Albert

[Maz]

Maybe see what works - trial and error sometimes. He might be ok with you taking it out to clean it regularly if you put treats in. I tended to mainly just wipe the inside so the outside still smelled familiar.

 

[Frida]

Thank you for the feedback. I used a unscented baby wipe and dried it with kitchen roll. I only cleaned the inside of the wheel. I'll see how we go over the next few days

 

[Member ID2]

I have a few wheel pinklers here and wipe their wheels with a damp cloths when they are asleep. Doesn't seem to bother them.

 

[Maz]

A damp cloth would be better than a wipe, even if unscented, in case it leaves any residue. Don't worry about it though if you've already done it - it will be fine as a one off.

 

[Zara]

When it happens here I just use a bit of damp kitchen roll. Guess it depends on how much wee is there. I’ve only ever cleaned the inside and it doesn’t seem to bother Hams.

Hope Albert enjoys his new water bottle

 

[elusive]

I don’t know for sure if peeing in the wheel is species thing to some extent but it’s totally normal for Russian hams to do it, I just clean my wheels once a week & that’s enough, none of mine have ever had issues with the wheel being cleaned if it’s not done too frequently, they just jump straight in & make it nice & smelly again!
I think peeing when they run is just natural behaviour rather than the wheel being used as a toilet.

 

[Frida]

A damp cloth would be better than a wipe, even if unscented, in case it leaves any residue. Don't worry about it though if you've already done it - it will be fine as a one off.

I did dry the wheel off with kitchen roll. I got the idea to use unscented/sensitive baby wipes from this YouTuber

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[elusive]

All wipes leave a residue so best not used at all on any hamster stuff, a damp piece of kitchen towel does the job better.
There is some good stuff on youtube but I would say question any advice you see on there.

 

[Member ID2]

I've always used an unscented/sensitive baby wipe for a quick wheel wipe inbetween a proper wheel clean or to pick up seed shells, wipe a floor toy or a tiny paddle left by Clive occasionally. The Robos wheels get so sticky that a wipe wouldn't suffice and i need to use a jcloths and warm water.

I think it's like us using a face wipe. It's fine and does the job but is not a permanent substitute for a proper wash with water and facewash.

 

[Member ID2]

Elusive, i posted at the same time as you and didn't mean to contradict you. I only explained what i use a wipe for now and again and why i keep a packet handy.

 

[elusive]

No problem Beryl!

 

[Member ID2]

I thought about it though and for my own peace of mind wiped Eddie's wheel with a damp jcloths. Just in case the wipe left a residue. I don't think it would be harmful but hamsters can be fussy little things.

 

[Maz]

General cleaning advice has been to use a damp cloth or wash things in soapy water and rinse well. Water is good stuff

I can see why people might consider unscented wipes. I don’t know if it would do any harm or not but better to be on the cautious side with cleaning materials and chemicals. I have never heard of anyone recommending them until seeing that YouTube video just now. I agree with Elusive there - there is some good info on YouTube but also some contradictory stuff and then it gets confusing. It is also just peoples own ideas or opinions sometimes. Ok some things on forums are peoples opinions too but we try to use official resources from vets etc - as well as our own experiences.

I was cautious about wipes as they usually have chemicals of some sort in either as preservative or cleaning. Wouldn’t it be nice if they made official hamster safe wipes.

I think caution is best in this respect. There was a lot of drama a few years ago when the manufacturer started putting baking soda in Carefresh - to neutralise odours. You’d think that would be fairly harmless but some hamsters apparently died and so they stopped doing it. There were batch numbers to avoid all over the internet! I think it was just the US version though.

 

[Frida]

All wipes leave a residue so best not used at all on any hamster stuff, a damp piece of kitchen towel does the job better.
There is some good stuff on youtube but I would say question any advice you see on there.

Okay will do

 

[Frida]

When it happens here I just use a bit of damp kitchen roll. Guess it depends on how much wee is there. I’ve only ever cleaned the inside and it doesn’t seem to bother Hams.

Hope Albert enjoys his new water bottle

Albert didn't like his new bottle He couldn't get any water out of it. I'm glad I saw him today trying to have a drink. He was so thirsty he tried to chew the end of the bottle. I don't understand why it's not working properly. When I put in the cage last night it was okay. I've got a new Crystal classic water bottle for him now.

 

[Maz]

Oh no. That’s not good. At least the classic one is working. Maybe send it back for a refund?

 

[Frida]

Oh no. That’s not good. At least the classic one is working. Maybe send it back for a refund?

My son had a look at the bottle. When he tapped the end of the bottle very hard the water did come out. I think Albert's little tongue just isn't strong enough. Poor Albert

 

[Maz]

The ball inside should move easily so it sounds like it might be faulty. Quality control again maybe.

 

[Frida]

I'm not sure if my son is going to send it back. But I'm not using it for Albert. I don't trust it. Nevermind. Live and learn. Albert is okay and that's all that matters.

 

[RainbowBrite]

Aw I am sorry. Perhaps the spout is too thick. It was very thoughtful of you to buy it for Albert. I actually saw one review which said the persons dwarfie could not get the water either. Maybe the bottle is better for Syrians. Is Albert using the tea light holder at all?