Smelly Hamster Cage

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ratface1

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Okay, so I've had my girl Peanut now for about two years without any problem, but lately, the cage has started to really stink. I walk in the room and it smells like urine. I've tried everything I can think of to get rid of the smell, but it hasn't made much of a difference. I changed the bedding from the awful pine chips (which I hate) to a better, more absorbent brand, and that has helped a little. I've even put baking soda next to the cage to help absorb the smell (the orange box on the right). However, I still smell pee, even after cleaning with vinegar and scrubbing the cage and wall. Any ideas?

Here are some pictures of her cage.

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What an adorable little girl :)

Please take Peanut in to see a good vet with the knowledge and experience to treat hamsters as she may be ill … Peanut may have health issues that require a change in diet or medications
If her urine is very strong, Peanut may be dehydrated ……. also you need to have at least 2 sources of water in her cage - a water dish attached to the side of the cage, that can not be upset might be a good addition.
With rats I would suggest that in addition to a vet visit she be given soft foods as they contain more water such as vegs …. but I am not aware what a good healthy diet is for hamsters
....... that cage is way too small! ………. even too small for a tiny mouse :(
so I would suggest a huge cage …….. with a base at least 30 inches by 18 inches ….. you might consider a one section critter nation cage or a martins R695 powdered cage with flip top lid (all the wire floors would need to be covered - I can make suggestions if you get the cage) martinscages.com

use unscented paper based or hardwood shavings (softwood such as pine will slowly destroy their lungs)
you might try using a litter box containing a different type of unscented paper based litter such as unscented yesterdays news to see if she will use a litter box - I don't know much about hamsters so I am assuming it would be safe as it is used with rats

the smell of urine can get into plastics etc and that may be part of the problem
you might also upgrade her wheel to a solid wheel (silent spinner, etc) that is 12 inches in diameter as that wheel is too small for Peanut
and with a larger cage you will have room to provide Peanut with more enrichment items

I realise that stores sell that cage and wheel for hamsters but they are really much too small
stores generally give very bad information about small pets and their needs
 
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....... that cage is way too small! ………. even too small for a tiny mouse :(
so I would suggest a huge cage …….. with a base at least 30 inches by 18 inches ….. you might consider a one section critter nation cage or a martins R695 powdered cage with flip top lid (all the wire floors would need to be covered - I can make suggestions if you get the cage) martinscages.com

use unscented paper based or hardwood shavings (softwood such as pine will slowly destroy their lungs)
you might try using a litter box containing a different type of unscented paper based litter such as unscented yesterdays news to see if she will use a litter box - I don't know much about hamsters so I am assuming it would be safe as it is used with rats

the smell of urine can get into plastics etc and that may be part of the problem
you might also upgrade her wheel to a solid wheel (silent spinner, etc) that is 12 inches in diameter as that wheel is too small for Peanut
and with a larger cage you will have room to provide Peanut with more enrichment items

I realise that stores sell that cage and wheel for hamsters but they are really much too small
stores generally give very bad information about small pets and their needs


Thanks, I will look into a bigger cage. I already have a silent spinner and it's actually quite big for her, but I could try to get a bigger size.
 
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