We all have special names for it. Some call it the loo, some others the white house, and yet another group refers to it as the restroom. What do you call yours?
That little room we all have to visit regularly for our bowels to remain in tip-top shape.
Humans poop. Yes, they do! And so do animals…
But how often do hamsters poop? Hamsters poop daily and about twice to three times a day. Although, influenced by many factors, but relative to the average times in a hamster poops in a day.
Let’s get to the main gist…
Hamsters – A Must-Know For Hamster Owners
Hamsters are small creatures belonging to a category of animals known as rodents. They are nocturnal, omnivores, and have a tendency to get fat if what they eat isn’t monitored.
They are to be found asleep in cold periods of the year, that is they go into hibernation. They make great household pets and can be easily handled by children.
How Often Do Hamsters Poop?
Ok, how often do hamsters poop? Well, new hamsters, in the beginning, tend to poop and even pee a lot. At a young age, their bladders cannot hold in pee or poop for long so they tend to relieve their bowels frequently during the day.
The great news is that as they grow older they can hold their bladders for a longer period.
But essentially they poop every day. The amount might not be the same every time but these can be attributed to different factors.
What Does Hamsters Poop Look Like?
Hamsters while small produce quite a regular amount of poop. The poop comes out in a small, dark brown pellet form so this makes it super easy and convenient for you to clean up.
In their first weeks of getting used to you as their owner they may tend to pee or poop on you so don’t be freaked out, it is to be expected.
If the pee or poop comes into contact with any of your clothing ensure you wash it immediately.
Why Does My Hamster Poop So Much?
Various factors come into play when the volume of your hamster’s poop is to be considered.
These include:
- Diet
- Age
- Amount of stress
- Current health condition
Though hamsters eat almost the same food items as humans their rate of digestion is faster and as such, they poop more frequently. A change of diet can also cause a change in its poop frequency.
If a hamster is settling into a new environment, this may produce some amount of anxiety and stress.
This will in turn show its effect on its bowel movements. As it gets more familiar and comfortable with its surroundings it will poop less.
The older your hamster gets the higher probability it will poop less, this is probably due to a decrease in its appetite.
>>> Read Also: Why Does Guinea Pig Poop So Much?
Do You Want to Keep Your Hamsters Healthy?
If you are new to raising hamsters you must understand how to care for them. They do not have much saliva so if food items remain in their mouth they tend to rot and cause complications.
They require clean drinking water daily. Their teeth tend to grow too long so keeping materials like cardboard or a pumice stone that they can nibble on will be handy to slow down the process.
Their cages must be regularly cleaned out.
Hamsters have a great liking for food so it will be good if you monitor how much they eat. Ensure you watch their waistline regularly.
How Often Should You Clean Hamster’s Cage?
After knowing how regularly your hamster is going to poop you need to set up an adequate system of disposal and keeping its cage clean.
Remember you don’t want your hamster mistakenly eating its own poop.
It is advisable to check its cage at least twice a day and sweep up the pellets. We also strongly advise you to set up a litter or special nest where it can do its business.
This litter will ensure that your area of coverage is smaller and reduces the risk of infection.
Is Hamster Poop Harmful To Humans?
While your hamster must be kept in a clean cage, your personal safety also matters. You must wash your hands thoroughly after handling your hamster’s poop.
It is advisable to wear gloves so that your skin doesn’t have to come into direct contact with the poop.
So, you wash your hands and avoid touching your face or any other parts of your body till you are done.
That said, hamsters poop is known to have the bacteria salmonella or e. Coli. This can be dangerous to humans.
Great news though these tips can keep your hamster bacteria-free:
- Regularly cleaning out its cage and litter box.
- Reducing the frequency of its contact with other animals.
- Washing your hands after taking care of your hamster.
How to Check If Your Hamsters Are Sick?
Hamsters poop are generally firm, small, and dark-colored but if for some reason your hamster’s poop changes color or texture then you have to be on the lookout.
If its poop is softer, lighter colored, or not in a pellet form then it is probably a sign that your hamster has diarrhea. These can be handled by reducing its intake of fruits and vegetables for a period of time.
If no change is experienced after this then consult your veterinarian.
>>> Read Also: Why Do Guinea Pig Poop Smaller Than Usual?
Conclusion
Now that you know that a hamster actually does poop a lot, your role is essentially to keep its cage as clean as possible regularly.
An understanding of the various factors affecting bowel movements should go a long way to let you know what to expect and how to handle it.
The important thing is getting your hamster comfortable and giving it a healthy diet.
