russian hamsters

Question
QUESTION: I HAVE JUST ADOPTED A MALE RUSSIAN HAMSTER WHEN HE CAME HOME HE WAS VERY SMELLY NOW HE IS SETTLED IN  IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO ABOUT THIS CAN HE HAVE A BATH

ANSWER: Hi Sam

Why is he smelly?  Is he unwell?  Is there any sign of diarrhoea?  If so, this needs addressing urgently.

If he is just smelly because he was kept in a dirty cage etc. then the best thing is to let him have a dust bath.  If you get a low level dish and fill it with 'chinchilla sand'.  This is sold in petshops and is safe for hamsters.  He should roll around in this and this will help clean him.

Also, if he is dirty rather than sick, then you might want to consider giving him an anti-parasite treatment.  You can buy this in pet shops - Beaphar make one that is designed for small animals.  It contains a drug called Ivermectin which helps get rid of mites.  Make sure whichever one you get contains this drug and is safe for hamsters and follow the instructions carefully.  You usually apply a drop to the back of the hamster's neck and repeat the dose in a few weeks.  It shouldn't do him any harm to have this anyway as a precaution.

If the smell is more because of illness then please get back to me with more details of symptoms etc. and I'll see if I can offer advice.

I hope this helps you.

Regards
Sheila

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: hi not ill just very smelly also will not sleep in his bed even when i have just cleaned it

Answer
Hi

How often are you cleaning him out?  It should really be just once a week and if necessary remove any soiled bedding before then.  If you clean him out too often he will put his scent down more.  I think the dust bath should help him. Is the smell coming from him generally or just his rear end or skin?  If so you might want to get him checked out by a vet in case he has an infection of some sort that needs treating with antibiotics.  Is there any sign of pus coming from his rear end - in which case he definitely needs to see a vet.

Regarding him not wanting to sleep in his bed - I have found that dwarf hamsters like to sleep in different places, so when you put his bedding in, put it in a few areas and he will decide where he wants to sleep.

I hope you get on OK.

Regards
Sheila