Poorly Robo *THE DANGERS OF FLUFFY BEDDING* - Page 10

Skittler · 11-03-2012, 04:29 AM

Thats good to know the tissue dissolves completely, its just that compared with that cotton wool stuff it doesnt seem too snuggly, I think fern could be poisonous also. My hamster book also suggests a depth of 10cm on cage floor for Hammy to burrow in, the more the better and says this will eliminated bar chewing.

hammy_mumma · 12-06-2012, 03:55 AM

I don't know if this has been mentioned yet but I used the edbile vegetable based fluffy bedding the other day for my ham because I ran out of my normal stuff and that is all the pet shop had (should have used kitchen roll). Despite her being a fairly healthy adult hamster it got tightly wrapped around her leg and cut off the circulation. She broke her leg in her attempts to escape and is undergoing an amputation this morning

. I am so sad I was seduced by the fluffy stuff.

souffle · 12-06-2012, 04:02 AM

Oh no I am so sad to hear this. You must contact the manufacturer with your experiences and maybe support with a vet report. We need this stuff off the shelves. It is the texture and the strength of the fibres. Regardless of what the pack says these are NOT edible.
Cotton wool is plant based and we couldn't digest that and neither can hamsters.
I hope your little one comes through the operation well and heals quickly. Hamsters do very well on 3 legs. Which leg is it? Hamsters with missing front limbs can have issues emptying the pouches as they can't use the foot to push it out. Back legs may need adapted water source like a bowl or low bottle as they cannot balance so well to lap. Depending on how much is removed they may not be able to use a wheel as the stump can get opened up and expose the bone if they run too much so other forms of enrichment are needed.

amie · 12-06-2012, 04:58 AM

Best wishes, hammy_mumma for your Robo's operation. I've had a 3 legged Winter White and your little Robo should also manage just fine on 3 legs. What a terrible accident. I hope that you get some satisfaction from the manufacturer over this. Perhaps you could take some photos to show them as evidence?
Good luck.

hammy_mumma · 12-06-2012, 08:12 AM

I wish I had taken photos of the injury, unfortunately she died under the anaethetic, I am devestated.

The Hamster's family · 12-06-2012, 08:16 AM

Ohhhhh nooo !!! I'm so sorry hun.... This is such sad news.... =( I'm sincerely sorry... Maybe get a vet report could help you to make them understand they have to take it off the market... His death may serve this way... But for now, take time to grieve... I really hope your heart heals up... You did what needed to be done and offered proper care for your baby... Feel proud about it... You're a great pet owner. We're all supporting you here...

Play well at the Bridge, little one... Enjoy It and everything It offers !

Annie xxx

racinghamster · 12-06-2012, 08:21 AM

It is tragic that this type of cotton-wool type nesting material is STILL being marketed and sold by many shops and online retailers. I was shopping for some groceries in Asda yesterday and walked past their pet supplies. They had a packet of that fluffy wool type material on sale and the first thought that passed through my mind was, go and speak to the manager about this. If I thought it wouldn`t fall on deaf ears, I would do it. It saddens me that these products are still out there causing fatal injuries to hamsters and other small animals, yet nobody seems to be held account for the damage it is doing.

It needs taking off shelves altogether and more awareness is needed to prevent it being sold and manufactured in the first place. There are much safer alternatives out there yet people are STILL tempted to use this unsafe bedding, which will sadly always happen as long as it`s sold.

The Hamster's family · 12-06-2012, 08:32 AM

I've just sent a link of this thread to few pet shops I got to (and that know me) hoping that if the info comes from me, they will understand... It's not much, but...

Annie xx

evel_lin · 12-06-2012, 09:39 AM

Oh no, I'm so sorry hammy_mumma

The Hamster's family · 12-06-2012, 10:01 AM

One of the pet shop just responded and she will TAKE THE TIME to read it... It's very important here, in Quebec at least, that these products are made inaccessable since we don't really have rodents vets and that vets bills are sooo high ! Here, the fact that a rodent is small is a reason to charge more... So our hammies could end up suffering a lot before passing cause of this stuff... It's soo sad...