Hamsters are popular pets, especially among children. One of the common concerns of hamster owners is whether their pet's cage will create an unpleasant odor and will be unsuitable for a bedroom. In this article, we'll explore the potential for a hamster cage to smell and what you can do to minimize or prevent odors from occurring.
Table of Contents
How To Keep A Hamster Cage From Smelling
Provide Enough Ventilation
One way to keep a hamster cage from smelling is to provide enough ventilation. Air circulation is an important factor in preventing the build up of ammonia and other odours.
It's obviously not really an issue with bar cages – which still need enclosed areas to allow for bedding deep enough to let the hamster burrow, but air circulation won't be restricted with them.
Be mindful of plastic tubes
Some of the hamster cages currently sold include plastic tubes, which are not necessarily the best choice when it comes to preventing odours. Hamster urine can accumulate inside the tubes and become a source of unpleasant smells.
These tubes are very controversial anyway as they are quite dangerous. Obviously designed trying to replicate the tunnels digged by the hamsters in the wild, they simply do not work. They must never be vertical for a start, hamsters are not designed to climb and it's cruel to force them to use these things, the risk of injury is also very high.
Even the horizontal tubes are not recommended: they must be wide enough so hamsters do not get stuck, but the ventilation is always minimal. It's dangerous in the hottest months because air cannot circulate and the temperature inside the tube can become too hot for the hamster.
Some hamsters try to build a nest in them by bringing bedding and food, but again, the lack of ventilation make them unsuitable and the hamster should gently be encouraged to make a nest elsewhere.
Stay away from enclosures too deep
When the advice is always to have an enclosure deep enough to allow at least 6 inches + of bedding (some say 12") so the hamster can burrow, this might sound contradictory. In fact, what it means is that enclosures on several levels without any ventilation are not suitable. Hamsters need unbroken floor space anyway, they do not need a high cage.
The cabinet-style enclosures, sometimes with only a vertical tube for access up and down levels, and no ventilation on the bottom level are horrific and should not be considered.
The Pawhut-style cages, ideally with levels removed, are absolutely fine.
Make sure the lid allows enough ventilation
Whether you prefer a glass tank, or build your own DIY bin cage, or enclosure repurposing furniture from a well know flat pack furniture shop, the lid must allow for ventilation. Hamsters are escape artists , you do need a lid, and these lids must be secure enough to prevent the hamster from going out. It must also allow enough airflow.
If you have a bin cage, the plastic lid with a few holes drilled in them are not enough. The poor animal needs a lot more fresh air! Instead, use one of the plastic grids designed for this type of cages, or a mesh lid that can be secured to the enclosure. Hamsters have been know to somehow chew through thin mesh, so make sure the enclosure is secure.
Clean the cage
Studies have shown that it's not necessary or advisable to do a full clean cage every week, getting rid of all the beddings and the content to put entirely new and fresh substrates. It does stress the hamsters who lose all their familiar scents and familiar home, putting them in a new situation. It's also expensive for the owners and time consuming unnecessarily as it's not in the hamster best interest. Their heart rates climbs to the highest level and it takes them up to an hour to recover from all the stress.
The larger the enclosure, the less often you need to deep clean it. Spot cleaning will be enough.
As well as obsessively grooming themselves, hamsters are generally clean and stick to one area to use as a bathroom. Sadly sometimes that area is their wheel! But you can clean it every day or 2 days if needed.
Beware that some individual hamsters seem to urinate randomly!
Of course, if your vet advises otherwise, if the cage has signs of any parasites, mites, fleas, ringworms, the enclosure will need a full and complete clean.
Give them a sand bath and a coconut soil area
Hamsters must never be put in water, showered or washed (unless exceptional circumstances advised by a vet). Instead, make sure to give them a sand bath, any container big enough for them to roll around, and groom themselves. They will use it to naturally keep their fur clean without removing their natural oils.
Do not use dust sand (chinchilla sand), or sand with added calcium. Sanitized play sand, calcium and dye free reptile and aquarium sand will be fine.
Many hamsters will use this as a litter tray and urinate in it. This you can clean every day or couple of days, which will help maintaining a smell-free cage.
Spot clean: when hamster have decided to use their sand bath as a litter tray, it's very simple to spot clean and remove the urine soiled sand, and replace it with fresh one.
If they prefer urinating in their soil area, in the same way it's easier to spot clean and remove the soiled substrates.
What is SAFE to help with Cage Smell
Forage Mix: Dried Herbs and Flowers as Natural Air Fresheners
Flowers and Herbs are a great source of enrichment for these little animals who would naturally explore and forage in the wild. Dried flowers and herbs add color, texture, flavor variation to their diet as well as act as natural air fresheners.
You can purchase a variety of mixes in pet stores or make your own with plant cuttings from your garden. Just be sure to steer clear of any toxic plants that could harm your hamster. Also make sure there's no additive when you purchase them from a store.
When you sprinkle the herbs around, the hamster will enjoy foraging for them, and it helps make the whole cage smell better.
Plants you can use are for example:
Botanical hay, safe for all hamsters, with timothy hay, chamomile, lavender, lemon balm.
Bay Leaf
Black Currant Leaves
Blackberry Leaves
Blueberry Leaves
Chamomile
Cornflower
Daisies
Dandelion Flowers
Dandelion Leaves
Lavender
Lemon Balm
Lemon Verbena
Marigold
Oregano
Parsley
Peppermint
Rose Hips
Rose Petals
Star Anise
Strawberry Leaves
Sunflower Petals
Do not give parsley to pregnant hamsters.
What is UNSAFE and must Not be Used in your Hamster Cage
Scented Bedding or Nesting Material
Hamsters have an extremely strong sense of smell , and many scented bedding materials may actually be harmful to your hamster. Not only they irritate their respiratory track they will also stress the little animals completely, as any strong smell is overpowering for them and they cannto escape. Imagine having to sleep on a pillow drenched in perfume or cleaning product!
To Conclude
Hamsters are clean animals and will only use one area to go to the bathroom. However, if you provide a sand bath and a soil area, they will be able to keep themselves clean. You can also sprinkle dried flowers and herbs around the cage which will act as natural air fresheners. Just make sure you avoid any toxic plants that could harm your hamster. Finally, avoid using scented bedding or nesting material as this can irritate your hamster’s respiratory track and cause stress. With the right care and a clean cage, your hamster will be happy and healthy.