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Old 05-05-2015, 06:03 PM   #1
Sandra75
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Default Beddings .... ??!

So I am wondering what bedding to use or not use for a dwarf hamster?

I have regular Carefresh and is mixed with pine wood shavings.

But now looking at new things at stores and most (if not all) Carefresh has baking soda in it!

What is safe?
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Old 05-05-2015, 11:08 PM   #2
nickoh
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Smile Re: Beddings .... ??!

I don't think pine is safe for hamsters cause it has dust that causes respiratory problems. Aspen shavings and any paper-based bedding is safe for them cause it'll break down in their systems and pass though safely. Basically they'll poop out the stuff. Cardboard is safe too like toilet paper rolls but should be used as chewing material. I've heard of people giving them toilet paper as nesting material but shouldn't be used as a main bedding. Hope that helps!
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Old 05-05-2015, 11:43 PM   #3
cypher
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

You do want to avoid the carefresh with baking soda, I'm not well up on substrate available in the US but you might find this thread helpful Substrate poll
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Old 05-06-2015, 03:59 AM   #4
Sandra75
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

This is when I get confused. I read the link ... and I'm not sure if it helped me but it gave me a overall of what pet owners use.

OK, so here in Canada. I always heard that Aspen has toxic fumes and to never use it. to use pine shaving that is safe.

With my first hamster, I used shredded paper which I didn't like as it didn't seem to absorb or do anything for ammonia smell....

But now its been 5 years since my last hamster and now with my new one ... I am more confused than ever. Now I see most of Carefresh has baking soda ... and I heard that isn't good, but why? Some other websites says it works great.

Now for the colour ... says that Carefresh has toxic fumes or something like that for the colours .... Some rat owners reported their rats sneezing on that bedding.

I have the Carefresh that is 10% paper and 90% pine shavings. I mix with the white Katee clean and cozy. I haven't smelled any ammonia and yet to do my first corner cleaning since I got the hamster 7 days ago.

Is there really something safe or each type has their downfall?
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Old 05-06-2015, 05:11 AM   #5
Jeir
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Pine shavings are only safe if the wood has been kiln dried, as the heating process removes most/all of the dangerous oils. If it has been, then it should be perfectly fine as a substrate.

Aspen is also fine for use as substrate. It's one of the few wood shavings that isn't harmful to hamsters.

The baking soda is an issue as, due to the small particles, it can cause respiratory problems. It's the same reason why it's recommended that people check they're getting Chinchilla Sand for their hamsters, and not the dust. Carefresh is also rather dusty, which is probably why the rats sneezed, rather than they had issues with the (I think vegetable-based) dye.
Thankfully, they stopped putting it in Carefresh in the US (it was never in UK/European versions) in January, according to Jim, who is the brand manager for Carefresh.

If you were in the UK, I'd recommend Fitch, but as you're not...

Continue using what you're using, but just make sure the Carefresh packaging doesn't say it has baking soda in it. You could also try aspen, or hemp/aubiose, which are cheaper substrate options that are safe for hams.
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:13 PM   #6
Sandra75
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Thanks! Ahhh, true, I had forgotten that Aspen is ok.. I must of mistaken with Cedar I think that has toxic fumes. Unless things changed.

I just found hemp bedding here on the Canadian Amazon website. I might just give it a try if that is a safe substrate to use! Is it ok to mix that with the soft type of bedding, like the Katee Soft and Cozy?
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Old 05-07-2015, 07:24 PM   #7
Miss kiwi
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Never buy pine or cedar shavings s they have chemicals in them that will badly affect their respiratory tract. Aspen is the way to go if you're looking at buying shavings!
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Old 05-07-2015, 08:00 PM   #8
Sandra75
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Quote:
Originally Posted by emilywhite View Post
Never buy pine or cedar shavings s they have chemicals in them that will badly affect their respiratory tract. Aspen is the way to go if you're looking at buying shavings!
Emily, we're both from Ontario! Are you in Ottawa?

Thanks! I was reading that if pine is KILN dried that is safe. I'm not sure what that is. As Its been 5 year I didn't have a hamster. So I wonder if some things changed since. The bedding I have now is from Carefresh, is a mix of pine and soft bedding.

I'm going to be buying the big Marchioro cage for my lil dwarf hamster ... so I'm looking at what is economical. Looks like hemp bedding is another alternative and looks way cheaper too.
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Old 05-07-2015, 08:33 PM   #9
Miss kiwi
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Quote:
Originally Posted by Sandra75 View Post
Emily, we're both from Ontario! Are you in Ottawa?

Thanks! I was reading that if pine is KILN dried that is safe. I'm not sure what that is. As Its been 5 year I didn't have a hamster. So I wonder if some things changed since. The bedding I have now is from Carefresh, is a mix of pine and soft bedding.

I'm going to be buying the big Marchioro cage for my lil dwarf hamster ... so I'm looking at what is economical. Looks like hemp bedding is another alternative and looks way cheaper too.
I'm about 4 hours away from Ottawa! Closer to Toronto I haven't seen hemp bedding at any of the stores that I have gone too :/ I use aspen shavings and a handful of Carefresh so she can make a comfy nest and my little one loves it too
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Old 05-07-2015, 10:52 PM   #10
cypher
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Default Re: Beddings .... ??!

Kiln dried pine is safe & it's fine to mix beddings if you do decide to try some hemp along with something else, some people just mix it all up & others have areas of different bedding in the cage, either way is fine.
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