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[cmhkorn]

I brought home a new Hamster today.

She's really shy and it's hard to deal with because my past hamsters weren't. I'm trying to be patient...

Anyhow, she's in heat -- the area around her cage smells like that thick, musky, hamster-vagina-juice. It really nauseates me. Do you have any advice on how to cut back on the funk? Also, do you think it

Comments

[h_lovelace]

If you just got her today, you shouldn't be handling her at all. Hamsters get really stressed out about a change in environmnet. It's best to give her a few days to get used to her new cage and home without disturbing her. Once she feels more comfortable, her temperment should calm down a few notches. :D As far as the funk goes, is this a new cage? If it was previously lived in by a male hamster, she is likely to smell that and be in heat more often than usual. Also, if you've had male hamsters before, be forewarned that female hamsters just smell more strongly in general. To neuttalize the smell I've used air sanitizers made for pet oders. If your hamster is in a wire cage, just be careful not to spray any directly inside the cage. Usually I would move the cage and spray the area where the cage sits, then once the spray settled I'd put the cage back. It cleans the air without affecting your little hammie. Have fun with her!! :D

[cmhkorn]

yeah. I haven't really been handling her because she's so freaked out... and I'm pretty sure that she'd dive for death if I did.

Anyhow, it is a new cage... and I've only had female Hamsters in the past. I just thought it was odd that she was so musky. But yeah, thanks for the advice!! I'll try it out once I move her into my room. I kind of thought it could be better to keep her in the bathroom (away from the noise of me and my TV) for a day or two.

[h_lovelace]

That's a good idea to keep her away from the noise till she calms down... good thinking. :D

[mooninj4]

I haven't experienced the funk, but out of curiosity, would the old kitchen standby of baking soda and squeezed lemon rinds placed outside the cage eliminate the odor?

[cmhkorn]

I have no idea... but ANYTHING is worth a try.