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15.04.2018
Hamsters are very clean animals. They take care of their home, throwing garbage outside, and wash themselves often. To help the animal live clean, you can organize a special dry bath for it. Sand is very important for a hamster: in it the animal can clean its paws and fur from excess debris and fat.
Creating a sand bath
You can buy a bathing suit at a pet store, or you can make it yourself from scrap materials. It is better to choose a shallow container so that the fluffy does not scatter sand and fall out of it, swaying from side to side.
A transparent container is ideal, allowing you to closely monitor the process. The dwarf hamster funny falls on its back and tumbles, and the Syrian loves to scratch its sides and roll around in the sandbox.
What containers can be used
You need to choose a container that is stable so that a rodent cannot knock it over. Choose:
- carrier-container for rodents;
- ceramic plate;
- food container, deep saucer or bowl;
- round aquarium or terrarium made of glass;
- plastic container for wet wipes without a lid.
Sand
Sand for bathing hamsters should be of medium size. Large ones can injure the skin, and small ones can get into the eyes and respiratory tract.
It is prohibited to use ordinary, volcanic and parrot sand. The best choice would be sand for chinchillas with the following composition: without talc, containing sepiolite, quartz and round grains of sand.
Options with approximate prices and manufacturing countries that are suitable for a hamster:
- Padovan "Bathing Sand". Price – 560−600 rub. for 1.3 kg. Manufacturer – Italy.
- Versele-Laga "Chinchilla Bathing Sand". Price – 600−650 rub. for 1.3 kg. Manufacturer – Belgium.
- JRFarm "ChinchillaSand". Price – 250−350 rub. for 1 kg. Manufacturer – Germany.
- Vitakraft "Sandy". Price – 420−440 rub. for 1 kg. Manufacturer – Germany.
- Beaphar "XtraVital". Price – 500−600 rub. for 1.3 kg. Manufacturer – Netherlands.
When purchasing, keep in mind that the packaging will be enough for one hamster for a long time. The packaging is designed for a chinchilla whose weight is 10 times that of a hamster. For swimming, it is enough to pour a layer of 2-3 centimeters; the sand can be used more than once.
Organization of a sand bath
Bath container
You can purchase a bathing suit at a pet store (the smallest one intended for birds), or use improvised means. The container should be deep so that the homa does not scatter sand around and fall out, rolling from side to side.
It’s good if the container is transparent - watching rodents wash themselves is incredibly funny. The Syrian hamster usually rubs its sides, “rides” around the sandbox, dwarf hamsters roll over on their backs and tumble.
The container must be stable so as not to tip over. Use:
- carrying container for rodents;
- a plastic container for wet wipes with the lid removed;
- glass round terrarium, aquarium;
- food container, deep bowl.
Sand
The sand for bathing hamsters should not be too coarse so that the particles do not injure the skin, but not too fine so that the dust does not irritate the eyes and respiratory tract.
Can not use:
Normal from sandbox
Natural sand is a source of parasites and infections and contains impurities and debris. Even if it is calcined and sifted, the construction sand is too coarse and scratches the skin of the animal.
For parrots
Cleaning feathers is different from cleaning the fine hairs of thick fur. Sand for parrots is not only hygiene, but also mineral nutrition. Crushed shells, activated carbon and other impurities are added to it. It is not suitable for rodents.
Volcanic
Volcanic sand is sand only in name and has nothing in common with the usual quartz. This is a clay mineral powder (aluminosilicates, zeolite), light and fine. It is harmful to hamsters - they start sneezing.
Sand for chinchillas
To buy a bath filler at a pet store, you need to know what kind of sand is needed for hamsters. It is not produced specifically for these rodents. It makes no sense to ask the consultant whether chinchilla sand can be used for hamsters. Experience of hamster breeders: possible, but not everyone.
A good sand for a hamster is one that does not contain talc. Before purchasing, study the composition. Trusted companies use the mineral sepiolite and quartz, and the small grains of sand have a round shape.
Suitable options indicating the country of origin and approximate price:
- JRFarm “ChinchillaSand” (250-350 rubles per 1 kg, Germany);
- Vitakraft “Sandy” (420-440 rubles per 1 kg, Germany);
- Padovan “Bathing Sand” (560-600 rubles for 2 l., Italy);
- Beaphar “XtraVital” (500-600 rubles for 2 liters, the Netherlands);
- Versele-Laga “Chinchilla Bathing Sand” (600-650 rubles for 2 liters, i.e. 1.3 kg, Belgium).
When calculating how much sand for hamsters costs, you should remember that the packaging will last a long time for one animal: the sand can be used repeatedly. Sand is packaged for a chinchilla, which weighs 10 times more than a chinchilla.
A layer of at least 2-3 cm is poured into the bathing suit.
Bathing process
To prevent the bath from turning into a sleeping hut with supplies or a toilet, the container is not left in the cage on a permanent basis. Sand for hamsters - Djungarians and Syrians - is an irresistible temptation to relieve themselves. Therefore, after the bathing procedure, it is sifted, and especially responsible owners - calcined. Store the sand in a tightly closed container so that it does not accumulate moisture.
Bathing is carried out 1-2 times a week. The hamster should not be left alone; the bathtub should be removed as soon as the pet loses interest in it. The procedure should not last more than half an hour.
This bath is a good alternative to water procedures. The owner does not need to think about how to bathe a hamster in the sand so as not to harm the pet. The animal will do everything itself, guided by instinct.
Difficulties only happen the first time. The hamster may simply ignore the new object. Then the question arises - how to accustom a hamster to sand. It's enough to wait. The bathing suit is placed in the cage (or, conversely, the rodent is placed in it) only when the animal has woken up for night activity, is well-fed and alert. After a quarter of an hour, the curious pet will begin to rummage through the bathing suit, and soon begin to lie around.
Benefits and harms of sand baths
Hamsters are not allowed to bathe in water; it is unnatural for them. But sand can also cause harm if it is used incorrectly.
pros
A sand bath can replace a full bath for Syrian and Angora (long-haired) hamsters. For the latter, the bathing procedure is unpleasant, but it helps keep the coat clean, removes dead skin flakes and fallen hairs, and makes the fur soft and shiny. In addition to hygienic benefits, it allows the Djungarian hamster to be physically active and gives the opportunity to have fun.
Minuses
Bathing can be harmful if certain rules are not followed. The bathing suit cannot be kept in the cage all the time, otherwise the animal will not resist the temptation to relieve itself in it and roll out in it. Frequent baths will also not be beneficial: the hamster’s skin will dry out and begin to lose its protective properties.
How to create a sand bath
There is nothing difficult about creating a bathtub. You just need to take a container and place sand there in a layer of at least 2-3 cm thick. But here it is important not to make a mistake in choosing the vessel and the material itself, so as not to injure the pet and not cause yourself unnecessary trouble.
What containers can be used
Usually a bathing suit for a rodent can be purchased at a pet store or on the Internet, but if this is not possible, then you can use improvised means. You need to find a deep (so that the material does not crumble when the hamster cleans itself and plays) and preferably transparent (which will allow you to observe the pet) container. The vessel must be stable. Otherwise, the hamster will simply turn it over.
Important! Before choosing sand, it is better to consult a veterinarian to know about contraindications and recommendations specifically for your pet.
An example of a bathing container would be:
- glass aquarium;
- food storage container;
- deep food bowl;
- a carrier for rodents, or, more precisely, its lower part.
In general, use any vessel that is on hand. The main thing in a sand bath is to find the right sand.
Sand selection
When choosing sand, it is important to understand that it must be sufficiently crushed, but not into dust, so that it does not get into the pet’s eyes and respiratory tract. If you choose too large a material, then there is a possibility of injuring the delicate skin of the hamster.
There are several types of sand that are contraindicated for use in bathing hamsters:
Did you know? For a comfortable life, a hamster's cage should be about 50x40 cm in size.
- Natural. It is dangerous because it is too large and may contain debris, harmful impurities, parasites and infections.
- Volcanic. Too small, it makes the hamster sneeze.
- For parrots. It has many impurities specifically for birds, which can harm your pet.
- For chinchillas. Not everyone is suitable, so it is better to consult a consultant.
The best material for rodents is a material that does not contain talc. Materials from such manufacturers as Padovan “Sandy”, JRFarm “ChinchillaSand”, Beaphar “XtraVital” are considered suitable.
Which sand to choose
Sand for bathing can be purchased at a special pet store. Usually a 1 kg package is enough for six months if your animal is a small breed. A pack will last a Syrian a few months less, but it all depends on the frequency of bathing procedures. There is no sand for a specific breed; the conditions of choice are equal for everyone. When choosing, you need to pay attention to hygiene conditions and the size of the grains of sand.
Sand should be:
- Right size. Large grains of sand can cause injury, while small grains will get into your eyes, ears and mouth.
- The grains of sand should be the same in diameter.
- It must be clean and sterile. The best choice would be to purchase it at a pet store.
You can also use regular sand collected from a pond. But be sure to rinse it under hot water and dry it thoroughly over a fire in a frying pan or oven.
After bathing procedures, the sand needs to be sifted, or even better, dried in a frying pan. For storage, you need to choose a dry place and put it in a closed container, protecting it from moisture.
Sand for rodents. How to choose?
Surely a person who has never encountered a chinchilla will be surprised by the fact that it only bathes in sand. And therefore, the question of how to choose sand for a chinchilla becomes one of the main ones. After all, the beauty of a pet, in particular the well-groomed nature of its coat, depends on the quality of sand for bathing chinchillas you purchase. Let's figure out what the owner of this sweet creature needs to pay attention to and how to choose sand for a chinchilla.
To begin with, let’s immediately dot all the “Is” in the issue of ordinary quartz sand. It is not suitable for bathing such a rodent. Firstly, it is too large - it simply will not clean the thick fur of the animal, and secondly, its particles are quite sharp, which, as you understand, is not good. Quartz sand for rodents destroys the structure of the fur coat, causing the hairs to split and then completely fall out.
In the wild, chinchillas choose volcanic dust for bathing. It is ideal for their soft fur: it cleans it perfectly, does not damage it, and also perfectly absorbs moisture. This is very important: the highlands of the Andes - the homeland of such rodents - are characterized by strong winds, dry air and lack of rain, so the animal itself will not be able to cope with the unusually humid air of our latitudes. His fur absorbs moisture with lightning speed and he freezes, but he himself cannot warm up - he has no sweat glands, there is no thermoregulation. Therefore, immediately discard any sand for bathing chinchillas that does not have hydrophilic properties.
Sepiolite or zeolite are the minerals that should be included in the sand. They are small and will not harm the animal. And so that you know for sure that you have chosen the right “shampoo”, we suggest you conduct several experiments with it. This is not difficult and can be done at home, but you will be sure that your pet’s fur is not in danger.
Test No. 1: Pour some sand into your palm and look at it carefully - it should be matte. If you find shine, it means there is quartz there. Next, rub it between your fingers. If you feel a tingling sensation, it’s bad. Really good sand should leave a slight powdery feeling on your hands.
Test #2: Take some sand and wet it. If this little porridge looks like clay, a little viscous and viscous - dreamy, so it should be.
T eat No. 3: Take a glass, pour a couple of spoons of sand into it and fill it with water. The quartz sand will immediately sink to the bottom, while the sand we need will remain floating on the surface, slowly settling.
Bath for hamsters
You need to choose a suitable container that will serve as a bath. You can choose any ceramic dishes, plastic food containers, plastic jars or soap dishes. It’s easy to make a bathing suit yourself from cardboard, but it won’t last long. Choose any container that is at least roughly the size of your hamster. You can also buy a bathing suit at a pet store.
How to teach a hamster to bathe in sand
If this is your first time placing your pet in a sand bath, difficulties may arise. For example, he will simply ignore the bathing suit and crawl out of there, not knowing what to do. Teaching a hamster to bathe in sand takes time. Usually, to do this, they place the bathing suit directly in the cage and wait until the pet begins to interact with it, and then bathe. The main thing: do not place your pet in this container every minute, wanting to speed up the process, because with such actions you will simply scare him away.
Did you know? Hamsters are quite smart animals and can even remember a few tricks.
How a hamster washes itself in sand
Each hamster bathes in sand differently. For example, the Syrian “rides” on the material, rubbing its sides against it, while the Djungarian is more active: they like to tumble and roll over on their back. For your pet, this procedure is more like a game, so he does not need additional help from you, but it is not recommended to leave him alone. As soon as interest in the bathroom is lost, the hamster is placed back in the cage. The procedure should not exceed 30 minutes.
You can bathe your hamster in sand no more than 1-2 times a week.
