I have a hamster and I don't think the smell is any worse than the other rodents I've had, but that's just my opinion. I have a panda hamster...at least that's what the pet store called it, and she has been one of the nicest animals! She's even been indulgent when my 3 year old opens her cage nabs her out of it and proceeds to take her around the house clutched in one little fist. She's also very good about taking food from our hands...only once mistaken a little finger for food (and never broke the skin). She has musked once or twice but nothing a handwashing couldn't fix. Anyway that's my