103 replies to this topic

[lil BIG dwarf]

Hi guys! I’m just wondering what different kinds of substances I can use for my hamsters cage, so he can explore lots of different textures. I currently have: sand, shredded kitchen roll and shredded cardboard. I would also like to put soil in there if that’s safe. Do you have any other ideas for different textures of substrates?

 

Make sure the soil has no fertilizer

 

Coconut Shavings are good. Maybe try undyed spagnum moss (for reptiles), too?

[daisy~]

Hi guys! I’m just wondering what different kinds of substances I can use for my hamsters cage, so he can explore lots of different textures. I currently have: sand, shredded kitchen roll and shredded cardboard. I would also like to put soil in there if that’s safe. Do you have any other ideas for different textures of substrates?

 

I'd suggest some leaf litter or foraging mixes which you can buy from Rat Rations. 

Foraging mixes

Flowers and leaves

[MonkeyCat]

Has anyone tried flax bedding before?

[deadlyroseshams]

i have a bag of " Zoo-Med aspen snake bedding " from a previous pet and have been wondering if its okay for my hamsters, i know its aspen but the pieces are a lot smaller and i am worried it might just give them a bunch of splinters? im new on here so im not sure how to add a picture but maybe someone with more knowledge on this can look this bedding up and see if it looks safe?

[nebit]

i have a bag of " Zoo-Med aspen snake bedding " from a previous pet and have been wondering if its okay for my hamsters, i know its aspen but the pieces are a lot smaller and i am worried it might just give them a bunch of splinters? im new on here so im not sure how to add a picture but maybe someone with more knowledge on this can look this bedding up and see if it looks safe?

Shredded Aspen is great for hamsters. I like it even better than the shavings- it holds burrows much better.

[jeremythedwarfhammy]

does anyone know what the pets at home wood shavings are from in the UK ?because it doesn’t say on the packaging

[lil BIG dwarf]

does anyone know what the pets at home wood shavings are from in the UK ?because it doesn’t say on the packaging

 

I believe there (unsafe) pine/cedar

[jeremythedwarfhammy]

ok thank you i will stop using them ,, i’ve only been using them for about a week

[wkerdy]

I have been using Vitakraft Fresh World Crumbles for a couple of years. My hamsters seem to adore it, as, before that, I used Quartz and Silica Sand. Well, they actually hated it. Sometimes they wouldn't sleep at all during the night. I still remember how the veterinarian told me about the importance of suitable bedding. He made a comparison with our human sleep. A good bedding solution for our pets is as important as a proper mattress for ourselves. And I have to admit, when I was choosing my mattress, I had a great dilemma. I was able to decide myself only after reading some reviews on https://bedselection.co.uk/. Well, I don't regret choosing the orthopedic mattress.

Edited by wkerdy, 10 September 2021 - 12:15 AM.

[zerotwo]

I have been using Vitakraft Fresh World Crumbles for a couple of years. My hamsters seem to adore it, as, before that, I used Quartz and Silica Sand. Well, they actually hated it. Sometimes they wouldn't sleep at all during the night. I still remember how the veterinarian told me about the importance of suitable bedding. He made a comparison with our human sleep. A good bedding solution for our pets is as important as a proper mattress for ourselves. And I have to admit, when I was choosing my mattress, I had a great dilemma. I was able to decide myself only after reading some reviews on https://bedselection.co.uk/. Well, I don't regret choosing the orthopedic mattress.

VItakraft crumbles are great actually, I am still using them

[Robin~]

VItakraft crumbles are great actually, I am still using them

This poster is a bot.

In any case, Vitakraft crumbles do not hold burrows well so I would only suggest using them in a small portion of the cage.

[kuroii]

Quick check, should the paper bedding come with a bit of cotton bits? On the main topic it says cotton is extremely unsafe, but I saw my hamster chewing and having difficulty trying to break apart what looked like cotton. I’m using oxbow small animal bedding (white) that *should* be paper only (it was listed as similar to kaytee clean & cosy).

Is it cotton or just paper clumped up together? First time owning hamster so not sure if this is normal for paper bedding

Attached image : https://imgur.com/a/qYDWv7n

Edited by kuroii, 05 December 2021 - 09:24 PM.

[Kikya]

Quick check, should the paper bedding come with a bit of cotton bits? On the main topic it says cotton is extremely unsafe, but I saw my hamster chewing and having difficulty trying to break apart what looked like cotton. I’m using oxbow small animal bedding (white) that *should* be paper only (it was listed as similar to kaytee clean & cosy).

Is it cotton or just paper clumped up together? First time owning hamster so not sure if this is normal for paper bedding

Attached image : https://imgur.com/a/qYDWv7n

If it's oxbox pure comfort, it should be fine. It looks like just a clump of paper bedding, sometimes you get a bag that has some hard pieces. I usually remove them. just for peace of mind.

[ChinchillaDude]

It’s been over a year since I had a hamster and before that it’d been a few years. That last one lasted <6 months as he was adopted as an adult. Anyway I’m not too up on current bedding’s. I’m assuming aspen and carefresh are still along the most popular? I used carefresh for my new (and this time a baby) Syrian.