How do I stop sand from scattering everywhere?
Written by
John Williams
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Containing sand bath mess requires a few clever additions to your enclosures. Active digging hamsters, in particular, will make a considerable amount of mess as they tend to scatter their sand throughout their enclosure while rigorously grooming themselves. Adding a raised platform with a lip will contain most of the mess while still allowing your hammy to enjoy their bath thoroughly.
Elevation Solutions
- Mount baths 6+ inches above bedding
- Use Niteangel platforms with silicone grips
- Install corner shelves with 4-inch lips
- Angle baths slightly toward enclosure center
Barrier Enhancements
- Attach 3-inch acrylic sheets to bath rims
- Use removable corkboard splash guards
- Install inward-curving lips on containers
- Apply non-toxic silicone strips to edges
Weighted Stabilizers
- Place smooth river stones in bath corners
- Use ceramic hideouts as anchors
- Embed tile pieces in sand base
- Add terracotta pots as digging barriers
Strategic placement greatly reduces cleanup. Place baths away from wheel paths. Avoid placing near heavy traffic burrowing zones. Place in a corner of the enclosure with support on two sides. This natural barrier also acts to catch sand that may scatter and will be helpful in further minimizing the spread of the sand.
The height of the barrier should match the behavior of the species. Dwarves will require a minimum of 3-inch walls, and a Syrian a minimum of 4-inch obstacles. You can have acrylic sheets cut to size to create a custom option. Use aquarium-safe silicone to attach the sheets, ensuring that they can also be removed for cleaning.
Weighting methods help to stabilize baths during heavy usage. Rocks are placed in the corners of baths for stability. Stone or ceramic hides sunk halfway into sand create a hindrance for digging. The use of rocks or hides as natural diggers distracts the rodents from the edges of the containers, where most of the scattering is likely to occur.
*Regular upkeep* prevents messes from accumulating. Every day, sweep back any soil/sand that has become scattered using a small broom. Replace any weights that have been displaced. Inspect the adhesive on the barriers each week. Establishing a routine around these habits will ensure that containment remains effective in the long term.
Read the full article: Hamster Sand Baths: Essential Care Guide
