How Sand Baths Work: In the wild, gerbils and hamsters clean themselves with sand and dirt . Sand is Naturally abrasive and a good alternative to water for animals that would be made vulnerable by taking a bath in liquid. The abrasion created when your hamster or gerbil rolls in the sand bath functions to remove the excess particles from the coat. The sand itself absorbs excess oils and moisture from the skin and coat.Water-baths are not good for gerbils and hamsters as they leach away vital molecules from their coats, and this can lead to skin problems. Water baths should only be used in emergencies, such as when a gerbil has something potentially harmful stuck to its fur.Helpful tips for your critter's sand bath:-Use a bowl that won't tip over easily. Your pet will be scrambling around in the sand, so a flat base is best. Only a little sand need be used - no more than halfway full.-Place your critter gently into the sand. Don't pour any sand over it- they will sort themselves out. They'll wriggle in the sand, giving themselves a good scrub in the process.-Some owners like to have a permanent sand bowl in their gerbil/hamster enclosure so that they bathe whenever they want to.-Note: many gerbil/hamster take to sand baths very readily, while others are less inclined to take the plunge. It might therefore be a good idea to find out what your own gerbils like before investing in permanent sand bath fittings.