Here’s a detailed guide to cleaning a hamster cage, compiled from animal behavior research and pet care expert recommendations:
I. Cleaning Frequency
Basic cleaning:
Daily: Remove leftover food and replace drinking water.
Weekly: A full clean and disinfection (including changing bedding).
Special situations: Clean immediately if your hamster has diarrhea or discolored (yellowish) urine.
II. Preparing Cleaning Tools
Use a pet-specific disinfectant (such as F10 SC) or a diluted white vinegar solution (1:10 ratio).
Warm salt water (1 teaspoon of salt in 500ml warm water) works well for tough stains.
A steel brush (avoid steel wool) for cleaning metal parts.
III. Step-by-Step Cleaning Process
Temporary Housing
Place your hamster in a temporary transition cage (minimum size 30×15cm).
Include the exercise wheel and familiar bedding from the original cage to reduce stress.
Deep Cleaning
Remove all bedding, but save a small amount of the old bedding to mix with the new—this helps your hamster adjust.
Rinse plastic or ceramic parts with 50℃ warm water; do not use dish soap.
Clean metal parts with the steel brush and salt water, then dry them thoroughly.
Disinfection Tips
Let the disinfectant sit for 10 minutes before rinsing it off with clean water.
For wooden toys, soak them in boiling water for 5 minutes (test a small area first to check for color fading).
IV. Bedding Selection and Replacement
Recommended materials:
Bottom layer: 5cm of paper cotton or wood shavings.
Top layer: 2cm of corn cob bedding or poplar wood shavings.
Notes:
Avoid cedar shavings—they contain phenols that are harmful to hamsters.
Change bedding more frequently during rainy seasons (when humidity exceeds 70%).
V. Handling Special Situations
Odor control:
Spray urine-stained areas with a 1% baking soda solution and let it sit for 10 minutes.
You can add activated carbon packets (ensure they’re chew-proof).
Relieving hamster anxiety:
After cleaning, put back items with their scent, like their sleeping nest.
Minimize interaction for the first 3 days and monitor their eating and toileting habits.
Key reminder: During winter cleaning, keep the environment temperature above 20℃ to prevent your hamster from catching a cold. After cleaning, it’s advisable to add vitamin C to their water (1 tablet per 500ml) to boost their immunity.