u/Acrobatic-Fee-8629

Ham tax!

I have had my hammy for six days now, and every morning when I spot clean I only ever find that he used the bathroom on his wheel. At least, I think so.

I’ve checked for soiled bedding in corners and generally around the tank, and even bought a UV light, but I’m not picking anything up with it besides the large pieces of reflective white bedding. Is there a chance that he is just genuinely only peeing while using the wheel? Is there a chance he’s using the bathroom in his burrows?

I’ve never owned a hamster before, I don’t really know how much to expect when picking up after them as far as bathroom stuff goes, so any advice would be helpful!

Some extra info, his enclosure doesn’t smell throughout the day, only when I’m disinfecting the wheel. Not sure if it’s worth noting but I think he’s confident in his cage, he’s been taking treats out of my hand since I started offering on day three. He has a few different burrows, and I always see him take pellets of food down into one of his burrows (unsure if this info is helpful).

Thank you so much!

This is my first time owning a hamster! I don’t have my hammy yet, I am getting him (short haired syrian male) at the end of the month and I want to make sure I do everything right.

This cage itself is over 800sq, 12”of a mix between 70% paper-bedding and 30% dust free wood bedding. The wheel is 12”, He has several hides throughout as well as a sand bath and coconut fiber bath!

For the playpen, I’ve included lots of chews and lava rocks, with a cork bath and coconut fiber bath to hide treats in!

Please let me know if there is anything I’m forgetting or need to add, I’ve never owned a pet before and this was all pretty intimidating going into it—especially seeing how some people get ripped apart on hamster subreddits 😵‍💫