dust bath (or a sand bath). You can purchase animal dust or animal sand at your local pet store and then follow the below steps to let your hamster give itself a bath:
- Pour a small amount of dust or sand into a dish. The dish should be big enough for your hamster to fully sit and roll around in.
- Place the dish inside your hamster’s cage. This will make sure your hamster can bathe itself on its own time.
- Remove the dish after 12 hours. This will give your hamster a sufficient amount of time to bathe.
What’s the Point of a Dust or Sand Bath?
Animal dust or sand helps the hamster remove oils and other moisture in a semi-natural setting. It does this by neutralizing oily compounds that may get trapped in the hamster’s fur over time.
At the same time, dust or sand baths give the hamster an activity to engage in. This is a different form of entertainment for hamsters, mainly because it mimics a more instinctive, natural behavior.
Brush Your Hamster’s Fur
Instead of bathing, one way to clean your hamster is simply by brushing it, especially if your hamster has long hair. Brushing your hamster with a small, thin comb (the Crafterlife Small Pet Grooming Kit from Amazon.com is your and your hamster’s best friend) will remove wood chips, bedding, and other pieces of debris from their hair.
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Final Thoughts
You shouldn’t spray your hamster with water or get it wet because they weren’t built to withstand the temperature changes that come with getting wet. In addition, bathing or spraying your hamster can lead to illness.
Hamsters are generally great at keeping themselves clean, but when they need some help, it’s best to stay away from water and use the methods described in this article.