How to Litter Train a Hamster

By eHow Pets Editor

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

Litter box
Litter
Aspen chips
Tweezers

Step 1:
Find a relatively small and shallow plastic tray to serve as a litter box in order to litter train your hamster. The tray should have a low enough rim so that your hamster can enter and exit easily, and it should be small enough so that it takes up very little room inside the cage. For the best results, the tray should be large enough for two hamsters to relieve themselves simultaneously.
Step 2:
Observe your hamster in its cage to determine where it sleeps and relieves itself. It will be much easier to litter train your hamster if you simply place the litter tray in the spot where the hamster normally urinates and defecates.
Step 3:
Fill the litter tray with hamster litter or aspen chips, and place it in the cage. You can find appropriate chips and litter in most pet stores.
Step 4:
Place existing hamster feces in the litter box, using a small pair of tweezers. This will signal to your hamster that the litter box is the new place for relieving itself. Wash your hands and the tweezers carefully in hot soap and water after handling the hamster feces, since dangerous parasites and bacteria may transfer to your hands.
Step 5:
Give your hamster about a week or so to get used to the new routine. By continually adding hamster droppings to the litter box, your hamster will get the idea fairly quickly.
Step 6:
Keep the litter box fresh and clean once you train your hamster to use it. This will keep your pet clean and healthy.

Tips & Warnings

Check your local pet store for specially designed litter boxes for hamsters. These boxes generally have one side that is lower than the other to allow easy entry for your hamster and prevent the spray of urine from reaching the rest of the cage.
If your pet hamster suddenly stops grooming itself, or if it begins to defecate and urinate in its bedding, it may be a symptom of a gastrointestinal ailment. Check with your veterinarian if these behaviors last for longer than a few days.

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