FAQ: Grooming for small pets

When all scent is cleaned away, small pets try to re-mark their surroundings as quickly as possible. Leaving some clean, dry bedding or nesting material helps the animals accept the cleaned cage more calmly.

Rabbits often learn to use a litter box well, guinea pigs less often, though some pick a regular spot. Put the box where the animal already goes and place hay next to it, as rabbits like to eat while they go.

Yes, many rats choose a regular corner to go in, so a litter box placed there helps keep things clean. Put a few droppings in the box so the rats understand what it is for, and be patient.

The smell depends on the number and species of animals, cage size, bedding absorbency, how often it is cleaned and how well the room is ventilated. A larger cage with a thicker absorbent layer of bedding usually smells less and stays clean longer.

An air purifier can reduce dust and odours, but it does not replace regular cage cleaning. Avoid ionisers or devices that produce ozone, as they can irritate small pets’ airways.

A scoop for bedding, a brush and a toothbrush for corners, a spray bottle with diluted vinegar, cloths and a rubbish bag all come in handy. These tools are best kept separate from kitchen items.

Gloves are useful, especially if you have cuts on your hands, are cleaning after an illness or are allergic. In any case, wash your hands well with soap after cleaning and handling the animal.

Some infections, such as fungal skin diseases or gut bacteria, can be passed to people. The risk is low if you follow good hygiene: wash your hands, do not eat while cleaning and do not wash cage items in the kitchen sink.

Throw away all bedding, hay and food, dispose of wooden and cardboard items, and thoroughly wash and disinfect the cage and plastic accessories with a pet-safe product. Before housing a new animal, ask a vet whether the disease can persist in the environment.

Take the cage apart, wash it with hot water and detergent, remove urine scale and disinfect it with a pet-safe product according to the label. Used wooden accessories are better replaced with new ones, as they may hold odours or parasites.

Remove wet bedding and droppings every day and clean the whole hutch weekly, especially the corners and sleeping area. Let the hutch dry out well after cleaning, as damp outdoors encourages mould and flies.

In a rat cage the toilet corner and wet spots are worth cleaning daily, while hammocks and bedding are changed every few days or weekly. Rats are sensitive to ammonia, so a clean cage is very important for their respiratory health.

Gerbils come from dry regions and produce little urine, so their tank stays odour-free longer. Removing dirty spots is enough, with a full clean every few weeks, leaving some bedding with a familiar smell.

Most dust in a chinchilla cage comes from sand baths, so stand the bath on a tray and remove it after bathing. Clean shelves and the tray with a damp cloth rather than sweeping dry, so the dust does not rise into the air.

Yes, the more animals, the faster urine and droppings build up, so wet spots need removing more often. It also matters that the cage size suits the number of animals, because an overcrowded cage is hard to keep clean.

Every day remove wet spots, droppings and leftover fresh food and change the water; several times a week wash bowls and the toilet; and weekly or less often do a general clean. A steady routine helps avoid odours and disturbs the animal less.

Natural paper, wood or hay bedding can often be composted, if local waste rules allow it and the animals are healthy. Throw away synthetic bedding or bedding from a sick animal with general waste.

Yes, in a well-ventilated spot without direct sunlight or heat sources the bedding smells less and dries faster. Avoid placing the cage in enclosed alcoves or near kitchen steam.

Hairless guinea pigs need a warmer environment, soft bedding without sharp particles and protection from sun and draughts. Their skin dries out and gets injured easily, so it needs regular checking, and skin care products should be used only on a vet’s advice.

Oil and dirt can build up on a hairless guinea pig’s skin and can be wiped off gently with a damp cloth. Give full baths rarely, in lukewarm water, and dry the animal well straight away so it does not get chilled.