alternatives for shavings as triggiering my asthma??

ellisyellis · 03-25-2009, 04:45 AM

hi,

does anybody know what i could put in the bottom of my hamsters cage instead of shavings as i have put edgar in my bedroom and the shavings in the bottom of his cage is triggering my asthma off? i dont want to move him out of my bedroom as i need to be checking him often as he is poorly with mites.

what else could i use which would be DUST FREE! and not smelly! ???

redd1800 · 03-25-2009, 05:39 AM

Shredded paper

ellisyellis · 03-25-2009, 07:03 AM

do u know where you can get that from? that would work if i can get it. what about the paper out of my paper shredder? would that be to sharp and give him paper cuts?

Bunsey · 03-25-2009, 11:08 AM

you could try megazorb (available online, try a google shopping search) or carefresh (pets at home or online), or finacard (also available online) which i'd say you'd definately be ok with as it's basially ripped up bits of cardboard. It's not as good as the others as it doesn't hide smells as well and isn't as comfortable, but it's perfectly adequate. I wouldn't use shredded paper.

Treacle_08 · 03-25-2009, 11:55 AM

I recommend Back 2 Nature small animal litter as it's dust free, although it can be hard to get hold of it's great stuff.

ellisyellis · 03-25-2009, 12:24 PM

thanks for your help,

im going to town tomorrow so will look in my local pet store and see which ones you suggested i can track down. i looked at all the reccomendations on google. i have a petsathome near me but its out of town. the carefresh looks good.

does megazorb still come only in big bales? thinking for storage. xx

souffle · 03-26-2009, 06:21 AM

I got some megazorb yesterday and it came in a large sack. Cost about £7.50. I see you have ponies. What bedding are they on as you could maybe get some of that. The shredded paper would be too hard for the little one who has fur loss. You could use the shredded chipped paper from Wilkos as he will need really soft bedding.

redd1800 · 03-26-2009, 09:03 AM

Paper shredder is fine for getting your shredded paper. Some workplaces are quite happy for you to recycle their shredded paper for them

ellisyellis · 03-28-2009, 09:15 AM

hi,

i got some carefresh in the end after going to the pet shop as it was a size i could take on the bus. my ponies are native breeds and live out with blankets on. i have used shavings before when they have been poorly but they live out all the time. am trying to figure out what the carefresh is made out of? does anybody know? it seems to be doing the job so may stick with that. it doesnt smell and is a lot less dusty although it has a bit of dust in.
i also saw the back to nature litter too in a big bag. i wished i could see it. there only a pic of it on the bag. x

souffle · 03-29-2009, 03:09 PM

I think carefresh is made from wood pulp, unrefined paper effectively! The back to nature looks similar but more sort of pellety I'd say