Sand baths are a way that hamsters, both pet and wild, can groom themselves and keep clean. Hamsters don’t enjoy a traditional soap and water bath like we do, and prefer to keep their fur in the best condition by rolling about in an area of sand.
But what exactly is a sand bath? Why do hamsters use it? Does your hamster need one? If so, how do you set one up?
Fortunately, we’ve got all the answers here. Keep reading on to find out everything you need to know about hamster sand baths.
What Is A Sand Bath?
A sand bath is a different type of bath than we are used to. While we wash ourselves, and bigger pets such as dogs, with soap and water, a sand bath allows your hamster to clean themselves by rolling around in the sand. Soap and water will wash away the natural oils on your hamster’s fur, which could cause skin problems.
A sand bath, on the other hand, offers a safer way for your hamster to bath, as it removes grease and grime from your pet’s fur without any harsh or stripping chemicals. Your hamster simply rolls around in it and it helps to clean their coat!
A sand bath should be made from pet-safe sand which is placed in a small container that your hamster can easily get in and out of it, but is also deep enough to roll around in.
Does My Hamster Need A Sand Bath?
Hamsters are generally clean animals and will clean themselves, so they don’t technically need a sand bath. However, even the cleanest hamsters will end up looking a little grubby from time to time, which is when a sand bath can be very useful.
Hamsters also enjoy playing in the sand in their sand bath, as it reminds them of their natural environment in the wild. This will keep them entertained as well, to prevent them from becoming bored.
Sometimes, your hamster may look so dirty you think you need to give them a bath with soap and water. However, you should only use soap and water if your hamster has something dangerous on their fur, such as human food they can’t digest.
How To Set Up A Sand Bath For Your Hamster
Now you know what a sand bath is and why your hamster might need one, let’s take a look at how to set one up. Fortunately, they’re very easy and cheap to make!
Type Of Sand
The type of sand you use should be pet-friendly. You can either find this at pet stores, or, more simply, you can buy children’s play sand. You can purchase this from your local hardware store.
If you’re buying sand from a pet store, make sure it is not dust meant for chinchillas. While chinchilla sand can be used, dust sand, often labelled as “bathing dust” that is designed for chinchillas is not acceptable. This is because it is very fine and dusty, which can irritate your hamster’s respiratory system.
You also shouldn’t use calcium sand from the reptile section of a pet store. This sand is designed to clump when reptiles use it for the bathroom, so it is not safe for hamster’s to bathe in.
Type Of Dish
The type of dish or container you use for your sand bath doesn’t really matter, as long as it is shallow, clean and big enough for your hamster to move around in. You will be able to get a container from a pet store or online, or you may even find something suitable around your home.
Think about the ease of cleaning the sand bath. For this reason, we recommend an acrylic, Pyrex or glass dish.
Setting The Sand Bath Up
Once you have chosen your dish, you should fill it with an inch or two of sand. You want enough sand that your hamster can roll about without their body coming into contact with the bottom or sides of the sand bath container. You shouldn’t fill it to the brim, otherwise the sand will overflow when they use the bath.
Where To Place The Sand Bath
We recommend you place the sand bath on a sturdy platform of some sort within your hamster’s home. Their home should have different platforms (learn about correctly housing your hamster here), and one of these is the safest option for the sand bath.
Don’t put the sand bath directly on the substrate/bedding. This is because your hamster will likely burrow underneath it when burrowing in their substrate, and it can then collapse and fall on them.
How To Clean Your Hamster’s Sand Bath
You should check your hamster’s sand bath for any poop daily, when you spot clean them. You may find your hamster uses their sand bath as a bathroom — this is perfectly normal and nothing to worry about! Along with the rest of your spot cleaning, scoop out the poop in the sand bath and it will prevent your hamster from getting dirty.
Partially cleaning your hamster cage should take place weekly, and we recommend this as the time to remove the sand bath and clean it properly.
Cleaning the sand bath is simple; empty the sand out and clean the dish out (using hamster safe cleaning products). You can then either throw the sand away and replace it with clean sand, or you can actually clean the sand yourself and reuse it.
To clean the sand, make sure you sieve the sand first to remove any clumps or debris in the bath. Transfer the sand to a container and add a towel to your sieve. Place the sand back in the sieve, on top of the towel, and cover in water. This will effectively “wash” the water.
Allow the the water to drain through the sand. Once it is drained, transfer the sand to an oven proof dish and bake the sand at 400 degrees to kill any pests and dry it out. Once it is cool and dry, you can place it back in the clean sand bath dish, and return it to your hamster’s home.
You can learn about cleaning your hamster’s home here.
How Often Should I Give My Hamster A Sand Bath?
How often you give your hamster a sand bath is up to you. Some owners like to provide their hamster with a sand bath at all times, so it is permanently in their cage. This also gives them the opportunity to use it as something to play with. Others, on the other hand, prefer to give them a sand bath for shorter periods of time.
The most important thing to remember is that the sand you offer your hamster should be clean. The longer you keep the sand bath in the cage for, the quicker it will get dirty. Your hamster may also use it as a toilet.
As long as you are regularly cleaning your hamster out, and cleaning your sand bath too, it doesn’t matter how often you give them the sand bath.
Why Does My Hamster Not Use Their Sand Bath?
There can be two answers to this question. Firstly, it may be that your hamster just doesn’t like it! While hamsters come from sandy areas, they may not necessarily like using a sand bath. Every hamster is different, so if your hamster doesn’t seem interested, it’s not the end of the world.
The breed of your hamster can also affect whether they like their sand bath. It is thought that dwarf hamsters generally enjoy sand baths more than Syrian hamsters.
The second reason your hamster may not be using their sand bath is because they are sick. However, before you jump to this conclusion, check that they are cleaning themselves and exhibiting normal grooming behaviors. If they are, it may be they just don’t enjoy the sand bath. However, if they aren’t, there may be a bigger issue. Take a look below to see the reasons for this.
Why Is My Hamster Not Cleaning Themselves?
There can be a number of reasons why your hamster isn’t cleaning themselves properly. The most common reason is because there is an underlying health issue.
Check to see which normal grooming behavior your hamster isn’t exhibiting and see the possible reason why.
- If your hamster is not cleaning their face with their paws, then they may have a leg injury.
- If your hamster is not licking themselves or reaching round to groom their back legs then they may have overgrown teeth.
- If your hamster is grooming themselves as normal but is still looking grubby, then they may have a skin condition.
- If your hamster has matted hair or is balding, it could mean that your hamster has a problem like skin mites.
- If your hamster has an unclean rear end, this could be a symptom of the life-threatening condition known as wet tail. Take them to the vet immediately.
