How to Dispose of Hamster Feces in the Classroom

Hamsters are great classroom pets. They are small, fun to watch and the students always enjoy seeing them stuff their cheeks with treats. Unfortunately, maintaining the hamster cage isn't as exciting. A weekly cage cleaning is necessary to remove odors and waste. Daily maintenance includes removing hamster feces. In a classroom, this may prove to be somewhat difficult. However, If you know a few tricks, daily maintenance isn't so bad.

Things You'll Need

  • Disposable gloves
  • Small plastic bag
  • Tape
  • Disposable plastic spoon
  • Lid from a baby food jar
  • Second cage
  • Trash bag
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Wait until the students leave before attempting to clean up the hamster feces. It makes it harder for you to pay proper attention to what you are doing with students in the classroom. At the end of the day after the students leave is the best time to dispose of hamster feces.

    • 2

      Slip on a pair of disposable gloves. Tape a plastic bag to the side of the hamster cage, right at the opening of the cage. This makes transferring the feces to the bag easier. Cut several strips of tape and place them along the edge of the hamster cage. You don't want to touch the tape dispenser while your hands are contaminated. If you prefer to use a plastic disposable spoon, set the spoon on the table next to the hamster cage.

    • 3

      Remove the cage lid and transfer the hamster to a second cage during cleaning. Use the strips of tape or the spoon to remove hamster feces in the cage. If you are using a spoon, place the lid from a baby food jar in the cage, collect the feces in the lid and then remove the lid with the feces in it for disposal. Hamsters will drop feces wherever they feel like it. Thoroughly check the cage for feces.

    • 4

      Transfer the hamster feces to the plastic bag. Throw away all items that touched the feces, including the lid and spoon. Remove the plastic bag from the cage and tie up the ends to prevent the feces from escaping. Place this bag into a larger trash bag.

    • 5

      Remove your gloves and throw them in the trash bag. Tie up the trash bag and take it to the garbage dumpster at your school building. Scrub your hands with warm water and soap. Put the hamster back into its cage and rewash your hands. Apply a sanitizer to your hands.