Albert

[elusive]

I can understand your concern as they don’t like to have the nest area disturbed & it can be a bit tricky to check without destroying burrows but if he’s peeing in more than one place then I really doubt there will be much in there to worry about, if it doesn’t smell it’s probably ok & if you checked it last week then it should be fine for another week, maybe check again then & see just how much he is peeing in there.

 

[Frida]

Thank you RainbowBrite and elusive

 

[Maz]

I think if it was bothering him, he would let you know His ears would be down or he may be chucking substrate out of his burrow entrance. He wouldn't like it if it was smelly and bothering him. So as the others say - your nose can be a guide, but also Albert's behaviour. Unfortunately, at some point, you'll need to do a partial substrate change and then things will get messed up a bit but he'll just rebuild them. For a tunneling hamster, I would be tempted to only do a substrate change in one side of the cage at a time. This is what I do with our Robos. Then one side of the cage still has burrows in tact and they can feel comfortable even though the other side is changed. Then maybe a week or two later, change the substrate (or half of it) on the other side of the cage. This way they never feel like everything has been messed up in one go.

If he has tunnels and burrows then it's probably not possible to spot clean them without them collapsing. So then maybe just leave them until you do a "half" cage clean of the substrate. You don't need to worry about staining, it's only if there are damp areas - but they pee so little it has probably evaporated! And if there were damp areas, I think he would let you know!

 

[Frida]

I think if it was bothering him, he would let you know His ears would be down or he may be chucking substrate out of his burrow entrance. He wouldn't like it if it was smelly and bothering him. So as the others sa - your nose can be a guide, but also Albert's behaviour. Unfortunately, at some point, you'll need to do a partial substrate change and then things will get messed up a bit but he'll just rebuild them. For a tunneling hamster, I would be tempted to only do a substrate change in one side of the cage at a time. This is what I do with our Robos. Then one side of the cage still has burrows in tact and they can feel comfortable even though the other side is changed. Then maybe a week or two later, change the substrate (or half of it) on the other side of the cage. This way they never feel like everything has been messed up in one go.

If he has tunnels and burrows then it's probably not possible to spot clean them without them collapsing. So then maybe just leave them until you do a "half" cage clean of the substrate. You don't need to worry about staining, it's only if there are damp areas - but they pee so little it has probably evaporated! And if there were damp areas, I think he would let you know!

Thank you

 

[ilguy]

Rainbow gave the best answer. It's best to clean as little as possible, minimizes stress and doesn't hamper them navigating by smell. I leave the burrow for 2-3 months at a time if possible.

Hamster pee doesn't affect them at all. They even have to eat their own poop at night, their digestive system is so poor they secrete a special one loaded with b vitamins that has to go through a second time.

 

[elusive]

While I agree with you on everything else ilguy I do have to disagree about the pee, if they pee in an enclosed space you can get a build up of ammonia which is harmful.

 

[Frida]

Tea time for Albert

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[elusive]

Hello Albert That bowls a perfect fit! Lovely to see him enjoying his tea

 

[Frida]

Albert loves wholemeal seeded bread toasted.

To view this content we will need your consent to set third party cookies.
For more detailed information, see our cookies page.

Accept third party cookies

 

[Maz]

Lovely to see Albert He looks bright and healthy! He popped out to say hello to you on that second video

 

[Member ID2]

He's loving that!

 

[Frida]

I've had a friend call round to pick me up to go out for tea and cake. She quickly came in to see if she could spot Albert (she's only ever seen photos and videos of him). She stood looking at the cage talking. Albert popped his head out of his carrot cottage and took one look at my friend and popped back in and blocked the door with bedding my friend didn't seem very impressed made me laugh

 

[Member ID2]

That is so funny! I hope that your friend doesn't develop a complex, lol.
Albert really is a mummy's boy.

 

[albert's owner]

Your little Albert is so cute!! I think he's enjoying his meal!

 

[RainbowBrite]

Lol, that is very funny!

 

[Frida]

Albert has been out for a play and a cuddle. I used a different blanket today. Oh dear BIG mistake... Albert just sat on the blanket with his ears flat to his head. So I had to go get his usual blanket that I'd just washed and dried. Guess what??? As soon as I put him on his usual blanket his ears popped back up.

 

[Maz]

I've had a friend call round to pick me up to go out for tea and cake. She quickly came in to see if she could spot Albert (she's only ever seen photos and videos of him). She stood looking at the cage talking. Albert popped his head out of his carrot cottage and took one look at my friend and popped back in and blocked the door with bedding my friend didn't seem very impressed made me laugh

Stranger danger! Ha ha.

Glad he liked his usual blanket. I tend not to wash the hamster blanket very often so it still smells of them. But it is a specific hamster blanket

 

[Frida]

Stranger danger! Ha ha.

Glad he liked his usual blanket. I tend not to wash the hamster blanket very often so it still smells of them. But it is a specific hamster blanket

Well it was my favourite blanket so I decided to wash it so I could have it back and give Albert my hubby's old blanket but Albert knows what he wants and that's what he got

Me - bye bye favourite blanket

Albert - me happy

 

[Maz]

I’m sure he’ll cope with it being washed if you share it .

 

[Frida]

I’m sure he’ll cope with it being washed if you share it .

Albert didn't seem to mind about it being washed. I think he likes the soft texture of the material on his feet