What Are the Dangers of Giving a Hamster a Bath?

Bathing a hamster can mean death for the small creature. Water baths for hamsters presents a strong danger; it is neither necessary nor safe to bathe hamsters. Hamsters have the ability to keep themselves clean and bathing should only be considered in exceptional circumstances. For example, if the hamster gets a toxic substance like paint on itself, licking the substance can be harmful. Brushing the hamster with a soft bristled toothbrush will remove debris and refresh the coat if the hamster has not groomed itself.

  1. Drowning

    • The hamster is at risk from drowning in small amounts of water because it is not a natural swimmer. There are exceptions, and some hamsters can swim, but need supervision. Hamsters should not be immersed in water under any circumstances; if a bath becomes necessary, a little warm water in a small bowl and a wash cloth is sufficient to sponge the hamster down. Avoid washing the hamster in a basin filled with water, it may drown accidentally.

    Injury

    • Hamsters are desert animals and do not like water; a pet hamster will try to escape because baths are unusual for it. In trying to escape, the owner may accidentally drop the squirming, slippery hamster causing it injury. A hamster trying to escape from a basin of water may slip and break a bone or suffer internal injury. Water getting into the ear canals by mistake may lead to ear infection for the hamster.

    Stress

    • The hamster is a naturally clean animal and cleans and grooms itself thoroughly on a regular basis. Aquaphobic hamsters can succumb to stress when given a bath. Putting a hamster in water causes the small creature undue stress, removes the natural oils from his coat and leads to hair loss and itch. Because of the small size of the animal, stress is not beneficial for the hamster̵7;s health and well being.

    Pneumonia

    • Hamsters are susceptible to respiratory ailments; water going up the hamster̵7;s nose during a bath may lead to sneezing, labored breathing, wheezing and discharge from the nose or eyes. If the sneezing or wheezing increases it leads to loss of appetite and activity and potentially pneumonia. A hamster with a wet coat is unable to maintain its body temperature, leading to chills and pneumonia. Bathing the hamster leads to stress that weakens the immune system, making the animal vulnerable to respiratory problems.