How to Get Rid of the Rodent Smell

Mice, rats, hamsters, and other small rodents, make fun pets for children and adults alike. Unfortunately, living in close quarters with a caged rodent can prove to be an unpleasant experience for your sense of smell. The good news for your nose, and the noses of guests into your home, is that living with pet rodents does not need to be a smelly situation. With a little bit of know-how, and responsible pet ownership, you will find that owning pet rodents can be a rewarding and smell-free experience.

Things You'll Need

  • Pet grade shredded wood
  • Shredded newspaper
  • Plastic grocery bags
  • White vinegar
  • Dish soap
  • Scrubbing brush
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Instructions

    • 1
      A hamster ball can provide your pet with a safe excercise spot.

      Carefully and gently remove your pet from his cage and place him in a safe and secured location while you clean his cage. Consider buying a suitable rodent ball, an enclosed plastic ball, that can contain your pet while allowing him a bit of freedom and exercise.

    • 2
      White vinegar is an effective household cleaner and disinfectant.

      Fill up your kitchen sink with very hot water, 1 tsp. of ordinary dish soap, and 1 cup of white vinegar. Remove all toys, food, and water dishes from the rodent's cage and place them into the kitchen sink to soak for at least 15 minutes. If there is an excessive amount of built-up grime on the items, you may need to scrub them with the scrubbing brush.

    • 3

      Thoroughly rinse your hamster's cage accessories with hot water until all traces of dish soap have been removed. Dry the items with paper towels and then place them on clean paper towels to continue to air-dry. Wooden toys and cage ladder's require additional drying time; place them outside in the sun.

    • 4
      Immediately discard soiled materials into an outdoor trash container.

      Discard all of the soiled bedding material from your pet's cage by carefully placing it into a plastic grocery bag, and tie the bag up tightly. This will ensure that the smell is safely contained. This bag should be removed from your home and placed into your outdoor trash can in order to keep your home smell-free and hygienic.

    • 5

      Place the tray section of your pet's cage into your bathtub, as your kitchen sink is likely to be too small for the job, and add a small amount of dish detergent to the tray. Thoroughly scrub the tray section with the scrubbing brush and rinse carefully to remove any soap residue. Add 1 cup of white vinegar to the tray, and fill the tray up with hot water. Allow the tray section to soak for at least 15 minutes as this will allow the disinfecting properties of the vinegar to get to work.

    • 6
      Small rodents have sensitive respiratory systems.

      Rinse the tray section to remove any remaining traces of dish soap and vinegar. Dry it with paper towels, paying careful attention to the corners. Any moisture that remains in the tray could quickly foster the growth of mold that could affect your pet's respiratory system.

    • 7
      Rodents enjoy exploring and rearranging their habitats.

      Reassemble your pet's cage, placing all of the dried accessories back into the cage. Place at least 1 inch of bedding material into the cage; this should be in the form of a mix of shredded wood and shredded newspaper that can be purchased at any pet store. Add a few sheets of bath tissue for your pet to shred and use to make a comfortable bed with; rodents love to shred tissue paper. Carefully return your pet to his cage and watch as he happily sets about exploring his newly cleaned living space.