Why does my hamster smell like pee?
Hamsters smell like pee because they have relieved themselves in the bedding and/or other areas of the cage before rolling in it. This is odd behavior, but it can happen depending on how a hamster feels in its living environment.
It can be a disturbing smell to deal with and it can easily spread throughout the room depending on how strong it is. This is why the best course of action is to eradicate the smell before it worsens.
In most cases, the smell is going to begin emanating from the hamster before spreading to other parts of the cage.
The smell will often spread into the:
- Bedding
- Base of the Cage
- Fur
This is why it’s essential to stop the problem before it worsens.
If you are asking, “Why does my hamster smell like pee?” then it’s essential to come up with a plan right away. This guide is going to teach you how to remove the smell of pee from your hamster safely, effectively, and quickly.
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Tips for Improving How a Hamster Smells
Tip #1: Buy a Quality Shampoo Spray
Your first investment has to be to go out and by a quality shampoo spray for hamsters.
This is going to provide a nice “baby powder” smell that is going to be delightful to handle. You are going to enjoy being able to make the most of this spray and it’s going to get rid of the stench quickly.
Anyone that is dealing with a bad-smelling hamster will want a quick solution and this is it.
The shampoo spray will be safe, easy-going, and is going to make an immediate difference.
Tip #2: Never Bathe Your Hamster in Water
This is a common mistake and might seem like a good idea when it isn’t!
Other animals respond well to being bathed in water, but that is not the case here. Hamsters are not fond of water and will not want to take a bath in it.
Yes, they may go through with the process because you are handling them, but it is not good for their fur and it’s not what they prefer in the wild.
The reasons include:
- Unnatural for Hamsters
- Strips Natural Oils
- Hamsters Dislike Water
Instead of doing this, make sure the sand bath is clean and ready to go.
You will see far better results by doing this and the hamster is going to stay safe at the same time.
Tip #3: Set Up a Sand Bath
A sand bath is excellent and is going to mimic what a hamster would have in its natural environment.
Remember, hamsters are not like other animals meaning they won’t be taking baths in shallow pools of water. Instead, they are going to seek out sand as a way to cleanse themselves.
This is common since they prefer handling sand and their fur is designed to clean itself using sand.
As a result, it’s recommended to give them high-quality sand and set up a sand bath.
This is going to ensure they can regulate when they have to be cleaned. Most hamsters do a good job of cleaning themselves and it tends to come naturally to them.
Tip #4: Clean the Cage Frequently
Cleaning the cage is one of the biggest changes a hamster owner can make when it comes to managing bad odors.
In essence, you are going to want to create a set routine for when the cage will be cleaned.
It’s recommended to clean the cage every 2-3 weeks, but it’s okay to shorten this timeline to keep the cage as clean as possible.
If you feel the smell is pungent and needs to be corrected right away then cleanse the cage thoroughly. This is going to allow you to start fresh and follow a tighter schedule.
In most cases, it’s okay to tighten the schedule to 1 cleaning per week.
This is efficient, safe, and is going to ensure the hamster smells great throughout the week.
Final Thoughts
Why does my hamster smell like pee?”
It’s the first question you are going to have as soon as you pick up your hamster and bring it close to your face. The smell can be pungent and it’s not something you are going to want to have rubbing onto your hands!
So, what do you do when this happens?
If the smell of urine is coming from your hamster, it’s essential to cleanse the fur as soon as possible. A good shampoo spray is going to help with this problem and is going to have the hamster smell fresh in a matter of seconds.
Plus, you are not going to have to use water to cleanse the fur and that is a major plus!
For those learning how to take care of their hamster, go through these articles – sleeping habits for hamsters, understanding why hamsters pee in balls, reasons for a hamster shaking, and tips for assisting a hamster with dry skin.