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Old 03-09-2017, 02:06 PM   #1
JLPrairie
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Default Alfalfa Pellets as Bedding?

Weird question.
Would it be a good idea to use alfalfa pellets (those brown cylinder things no hamsters will eat) in their toilet/or as bedding? According to this website: Best Bedding for Rats - Understanding Pet Fancy Rats
they are a good bedding for rats, but would they work for hamsters? Not all of the bedding would be alfalfa pellets, just a little so that the pellets don't all go to waste.
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:32 PM   #2
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Default Re: Alfalfa Pellets as Bedding?

One experiment later...
Alfalfa pellets are actually quite absorbent, put a sample in a little tin bowl and absorbed twice its volume in water.
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:49 PM   #3
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Default Re: Alfalfa Pellets as Bedding?

Alfalfa isn't good for rats or hamsters Firstly it is not an easily digested material(for rats,hamsters it is slightly digestible with minimal nutritional value).Secondly,it will mold as it is a food product(this is a serious health risk,and is precisely why corn cob is unsafe).Third,there are always going to be additives in any pellet which if rabbit specific can be unsafe!The hamster version are food,not litter,and should never be used as such for safety reasons.

Any form of litter or substrate must not mold,and must be completely safe(including digestible).
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:53 PM   #4
JLPrairie
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Default Re: Alfalfa Pellets as Bedding?

Okay, thanks!
If it isn't completely digestible, why is it in so many hamster food products ?
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Old 03-09-2017, 02:56 PM   #5
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Default Re: Alfalfa Pellets as Bedding?

It's moderately digestible at best,but the usage is that it works nicely for a pellet to add vitamins and minerals to(hence why they must remain in the food you provide,to avoid imbalanced vitamins and minerals).That doesn't mean it's healthy or that it should be fed in massive amounts,but the small amount in food is generally fine!

Do keep in mind that storebought pet products are not always safe.Yes,some are,but a lot of storebought food and treats are junk food or have unsafe ingredients
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