Hamster — grooming (owner-practical care, Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner)
Source: first-hand Merck Veterinary Manual pet-owner text, saved to source_file; every claim below is a C1 byte-substring of it.
Claims
Whatever cage or tank is selected, it should be easy to clean and sanitize, well ventilated, and easy to light.All water and food containers should be easy to clean and sanitize.Select bedding that is clean, nontoxic, absorbent, as dust-free as possible, and easy to change.Cotton balls are potentially dangerous because the cotton can be caught in toenails and feet and cause injury.Fresh , clean water should always be available.Evenings are usually good times for interactive play, cage cleaning, and other joint activity.The fur around a hamster’s genitals should be checked for stains from feces, urine, or vaginal discharge.For example, the veterinarian can place medicines directly into a hamster’s stomach or give injections under the skin or into the abdomen.The most important step you can take, after being sure your hamster’s home is kept clean, is to be sure your hamster cannot get out of its cage.Active hamsters can be dropped or can fall off tables or other furniture.Whenever your hamster is outside its cage (for example, when you are cleaning the cage), place the hamster in a secure place, such as a second hamster cage, to prevent the hamster from wandering off into dangerous areas.Do not assume that your hamster will sit idly on a table while you clean the cage.
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Source: pdf-raw/owner-care/merck_hamster.txt · https://www.merckvetmanual.com/all-other-pets