Hamster bathing should only be done under extreme conditions. Hamster fur contains lipids that help regulate body temperature. As a result, washing these oils with soap and water can be harmful. An unpleasant odor can be caused by dirty bedding or disease, so it is not a valid excuse to bathe your hamster. If you have identified dirty bedding as the cause of the odor, you should take your hamster to the veterinarian for a checkup.
If your hamster has gotten into a potentially toxic chemical such as paint, you can try cleaning it. Tanks, on the other hand, should only be used as a last resort after all other options have been exhausted. The first step is to think about how to clean your hamster's hair in a less damaging way.
Sand bath
Hamsters clean themselves by rolling sand in the wild. Digging their burrows also serves as a natural bath for them. Providing a chinchilla sand basin is the best alternative to washing your hamster to remove regular filth. Besides, all the owner has to do is put the sandbox in the cage and the hamster does the rest.
Chemical free pet wipes
Pet wipes are one notch lower in the safety rating, but should be fragrance-free and detergent-free. Baby wipes contain an artificial odor and should not be used to bathe hamsters as they will lick any residue left on their fur. Hold the hamster in the palm of your hand and clean the fur from front to back with a pet wipe. Avoid around the nose and eyes.
Bath with soap and water
If your hamster's hair is covered in toxic substances, you may need to bathe him with soap and water. Hamsters' natural tendency is to lick themselves clean, but this can be harmful. To start, use Pet Wipe to get rid of as many offending chemicals as possible. To prevent the hamster from licking its fur, restrain the hamster by wrapping it with only the nose visible. This will only work if someone is holding the hamster while you bathe.
The sides of the bath container should be high in case the hamster escapes while bathing. However, the water should be shallow in case you drop the soapy, slippery hamster into the water. Containers should also be placed on the floor so that the hamster does not jump from great heights when escaping. Two buckets in the bathtub are great for bathing your hamster. One for washing and the other for rinsing. When the hamster comes out of the bucket, it cannot climb the edge of the tub and can easily catch it.
To bathe your hamster, you need water that is neither too hot nor too cold. Check the temperature by immersing your wrist in water. The optimum water temperature is the same as the hamster's body temperature. Hamsters should not be present when pouring water. Because the sound of running water can be stressful. Make sure both buckets are ready before starting the procedure.
If possible, only wet a small portion of your pet. For example, if your hamster's hind paws have been soaked in fresh paint, they do not need to be fully soaked. If you need to clean your hamster's entire body, carefully drop it into the water, being careful not to get the head wet. In fact, the water is too deep if his face could be buried. Keep your hair dry while washing your hamster as water can cause serious illness if it gets into your hamster's nose or ears.
After wetting the hamster's fur, remove it from the water and apply soap or shampoo. It should be the mildest kind. Bathe your hamster with baby shampoo, mild soap, or specially formulated pet shampoo. Apply soap to your hamster's hair as soon as possible. To remove the initial layer of soap, put it back in the first bucket. Then he carefully drops his body into a second bucket for a final rinse.
After washing your hamster, the most important thing is to dry its fur. Prepare a handkerchief and absorbent paper towels for quick drying. In a warm environment, towel dry your hamster as completely as possible.
After washing your hamster, use a hair dryer to remove any remaining moisture. It is important not to return to the cage if the hamster is still wet. To avoid burning your hamster's sensitive skin, set the dryer to the lowest setting possible and keep a distance of at least 1 foot. The hamster will not sit still for this, so you will need to place your palms on it and blow dry the exposed areas of the fur. You can feel the hot air on your skin to prevent overheating.
If your hamster ingests a dangerous ingredient, you should give it activated charcoal, which is available at the pharmacy. You may need the help of a veterinarian. Activated charcoal is a useful item to keep in a medical cabinet as it inhibits the absorption of poisons inside.