Hamster Baths?

Question

I am scared what will happen if I give my hamster a bath , they have small animal shampoo that says that can be used on hamsters, but my friend says that if I give him a bath he will get wet tail and die. Does anyone know if giving hamsters a bath is okay? ( And this is shampoo, its not dust for a dwarf hamster)

Answer 1

Even though most hamsters dont need to bathe, you can still give it a bath, just use a small amount of the small animal shampoo and use luke-warm water, but not too hot. If your hamster is young, it might be easier to bathe it because its possible for young hamsters to learn how to swim, but to avoid wet-tail just dry it off with a towel and keep it warm. Wet Tail isnt really caused by hamsters being wet and cold, its mostly caused by their owners not having a clean cage, so dont worry too much about that.

Answer 2

Hamsters will never need to be bathed in water.

They are naturally clean animals and if they smell, it is only because the cage is not cleaned regularly.

If you feel it needs to be cleaner, get Chinchilla sand from the pet store- not dust, dust will cause respiratory issues- put a layer in a bowl or saucer, and let the hamster roll in it for a few minutes, then remove it from the cage or else it will become the toilet.

Hamsters do not go near water in the wild, they get moisture from the foods they eat. They are not equipped to swim and will likely drown.

Wet tail is a bacterial infection and is not caused by water.

However, being wet will chill the hamster, lowering its immunities, making the chances greater.

It also removes essential oils from the hamster's fur that it needs.

Answer 3

do no  and i repeat, DO NOT give your hamster a bath. rodents arn't meant to take baths. trust me, i gave my dwarf hamster a bath the week after i got it and it died the next day. even though it was a quick dip and i blow dried it and everything.

Answer 4

ITS FINE! don't put them in the full bathtub but if you get a washcloth wet with room temperature water and put it over the hamster she will be fine i have 9 hamsters and i do it all the time nothing has ever happened!

Answer 5

"Hamster shampoo" is a scam that companies sell to try and make extra money. Hamsters can not have baths for many reasons:

1. Hamsters, like chinchillas, have a special type of extra thin and very soft fur. If it gets wet, it will take a very long time to dry and the animal with catch hypothermia.

2. Baths are very stressful for a hamster, they hate it and become very nervous

3. Stress gives hamsters wet tail

4. You will most likely get bitten, hamsters that are afraid will often bite whoever is closest

5. Giving a hamster a bath would be stripping it of it's natural oils, therefore making it smellier.

6. Hamsters can't swim!

Please, return the product to the pet store. Dust baths are the only way to give a hamster a bath. Good luck with your hamster!

Answer 6

Hamsters dont need baths they clean them self up to nine times a day. They are very clean pets and if you wash him you probably will give him wet tail like your friend said. Wet trail usually leads to death.

Answer 7

Don't give hamsters baths.

Guinea pigs and rabbits need baths, but hamsters can fend for theirselves.

Listen to your friend, DON'T GIVE YOUR HAMSTER A BATH.

I thought about it, but I put a small bit of shampoo on her and she didn't move for 20 minutes.

I don't suggest it unless you are trying to kill it :/

If it really smells, you can try getting a safe pet odor spray, but don't do it directly on your hamster, spray some on a towel and gently wipe your hamster with it ^^

Answer 8

You do not, i repeat do not give a hamster a bath.  I have had a lot of hamster and you don't give them baths.

Answer 9

If you keep the hamster cage clean your hamster will not smell, therefore not needing a bath.  If you are scared and he doesn't need it don't do it and don't worry about it!

Answer 10

My advice:  Do not waste your money on shampoo. The next time you do laundry just simply throw your hamster in the washing machine too. He will come out spotless.

Answer 11

hamsters clean themselves. i would only think longhaired hamsters would need shampoo, but only on rare ocassions if it has been oked by a vet.

Answer 12

You should not bathe your hamster.  They don't like water and it could cause a cold.  Water does not cause wet tail.

Answer 13

Hamsters can't take baths you have to get them some chinchila sand not dust and rub it around them.If they take a bath they will get cold and die.

Answer 14

use the bath sand. he might catch cold with the shampoo.

Answer 15

i give my guinea pig a bath it says you can just to be careful. um hamster are preety small so idk