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Old 03-29-2017, 03:50 AM   #1
snow pony
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Default Dust free bedding

My little RD Tey has an ongoing respiratory problem, and I was just wondering what the most dust-free beddings were. I currently use dust extracted wood shavings.
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Old 03-29-2017, 03:55 AM   #2
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

Fitch is the best, as dust free as it gets, it does come in fairly big bags 10kg or 20kg but the 10kg is easy to store if you're a bit short on space, the larger the bag the more economical it is as most of what you pay is delivery but even the smaller bags are good value.
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Old 03-29-2017, 04:02 AM   #3
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

Compressed wood pellets.

Stay with wood will help coz ammonia reacts with lignin in wood to output a safer byproduct. Still need changing & cleaning though.

Pls include some flat surfaces (must clean daily) to make sure they can find and eat their own poo. If they dun eat their own poo they will die of vitamin deficiency in just few months, and a very ugly painful death too. Otherwise the poo will disappear between the wood pellets.

Flat Granite will help to file nails & hold poo. Leave some poo for them after cleaning.
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Old 03-29-2017, 04:29 AM   #4
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

Fitch is definitely the best substrate and bedding! It's dust free and excellent for burrowing in. My hamsters love it, and you don't need to worry about finding a dust-free bedding too because my hamsters ignore any bedding material I give them and use only Fitch (they like to dig burrows and sleep inside them). It's only £20 for 20kg too and it's lasted me 3 months with 4 hamsters.

Tomnjerry suggested wood pellets but honestly, they're not a very good substrate material. They're too hard on tiny hamster feet and they can't do natural behaviours like burrowing because the wood pellets are too smooth and won't hold their shape. Plus, if it's anything like wooden cat litter, they've become mushy when wet which is not good for the hamster either and I imagine it would become hard to clean as well.
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Old 03-29-2017, 05:04 AM   #5
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

As I mentioned in the other thread I bought carefresh, aspen shavings, sand, timothy hay and compressed wood pellets as experiment.

I monitored where they spent their most time. As I already suspected they loved the sand and was ok with the compressed wood pellets. The other beddings they went in to do their renovations and then left thereafter to the sand and compressed wood pellets.

So the HAMSTER HAS SPOKEN!

WHY DUN YOU ASK YOUR HAMSTER? GIVE THEM ALL AND SEE WHERE THEY GO?
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Old 03-29-2017, 05:16 AM   #6
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

I have tried numerous substrates trying to find a dust free substrate when I had Sherbet as she was also sensitive to dusty bedding. Personally I am really impressed with using Fitch it is virtually dust-free and had the least amount of dust to other bedding I had tried. Fitch is very cost effective although a downside could be the large bags which can be difficult to store. Pumpkin definitely approves of Fitch she really enjoys digging in it (it's okay at holding burrows), she also likes to use it in her house alongside her shredded tissues.
So I would also recommend trying Fitch for Tey and seeing whether he is any better on that than woodshavings.
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Old 03-29-2017, 05:26 AM   #7
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Smile Re: Dust free bedding

Your best bet will be to continue with the aspen wood shavings and clean the wheel daily.

The physical movement stimulates urination. Before they open eyes mum must stimulate/massage their bodies for them to urinate. Now the wheel is the de facto mum so must be cleaned daily.
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Old 03-29-2017, 06:09 AM   #8
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomnjerry View Post
Your best bet will be to continue with the aspen wood shavings and clean the wheel daily.

The physical movement stimulates urination. Before they open eyes mum must stimulate/massage their bodies for them to urinate. Now the wheel is the de facto mum so must be cleaned daily.
I wouldn't really recommend cleaning the urine out of the wheel on a daily basis as this can become quite stressful for your little one, and they'll simply end up peeing on it more in order to compensate.

To answer the original question, I too would recommend Fitch it's an excellent substrate at a great price (for the amount that you get). Another great substrate that's virtually dust free and is readily available in the US, is kaytee clean and cozy. It's also very soft and good for burrowing and I've found it to be quite absorbent. From what I've heard from a reputable breeder near me, boxo is a pretty good substrate too and is very low in dust! Good luck finding something
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Old 03-29-2017, 06:15 AM   #9
tomnjerry
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Smile Re: Dust free bedding

Actually I have experimented with the wheel cleaning

If not cleaned daily, they will use the wheel but wun sleep on it! or do other activities much!

If cleaned daily, they treat the wheel like any other space. Sleep, groom, stretch etc the time spent on the wheel is increased.

Last edited by Vectis Hamstery; 03-29-2017 at 06:16 AM. Reason: remove statements in capitals. Please minimise use of statements in capitals which can be viewed as shouting online.
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Old 03-29-2017, 06:20 AM   #10
snow pony
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Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by tomnjerry View Post
Your best bet will be to continue with the aspen wood shavings and clean the wheel daily.

The physical movement stimulates urination. Before they open eyes mum must stimulate/massage their bodies for them to urinate. Now the wheel is the de facto mum so must be cleaned daily.
I'm not entirely sure why you're saying I should clean the wheel daily as he doesn't even urinate on his, although my other does and I wipe it down and then I wash it with water every week.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions, I will look into getting him some Fitch to try and make him as comfortable as possible with his breathing.
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