FAQ: Grooming for small pets

Chinchillas and gerbils clean their coat by rolling in sand, which absorbs excess oil and moisture, so they do not need water baths. Without a sand bath their fur becomes greasy, matted and loses its fluffiness.

Sometimes, especially guinea pigs, rabbits and older animals that move less, so their nails do not wear down by themselves. If unsure, ask a vet to show you how to do it safely.

Chinchilla dust is very fine and penetrates the dense coat better, while sand is coarser and less dusty. Both are meant for cleaning the coat, but fine dust can irritate the airways, so good ventilation and moderate use matter.

A sand bath is usually recommended several times a week for about 10–15 minutes, and more often in humid weather or when the coat looks greasy. It is worth removing the bath afterwards so the chinchilla does not use it as a toilet or dry out its skin too much.

In a bath that is always there, chinchillas often poop and pee, so the sand gets dirty quickly. Bathing too often can also dry out the skin and the eyes, so the bath is usually offered for a limited time.

Yes, like chinchillas, degus groom their coat by rolling in sand, so they need regular sand baths. Fine sand made for chinchillas or degus works, and the bath is worth offering several times a week.

Many hamsters, especially dwarf and Roborovski hamsters, like to roll in sand, so a permanent sand bath is good for them. Sand rather than very fine dust suits hamsters better, as dust can irritate the airways.

Yes, many hamsters not only roll in their sand box but also pee in it, so it doubles as a toilet. This makes cage cleaning easier: every few days sift out or replace the wet sand.

Sand made for chinchillas or small pets usually suits gerbils, as long as it is sand and not very fine dust. The sand bath can stay in a gerbil cage permanently or be offered several times a week.

It is not recommended, as such sand can contain dust, impurities, sharp particles or contaminants. It is better to use cleaned bathing sand made specifically for small pets.

Fragrances and chemical additives can irritate a small pet’s sensitive airways, eyes and skin. Choose unscented sand that contains no talc or other unnecessary additives.

A layer of a few centimetres of sand is usually enough for the animal to roll freely. Too much sand spills out quickly, while too little does not clean the coat properly.

It is worth picking droppings and fur clumps out of the sand every time, and replacing all of it when it gets dirty, damp or loses its free-flowing texture. Chinchilla and degu sand is usually changed weekly or more often, depending on use.

Yes, sand can be sieved through a fine strainer to remove droppings and fur and used a few more times. Wet, clumped or bad-smelling sand should be thrown away.

The bath must be roomy enough for the chinchilla to roll over in it and have higher sides or a roof so less sand spills out. Heavy ceramic, metal or sturdy plastic baths all work well.

Yes, an enclosed bath with an entrance reduces sand spillage and the hamster feels safer in it. It must be big enough for the animal to turn around and roll, and easy to clean.

Yes, a large heavy glass or ceramic container can work as a sand bath, if the animal can easily get in and out. The container must be stable so it does not tip over and must have no sharp edges.

A chinchilla may be put off by unfamiliar sand, a container that is too small, a noisy environment or the wrong time of day. If it refuses to bathe for a long time and its coat becomes greasy or matted, talk to a vet.

If the chinchilla has an eye infection, an open wound or breathing problems, sand bathing can make things worse. In such cases follow the vet’s advice on when and how to offer the bath again.

Very fine dust can irritate people’s airways too, especially those with allergies or asthma. Place the bath in a well-ventilated area away from other pets and choose a low-dust sand.