103 replies to this topic

[ThatLittleHammie]

I used aspen but switched to carefresh and its WAY Better

[Emo2018]

Would using toilt paper soaking for an hour then letting it dry would it work for the bedding?? I have family members who’s allergic to most woods and there allergies flare up around dust so would paper work??

[TheMetallicaHams]

From personal experience with megazorb the smell did not go away even after 3-4 weeks and in the end I had to replace it because it left the weirdest musky smell in the room and I didn’t like to think how it must’ve smelt to my hammy

I’ve been using Megazorb for about a year now as I had found that the quality of Fitch was getting worse whilst the price was going up and I’ve been really pleased with it. From what I have heard from other members of the hamster clubs in the UK that have used it, the smell depends on how it has been stored at the supplier. I had one bag that had a slightly strange smell a few months ago but thankfully it seemed to go away after a while.

[Eeyore]

Hello everyone!

I was just wondering if it would be safe to use shredded paper (not the kind from a store, but just regular paper that you put through a shredder) as bedding in my hamster’s cage? I have access to an unlimited supply of it, but don’t want to use it if unsafe.
Thanks so much!

[Luna~chan]

Is it okay to use fleece as bedding because i saw many people using it for their hamster and is much cheaper

[nebit]

Is it okay to use fleece as bedding because i saw many people using it for their hamster and is much cheaper

No, fleece isn't suitable. It isn't burrowable, and cloth in general isn't recommended in cages because of hamster's tendency to chew. Fleece is the safest type of cloth, but that doesn't mean it's ok as cage bedding.

[CandyAngel]

I was wondering if Healthy Pet CritterCare Natural Pet Bedding is any good for hamsters?

 

The white feels and looks like Carefresh but the brown kinda feels oily 

I'm not sure what to use for my Syrian hamster Skittles 

[nebit]

I was wondering if Healthy Pet CritterCare Natural Pet Bedding is any good for hamsters?

 

The white feels and looks like Carefresh but the brown kinda feels oily 

I'm not sure what to use for my Syrian hamster Skittles 

CritterCare is made by the same people who make Carefresh. It's generally considered safe.

[CandyAngel]

CritterCare is made by the same people who make Carefresh. It's generally considered safe.

 

Thanks, That's really good to know ;3

[KristalP]

Heyo! We're using Hemp bedding right now (aubiose) but it doesnt hold tunnels well. Our hammo LOVES burrowing and also keeps storing her food in the tunnels she makes in her deep-burrowing area, but like, theres no way she can find it again because the tunnels collapse as soon as she faffs about in there.. can anyone give a recommendation for the best burrowing bedding that holds its shape? Shes a Syrian : )

 

 

I was wondering about dirt but I've mostly seen that in Dwarf Hamsters cages?

 

thank you!

[nebit]

Heyo! We're using Hemp bedding right now (aubiose) but it doesnt hold tunnels well. Our hammo LOVES burrowing and also keeps storing her food in the tunnels she makes in her deep-burrowing area, but like, theres no way she can find it again because the tunnels collapse as soon as she faffs about in there.. can anyone give a recommendation for the best burrowing bedding that holds its shape? Shes a Syrian : )

 

 

I was wondering about dirt but I've mostly seen that in Dwarf Hamsters cages?

I wouldn't use dirt, it's hard to find "clean dirt", the closest would be coconut fiber, which resembles dirt, but doesn't control urine well and tend to grow mold quickly. You have to keep it fairly damp in order for it to be good at burrowing, and then you get the mold. It's also super messy. It can be used in a small area in a container that can be changed often, but not for the whole cage. It's also expensive.

 

You might try mixing some hay in with the aubiose and see if that helps it hold it's shape more.

 

Beddings that are known to be good at holding burrows include Kaytee C&C, Boxo, and shredded aspen (not shavings). I'm not sure if any of those are available where you're at?

[KristalP]

What sort of hay should I mix in?? That helps holds tunnels?? good to know. 

 

Surprised that shredded aspen holds tunnels but aubiose doesnt!

[Hera the Hamster]

What sort of hay should I mix in?? That helps holds tunnels?? good to know. 
 
Surprised that shredded aspen holds tunnels but aubiose doesnt!

Timothy hay should work fine.

[nebit]

What sort of hay should I mix in?? That helps holds tunnels?? good to know. 

 

Surprised that shredded aspen holds tunnels but aubiose doesnt!

Any sort of hay should work fine.

 

I don't have experience with Aubiose, so it may just not be suitable for burrowing, but have you tried packing it down tight in the cage? Even the best burrowing substrates need to be tightly packed to hold burrows well.

[cloudane]

I'm changing my tune on Megazorb now.  I don't know if it's just how it's settled or if it's because we switched to a bin cage where the ventilation is on top (so dust is not escaping quite as readily as when it was all bars) but we're about halfway down the bag and it's horrendously dusty.  For example an actual layer of dust has formed on top of the water bottle (which gets removed for refills regularly, that's just how bad the dust is) and it's all over the side of the wheel etc.  I'm thinking this can't be good for her lungs surely?!  Ordered some Fitch (just a kilo to try it out) which is due tomorrow and I feel that the Megazorb is going straight in the bin after that.

Edited by cloudane, 13 June 2018 - 10:32 PM.