Do Hamsters Need Baths? Sand Baths for Dwarf Hamsters

The RSPCA says hamsters “don’t typically require grooming beyond their own self-grooming and occasional access to a sand bath.” That list has two items: the hamster’s own grooming, and a sand bath now and then.

Hamsters are small rodents, among the smallest pets people keep. They have sensitive whiskers, and the RSPCA says their sense of smell is “very important to hamsters.”

What a Sand Bath Is

A sand bath is sand set out so a hamster can bathe in it in place of water. The RSPCA’s word for how often a hamster needs one is “occasional.”

Think of a sand bath as a spa day for your hamster. Sand baths are believed to help remove excess oils, help keep their coats in tip-top condition, and even make them feel great after a good rolling session. And when your little buddy is happy, everybody's happy!

Do Hamsters Need a Water Bath?

The RSPCA’s grooming advice names a hamster’s own self-grooming and a sand bath, and adds one exception: “some long-haired hamster varieties may require weekly brushing to remove any matts, bedding and debris from their fur.” It also says: “If you’re unsure about grooming and want some advice, speak to a pet care specialist.”

The Merck Veterinary Manual does mention bathing in one place. Its list of treatment options for Demodex infestation includes bathing with selenium sulfide shampoo. That is a treatment for a hamster with a diagnosed skin problem, and the professional edition of the manual is written for veterinarians. A hamster whose fur looks wrong needs a vet.

Fur and Skin Changes That Need a Vet

PDSA says: “if you notice changes in their behaviour or appearance, contact your vet immediately.” It lists several causes of fur loss in hamsters: overgrooming or rubbing against cage bars, fur chewing by cage mates, skin parasites such as mange, ringworm, and underlying health conditions such as a thyroid problem or a kidney problem. The Merck Veterinary Manual says sick hamsters “can show weight loss, hunched posture, lethargy, rough fur, labored breathing, and a loss of exploratory behavior.”

A wet tail is a different problem from a wet coat. PDSA describes “wet tail” as diarrhoea, with symptoms that “tend to include diarrhoea, a wet or soiled tail, reduced appetite, lethargy (low energy), dehydration, and sometimes sudden death.” The RSPCA says hamsters “don’t show outward signs of pain, so may suffer before you realise,” which is why a change in behaviour or appearance is worth a call to the vet.

Dust, Scent, and Sand

This section is about bedding, the material a hamster burrows in and lives on, not about bath sand.

The RSPCA says: “Coarse sand is a natural substrate but is difficult to handle.” In its housing page for pet rodents, VCA says: “Avoid sawdust, corncobs, sand, cat litter, or dirt, as these materials can be dusty and irritating to rodents’ lungs.” PDSA says wood shavings and sawdust are “very dusty and can cause breathing problems,” and that scented bedding “can irritate your hamster’s airways.”

PDSA also names dust in eye problems: “Conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye) can be caused by bacterial infection, injury, living in a dusty environment, or tooth problems.”

Chinchillas are a different case. VCA writes: “Chinchillas should also be provided with a dust bath containing commercially available, fine particle sand for them to roll around in and bathe.” That line is about chinchillas. The RSPCA’s line is about hamsters, and a chinchilla’s dust bath is a separate subject (see chinchilla dust baths).

Keeping the Cage Clean, Dry, and Quiet

The RSPCA lists what a hamster’s home needs: “A comfortable, dry, clean place to live, in a quiet place where they can rest undisturbed.” It adds “No draughts or damp,” a room where the lights go off at more or less the same time each night, and a spot away from bright sunlight, because “Hamsters are also sensitive to bright sunlight.” It also says to keep hamsters away from objects that make sounds people cannot hear, such as televisions, computer screens, and vacuum cleaners.

On cleaning, the two charities give different schedules. The RSPCA says: “In most cases a deep clean once or twice a month should be sufficient. However, spot cleaning to remove any soiled bedding, uneaten food and faeces every few days is advisable.” PDSA recommends a daily spot clean to remove wet or soiled bedding, clean the bowls and bottles, and remove uneaten food. For a full clean, PDSA says: “Small cages typically need a full clean once a week, while larger set-ups may only need it every few weeks.”

Both charities say to clean when the hamster is awake. The RSPCA says: “Don’t allow the bedding material to become damp or smelly.” Because smell matters to hamsters, it also says to “transfer a small amount of old unsoiled bedding and nesting material when you clean out your hamsters’ cage.”

PDSA says: “Most hamster cages sold in shops aren’t big enough to meet a hamster’s most basic needs. We recommend providing them with a much larger space, such as an extra-large cage, glass tank, or homemade enclosure.” Look at hamster cages with that larger space in mind.

Picking Up a Hamster Safely

PDSA says: “Hamsters are prey animals, so being picked up can be scary for them.” Its steps are to form a cup with both hands on either side of the hamster’s body, scoop the hamster up securely with both palms, and hold it close to your body. PDSA adds: “Only try to handle your hamster when they’re awake and active, never when they’re sleeping as they’re likely to be scared and bite you.” It also says to sit on the ground while holding a hamster, so a hamster that jumps does not get hurt.

Roborovski Dwarf Hamsters

The Roborovski is one of several dwarf hamster breeds. The Merck Veterinary Manual’s table of hamsters commonly kept as pets lists the Roborovski with “no stripe on back” and a weight of ¾ ounce to 1 ounce (20 to 30 grams). The professional edition of the manual says of the dwarf hamsters, which it gives as, for example, the Djungarian and the Roborovsky: “Because of their small body size (< 100 g body weight), these hamsters are more difficult to handle and restrain for physical examinations and treatment.”

The RSPCA says: “Other species, such as the Roborovski dwarf hamster, naturally live in groups.” It adds that, with the right care and conditions, dwarf hamster species such as the Roborovski, the Campbell’s Russian dwarf, and the winter white dwarf can live together.

FAQ

How often should a hamster have a sand bath?

The RSPCA says “occasional access to a sand bath.” It all depends on what kind of hamster you have, but typically, a few times per week is enough. If you are unsure how often to offer one, the RSPCA says to “speak to a pet care specialist.”

Are hamsters clean animals?

The Merck Veterinary Manual says hamsters “are popular pets because they are fairly clean, affordable, and usually easy to care for.” The RSPCA adds that they do their own grooming.

Are hamsters and rats the same animal?

No. The Merck Veterinary Manual says: “Hamsters are small rodents and distant relatives of mice and rats.” Rats need specialized care of their own.

Sources

• RSPCA, Hamster health: grooming and dental care
• RSPCA, Hamster environment: home, bedding, and cage cleaning
• RSPCA, Hamsters: sociability and species
• PDSA, Hamsters as pets: bedding, cleaning, handling, and health problems
• VCA Animal Hospitals, Rodents: housing
• Merck Veterinary Manual, Description and physical characteristics of hamsters
• Merck Veterinary Manual professional edition, Hamsters

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