How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Bedding?
What is Hamster Bedding?
Hamster bedding is the material used to line the bottom of your hamster’s home. Bedding for hamsters usually comes in cotton, wood pellets, paper, or wood shavings. Whatever you choose, your hamster must have a thick layer of bedding that is comfortable enough to provide a cushion from the hard surface below.
How Often Should I Change My Hamster’s Bedding?
It is important to change your hamster’s bedding on a regular basis in order to keep it clean and healthy. The frequency of the change depends on the type of bedding you have chosen. Here are some guidelines on when to change your hamster’s bedding:
- Paper Bedding: This type of bedding can become soiled quickly and should be changed every 2-3 days.
- Cotton Bedding: This type of bedding should be changed once a week.
- Wood Pellets: This type of bedding can absorb urine, feces, and odor, so it should be changed every 10-14 days.
- Wood Shavings: This type of bedding should be changed once a month.
In addition to changing the bedding, it is also important to check it for any signs of mold, parasites, or bacteria that may have set in. If you notice any of these, it is important to change the bedding as soon as possible.
When it’s time to change the bedding, make sure you remove all of the old bedding and thoroughly clean the enclosure before adding new bedding. This will help keep your hamster’s home free of disease-causing bacteria and parasites. Additionally, it is best to use a dust-free type of bedding such as paper or cotton, to help reduce its exposure to allergens.
Final Thoughts
It is important to keep your hamster’s bedding clean and replace it on a regular basis for the health and well-being of your pet. How often you should change it will depend on the type of bedding you choose, but following the guidelines above should help ensure that your hamster’s home is always clean and healthy.
