Potty-Training a Hamster...

[paulandashia]

:) Hi all! :)

Did anyone ever manage to Potty-Train their hamsters.?
:)
I had tons of rodents when I was younger, and managed to potty-train about 99% of my hamsters to tinkle into a small glass jar. (So I only had to clean the jar itself once a day or so)
:)
Did anyone else do this with their hamsters to help keep their cages cleaner longer.? :)

[LilSnooPydOG]

I've found that most hamsters will choose a corner to go potty in, keeping the rest of the cage semi-clean. It does make things easier, because then you can just clean up that corner daily.

But I've never given them a litter box to go in. I guess I don't really mind if they want to be tidy and keep it all in a corner, or just go wherever they're standing. :)

[paulandashia]

Oh, that's not what I meant, I meant that you can actually put a little glass jar in the tank (like a small jelly jar), in a corner, and you can get them to go tinkle in the jar, and then you just rinse it out once a day or so. It's really cool... :)

[yodelinghamster]

yeah , only it is not a glass jar, it is a "crittertrial out-house"

[paulandashia]

He he he... That's cute... :)

[lindseyR]

I am intrested in trying to teach my hamter to be potty trained... what is the first thing to do? .. is it going to be harder since i have already had him a couple of months.. and is there anyway that i can get him to not poop when he is out of his cage.. everytime i take him out i have to clean up atleast 5 of his little presents (is that normal?) :guilty:

[paulandashia]

It's normal... :) Poop-training is worthless w/ a hammy, since they do "that" part of their business wherever the stand.
But Pee training is successful nearly 100% of the time if done corectly.
First...
You have to get a small, low jar, BIG enough for the hammy to get into and turn around, but NOT so big that he can make a comfy home in it...
Second, you can start by putting a drop or two of water at the bottom of the jar, and lay it sideways (at an angle so the pee doesn't fall out, with top facing a bit upwards).
Since hammy's pick a corner they go pee in, place the jar in THAT corner.
If your hammy does NOT go pee in the jar (within a day or so), collect some urine-stained wood-chips, or whatever bedding material you use, and water it down a bit in a cup, so to get a bit of urine (a drop or 2) that you can place in the jar instead of the water.

That works nearly 100% of the time.

I will take a picture of a correct jar-size if you like... :) And, how to place it in the cage.. :)

[lindseyR]

thank you so much.. i am going to try that. yes could you please take a picture of what it needs to look like.. i think i understand but, that will help a lot.

[booklady]

we're getting a hammie tonight from a rescue out in wasilla.. am defiantely going to have to try that :) havne't had much luck with enough of the mice for it to be worth it.. but maybe with the hammie.. :)

[paulandashia]

No... LoL
Mice are unfortunately not potty-trainable... (Rats Yes, but not mice).

Hammy's are easy to convince, and most of the time more than willing to tinkle in a jar.

I get out of work in a few hours, so I will take a pic of the size of the jar, and the proper position. :)

Let me know how it goes! :)

[booklady]

well, thought i'd found a jar that would work.. but.. hammie came home tonight, and she's bigger then i thought she'd be already! :) so will have to look for a bigger one tomorrow.. she tried to check out the jar, but had to back out of it.. ah well :) i've plenty of jars around here somewhere.
new hammie is settling in nicely.. she's a dark calico, we'll try and get some pictures of her tomorrow. :)

[paulandashia]

Well, that's just me.!
SPACE CASE.!
Sorry guys, I took pictures of the jar and positioning... (Got home at almost 10 pm last night) and totally spaced putting the pictures on here... SORRY.! Will attempt again tonight. :)
Again, my apologies.!

PS. Booklady, I am glad your hammie is settling in, and sounds like you are falling in love with her already.! :)

[paulandashia]

OK..! Below is a Link to the Page where I (TEMPORARILY) posted a few pictures of the appropriate Jar size, and the positioning. :)

http://kylandanthony.aboutmybaby.com/view/photoalbum.pl?photoalbum_id=26008

I am ONLY going to leave these pictures on for about a week or so.... :) (I had to use my son's website!, it's the fastets to upload and download from!)

[booklady]

i hope anyway :) we haven't settled on a firm name for her, we're still gegtting to know her personality, and haven't gottn any really _good_ shots.. but...
http://peperocky.tripod.com/stuff/hammie2.jpg
you can kind of see her coloring here. she isn't afraid to come to our hands, but she's still not comfortable enough to sit still long enough for decent photos :)

(looks like it still doesn't want to work... *sigh*) they'll be in our web album...

[booklady]

botheration.. it looks like for some insane reason, tripod has removed the pet section of our web pages.. am trying to get it figured and straightened out... *sigh*

[booklady]

ok, so i broke down and got a photobucket account....
here's the hammie... :)

first.. her house (we've since added a really big wheel, barely fits in there :) but she seems to like it.. plenty of room to run.. and grow..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/bookladydavina/Mice/hamcage2.jpg

here's a blurry pic of her on hubby's arm.. she won't sit still for pictures yet..

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/bookladydavina/Mice/hammie1.jpg

and here's one i took of her napping (with the flash.. i know.. but the room is so dark otherwise.. and at least you can see her colorings a bit..she's a nice mottled black/brown.. like a dark calico.. we were told she was a black bear..wasn't expecting this..)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v681/bookladydavina/Mice/hammie2.jpg

[TiaMaria]

She is adorable, good luck with her!!