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Why do you have to disinfect the hamster cage every week2007-11-24 22:19:50

Now, obviously there is the reason for people- to keep smell down and keep us sanity but, if it is rinsed/scrubbed thoroughly, is that not good enough? Will the bacteria you can't see make the hamster sick over time? I know this sounds like a silly question, and I am more than happy to disinfect but I just wanted to know the reasoning behind it. I also own fish, and honestly when cleaning the tanks unless the fish has had a disease, I don't use chemicals I just scrub it with hot water and dry it. I guess I just get worried about chemicals and want to make sure it's absolutely necessary to use them.

Answers:

The reason to disenfect is because not all bacteria killed by rinsing and scrubbing. Over time the bacteria builds and then your pet will get sick. Hot water will not get rid of everything. The best disinfectant is diluted bleach. It must be allowed to air dry, when completly dried all harmful substances disapear, unlike cleaners.

I used to do what I called a complete clean twice a month. Every other week I would clean out the cage with a diluted bleach, soak all toys, water bottles, dishes, etc, in a tub of bleach and water for 15 min. Boil water and rinse off the items and then allow to air dry.

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Because you are a neat freak?

I didn't know you needed to clean a hampster cage.

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i have never heard of disinfecting a cage.

I clean mine out (toys,house,food bowls,etc),empty the contents (bedding pine chips) and then rinse the base out with warm water and soak,then let it drip dry. Works fine for my guys, they seem happy.

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the reason for disinfecting a cage is so the hamsters don't get sick and die.

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Better safe than sorry! I always thoroughly clean and disinfect every cage when I'm cleaning out my rats and mice. I also wash my hands between cages to prevent anything from going from one cage to another.