Hamster Smelling

[dakz101]

I've had my hamster about 4 months, and just lately i've been noticing a really bad smell coming from his cage and it smells like pee. I've JUST cleaned the cage, and the next day it will stink. I dont really understand, and my mom suggested he might be sick. He hasnt been showing any signs of sickness, so II'm not really sure..
Anyone have any advice? THANKS!

[Magnum]

Hamsters have an odor, but if it is bad...he/she may be sick and a vet visit should be considered. There cages must be clean at all times and fresh water should be available at all times. I am not sure if you are using a water bottle, but they are not the safest way to give a pet water, unless the bottle is rinsed out every day and the cap and neck of the bottle are washed by brushing them. These type watering systems habor bacteria that are not safe for pets and can cause urinary tract infections, leading to offensive urine odor. They also leak onto the bottom of the cage and create a haven for bacteria to grow.

Please keep us updated!

[dakz101]

Hamsters have an odor, but if it is bad...he/she may be sick and a vet visit should be considered. There cages must be clean at all times and fresh water should be available at all times. I am not sure if you are using a water bottle, but they are not the safest way to give a pet water, unless the bottle is rinsed out every day and the cap and neck of the bottle are washed by brushing them. These type watering systems habor bacteria that are not safe for pets and can cause urinary tract infections, leading to offensive urine odor. They also leak onto the bottom of the cage and create a haven for bacteria to grow

Hey.
Okay, my hamster is a dwarf hamster BTW, and I was told using anything but a bottle was a bad idea because germs can so easily get in, hamsters can fall in, and are just a bad idea. Yeah, the smell is extremely bad. Will the urinary track infection clear up on its own? Thanks for replying!!

[Magnum]

Bacteria get into water bottles just as easily as they get into an open dish.

unless the bottle is rinsed out every day and the cap and neck of the bottle are washed by brushing them.

Not everyone does this with a water bottle system. It is too convenient to say, "oh, it looks fine...I will clean it tomorrow." Or, the only time a water bottle is messed with is when it is very low on water, then it only gets refilled and not washed. That is what makes water bottles a big problem. I am not trying to harp on the water system, just stating what I learned in my own lab assignment in college with testing both systems (I used my rabbit as a my water system tester).;)

Hamsters are subject to quite a few health problems, so knowing if your hamster is actually sick would take a vet check. I would highly doubt a urinary tract infection would clear up on it's own. As with other animals that have a delicate microfloral balance within their digestive tract, Hamsters need a fresh supply of food and water available to them, or they can get thrown off balance and sick. Wish I had the perfect answer for your hamster, but I don't. I hope he/she is ok. Maybe his/her hair got stinky from the cage needing cleaning?? I know it's not wise to give them a bath, so I can only suggest a vet visit to be safe.

[dakz101]

Thanks, but the strange thing is, he is acting fine! And looks healthy..
Odd. Well, I'll keep an eye on him, and if its not clearing up I'll take him to the vet!

[Magnum]

Glad to hear he is doing fine!! Please keep us updated when you can. :)

[Oreo Owner]

That exact thing JUST happened to my hamster, Oreo! Her cage stunk right after I had cleaned it. I took Oreo to the vet and the vet said that she had a urinary infection and they gave me some pills to put in her food and some vitamins to feed her.