Hamsters are well-trained and naturally clean pets. But if you do not control their movements, their potty might spread a foul odor all over the cage and your house. This will take you a long time to clean. It may be the only disadvantage of petting a hamster. Luckily, as hamsters are fast learners, you can potty train them quickly.
Hamsters generally use one spot as their bathroom. So, it is your job to find out that specific spot and set up a litter box containing sand and litter there. Keep changing the litter regularly after each potty. And if your hamster starts to go in another corner, just keep sticking the box in that corner and block the other ones.
Your hamster might become potty trained in an instant, or it may take a few weeks. In any case, you have to keep patience. Let’s get to know how to potty train a hamster in detail.
Steps to Potty Train a Hamster
Potty training is essential to keep the cage hygienic as much as possible. It might seem to be a complex process to you, but you can easily do that with a bit of patience. All the steps you need to follow to potty train your hamster are given below:
Step 01 – Gather All Necessary Equipment
Before starting potty training, you have to gather all the necessary equipment for the training first. The things you need for that are:
Litter Box
First of all, you need to collect a litter box or potty available in all pet shops. The container should be of the shape that will fit perfectly on the corner because that’s the place where hamsters usually go.
You can use a triangular or square-shaped potty according to your requirements. It is better if the box has a lid. That way, it will make your hamster feel more secure.
Sand
Collect a suitable amount of sand to fill the litter box. You can use the ordinary sand that is available everywhere. Alternatively, you can also buy chinchilla sand or children’s play sand from your local shop.
Litter
It would be best if you bought litter pearls because they dry fast and lock the smell. There are different types of litter available – Sand, Wood pellets, Paper pellets, Aspen, Megazorb, Carefresh, Shredded paper, etc.
You can buy ‘Critter Litter’ from your local pet shop too. This is intended to be used for only small animals. The smell of the potty training pearls attracts the hamster to sit on the litter box. And they are also effortless to clean.
Step 02 – Prepare the Litter Box
After gathering all the equipment, fill the litter box with sand. We recommend sand because it is heavy and will restrict the potty from tripping over.
Then put a handful of litter pearls on the sand. Put more on the corner because a hamster is more likely to poop or pee there.
Step 03 – Place A Peed-on Substrate
Do not forget to place an object that your hamster had already peed on before. Its smell will attract the hamster to go to the litterbox.
Step 04 – Place the Litter Box
This is the most critical step. After specifying the exact corner where your hamster usually goes, put the litter box on that corner.
Dig the substrate on that corner a little so that the potty sits perfectly. And do not put the litter box in the middle or on the side. It must be placed in the corner.
Step 05 – Remove All Other Traces of Pee
Then remove all other traces of pee from the cage. You can use Pet safe disinfectant too to remove the smell of pee from all different places. After that, your hamster should smell the potty and find out on its own what it is used for.
Step 06 – Changing The Litter Box Spot
If your hamster starts to poop or pee at a different place, change the placement of your litter box and shit it to that spot.
Step 07 – Cleaning The Litter Box
It would help if you changed the sand and the litter pearls regularly. Keeping the same litter for too long is unhygienic and dangerous for your hamster’s health.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What to do when my hamster pees but won’t poop on the litter box?
Hamsters usually do not poop on the litter box because they don’t have any control over it. They tend to poop on the spot where they bathe or sleep. So it is normal. You just need to scoop up the potty and clean the cage.
What will I do if my hamster pees in different places every time?
It’s pretty natural for a hamster to pee in a different place every time. This mostly happens when your cage is enormous. So try to keep your pet in a smaller enclosure. If the pen is smaller, your hamster will pee on the same corner every time.
What if my hamster suddenly stops using the litter box?
If your hamster suddenly stops using the litter box, it means the container has become too dirty. So just clean the litter box carefully and place that on the new spot where your hamster goes. Evidently, your hamster will start to use that again.
Is it normal for my hamster to pee on the different corners of the cage?
Yep, it’s typical for a hamster to shift its peeing spot frequently. If your hamster starts to pee on corners except for the one where you have placed the litter box, you should block the other corners.
How can I stop my hamster from sleeping or eating in the litter box?
This problem occurs when your hamster does not have enough space to eat or sleep in the cage. So move the hamster to a larger cage, and your problem should be solved.
Bottom Line
Potty training your hamster will save a lot of your time and money. It will make the cage and your house free from pungent ammonia smell as well. You can spend a better time with your hamster.
Hope this article on how to potty train a hamster was helpful. Now you can have a great time with your little friend without worrying about any disease or hygiene issues!
Known for her engaging storytelling and insightful articles,John's hamster blog has become a go-to resource for hamster lovers everywhere. Her ability to blend knowledge, creativity, and a touch of humor has earned her a loyal following of readers who eagerly anticipate her next post.
John's love for hamsters began in her childhood when she received her first pet hamster, Whiskers. Ever since that fateful day, her fascination with these tiny furballs has grown into a full-fledged obsession. She spends countless hours researching, experimenting, and observing hamster behavior to ensure that her writing is always backed by solid knowledge and firsthand experiences.
Through her blog,John strives to educate fellow hamster owners on the importance of providing proper care and a nurturing environment for these small creatures. She covers a wide range of topics, from choosing the right hamster species and setting up the perfect habitat to nutrition, health, and behavior training. Her tips and tricks are practical and easy to follow, ensuring that every hamster owner can give their pet the love and care it deserves.
John's writing not only caters to hamster enthusiasts but also serves as a valuable resource for those considering bringing a hamster into their lives. Her articles provide an in-depth understanding of the responsibilities and Joys of hamster ownership, helping prospective owners make informed decisions.
WhenJohn isn't busy writing or tending to her furry companions, she can often be found volunteering at local animal shelters and hamster rescue organizations. She firmly believes in the power of community and hopes to make a positive impact on the lives of as many hamsters as possible.
John's dedication to the well-being of hamsters and her ability to communicate her knowledge with passion and clarity have made her a respected authority in the hamster community. Her blog continues to inspire and educate, creating a stronger bond between humans and their adorable hamster friends.
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