If you’re considering adopting a small, cute pet who’s relatively easy to care for, the Syrian hamster should be near the top of your list. Also known as golden hamsters or teddy bear hamsters, Syrian hamsters make wonderful pets, partly because they’re easy to care for.
Syrian hamsters like sand baths. When it comes to baths for your new pet, forget the soap and water! A traditional bath can be dangerous for Syrian hamsters. They like sand baths instead, which keep them clean without stripping vital oils from their fur and skin.
The rest of this article will discuss Syrian hamsters, including why they like sand baths, whether (and when) sand baths are necessary, and other things you need to know before choosing a Syrian hamster as a pet.
Do Syrian Hamsters Need Sand Baths?
Syrian hamsters need sand baths to stay free of dirt, oil, and parasites. However, as long as they have access to sand to roll in, these hamsters don’t need a bath from you and do a great job of keeping themselves clean.
On occasion, however, your pet hamster might get dirty, or his or her fur might become matted. When this happens, a sand bath can be helpful.
What Is a Sand Bath?
A sand bath is a container full of hamster-safe sand that your Syrian hamster can enter to roll around and get clean. The sand acts like an exfoliant, stimulating the skin and removing any dirt or debris.
Syrian hamsters come from arid environments where water is in short supply. Sand bathing helps remove dirt, oil, and parasites from their coats. Other animals in similar climates also engage in sand bathing, including gerbils, many species of birds, pigs, prairie dogs, and bison. Some animals also use sand baths as a method of marking their territory.
Can I Bathe My Syrian Hamster With Soap and Water?
Bathing your Syrian hamster in soap and water, regardless of how dirty he or she is, is a bad idea. Bathing hamsters with soap and water (or even just water) washes out the natural oils that protect their fur and skin.
Because hamsters can’t swim and have poor eyesight, they can drown in a bath. Water baths also cause a lot of stress for hamsters, and because they’re prone to heart conditions, this stress can kill them. Finally, hamsters are very sensitive to changes in temperature. Giving them a water bath can cause them to catch a cold and die.
How To Create a Sand Bath for Your Syrian Hamster
When preparing a sand bath for your hamster, think about a structure that’s just smaller than a cat’s litter box. You’ll need to have a few specific things for your sand bath, such as the right kind of sand and a container that will allow your hamster to roll around in the sand without touching the bottom or sides of the container.
What Kind of Sand Do I Need?
Look for sand made specifically for hamsters or other small rodent pets to bathe in. The sand can’t be too fine or dusty because this can cause respiratory issues and irritation in the hamster’s eyes.
The best sand is can be clumped and is easy to remove once wet or dirty.
Some hamster sand baths include sand enriched with nutrients or fragrance. These aren’t necessary for your pet hamster, and you should avoid them. The fragrance additives can cause allergic reactions in your hamster.
Finding the Best Sand Bath Container
Pet stores — online or brick-and-mortar — are the best places to look for a suitable sand bath container for your hamster. In fact, some stores carry sand bath kits that’ll include everything you need. Before buying a kit, however, make sure that all the components are safe for your hamster.
A small ceramic dish can work well as a hamster “bathtub.” The dish should be at least an inch (2.5 cm) deep to hold about a half-inch (1.3 cm) of sand. It should also have a flat bottom and no sharp edges that might hurt your hamster. Additionally, it should be large enough so your hamster can roll around but small enough to fit inside the cage.
Safety and Hygiene Tips
Chances are high that your hamster will enjoy the sand bath without your help — if you put a sand bath in the cage, your hamster will already know what to do with it. You can put the sand bath in your hamster’s cage about once a week, or whenever you notice your hamster is dirty. It’s a good idea to supervise your hamster during his or her sand bath.
You can also leave the sand bath in your hamster’s cage all the time. If you do this, make sure the bath sand and container are clean. Sometimes, hamsters will use their sand bath as a toilet when it’s in the cage all the time.
Final Thoughts
Syrian hamsters can make great pets that don’t require a lot of expensive equipment or an inordinate amount of care. If you want to keep your hamster clean, don’t be tempted to give him or her a traditional soap-and-water bath. Syrian hamsters both need and love a sand bath instead. This type of bath is easy to obtain and will help keep your hamster clean and healthy.