Reptisand safe for hamsters?

nickoh · 03-01-2016, 04:25 PM

Trying to find a hamster safe bath sand and came upon Reptisand. Has anybody ever used it before?

Here's a link: reptisand

Rsclio197 · 03-01-2016, 04:32 PM

I'd be keen to know an answer to this as i have never used a sand bath before!

With the right type of sand how beneficial and how much do hamsters tend to enjoy having them? A Syrian in particular.

velma · 03-01-2016, 04:39 PM

I think there is something in reptile sand that isn't great for hamsters but I'm not sure what so I'd hold of making a judgement call on that one until someone more experienced can tell you.
I use chinchilla sand but I don't know a brand over there that I could recommend. Chinchilla dust is too, well, dusty for hams and can cause breathing problems. Chinchilla sand should be fine but I think some brands are more like a dust so again, I'd wait for a US based hammy owner.
What you can use safely and cheaply is children's play sand. You need to bake it in the oven to sterilise it first and then it's perfectly fine.
My Syrian doesn't have a bath in it like my robo does but I have some in a biscuit jar on its side for her toilet corner and she also likes digging in it.

nickoh · 03-01-2016, 05:31 PM

my syrian hammy bathes himself in his potty litter, which is a lil gross. i mean he doesnt smell like urine or anything. i also looked into kaytee chinchilla bath sand which i can order from online. he really enjoys digging and id think he'd like a little sand pit. ive been to some hardware stores and have never found any reliable children play sand.

i found another thread here about it here: Reptile Sand?

velma · 03-02-2016, 05:58 AM

I've seen something about Kaytee chinchilla sand recently but I can't remember where. I can't remember if someone said that was too dusty? Hopefully one of our American members can help with that.
Do you have any toy stores near or something like that? They may have kids play sand.

Ann333 · 03-02-2016, 06:21 AM

Reptisand is not really even safe for reptiles. A lot of time it has calcium in it for when reptiles eat insects they get added calcium from the sand they accidentally ingest. The problem tends to be that because of this addded calcium when the sand gets wet (like in intestines) and then dries back out it turns hard as cement. It causes intestinal blockages. Now i know hamsters dont eat sand, but just be careful.

essentiallysue · 03-02-2016, 10:42 AM

What I always used was "children's play sand" and could find it in Home Depot or Lowes. It comes in a 50 pound bag, but you can store it in a plastic trash can with a lid. It keeps you in sand for a long time. If you have several hamsters, you will be buying the chinchilla sand over and over and it is costly. If you are having them use it as a toilet and place a dish of it in their cage, you can change often. The 50 lb. bags are only about $4 to $5.

nickoh · 03-05-2016, 02:04 AM

I ended up buying this sand cause I found the children's play sand to be way too dusty. However idk if it's fully safe? I mean it says it's "all purpose sand" and when i squeeze it, it'll hold it's shape and have small fall out. If you find anything, wrong with it let me know! It was only like $3

Quikrete 50 lb. All-Purpose Sand-115251 - The Home Depot

Edit: Mine doesn't come in this opaque paper bag? Mine came in a clear plastic bag and i don't think it's 50 lbs.

velma · 03-05-2016, 12:58 PM

I'm not sure I like the look of that either to be honest. It's a coarse sand and I'm not sure what would happen with that if a small bit was ingested by your hamster.

CMB · 03-05-2016, 01:07 PM

Course sand is a builders sand to mix with cement for making concrete. If it clumps it may be too wet to be useful as bathing sand. The colour may also come out as well.

Chinchilla sand is best and can be bought in most pet shops or online.