Allergy?

Josiesloth · 04-08-2018, 03:07 PM

Hiya, so I’m thinking my Syrian hamster, Gus, might have an allergy of some sort. A while ago I was saying about him having little snezzes. They went away but now seem to be back. Laitly when I have been getting him out (he will free roam in my room, hamster proofed of course!) I will notice him do a few little snezzes. I don’t know if this could be his bedding from in his cage (I use sawdust) and if I should change it for something different. Or if it’s something in my room. I hardly ever use any type of spray or candle or anything like that, that could upset him and I keep my room very clean cause I have him out a lot. Just not sure what to do. I have two little dwarf hamsters that don’t have any problems so I’m just a bit worried about him. Any ideas of what it could be or if I’m just over thinking it would be very helpful x

Pebbles82 · 04-08-2018, 03:36 PM

When you say sawdust do you mean wood shavings? I know sometimes people refer to wood shavings as sawdust but actual sawdust would be very bad and would cause issues - too dusty.

Anyway yes - hamsters can be allergic to any type of wood. Even hardwoods, which are safer to use than softwoods. It may be just one type of wood they are allergic to or more than one type.

A good option if allergy is suspected is to use a non allergenic paper based substrate, which I actually prefer now! Fitch is very popular. It's recycled food grade paper, works out very cheap as it's sold in large bags and lasts for ages, and hamsters really like it because it's nice and soft and they add bits to their nest. It holds tunnels quite well too.

I get the 10kg bag because the 20kg bag is huge and it needs storing indoors so it doesn't go damp and mouldy. One of those lasts me about 6 months with a 100cm cage. The idea is you have a good amount of substrate in (4 to 6 inches depth) and don't do big cage cleans weekly, but spot clean (using a litter tray helps keep the cage clean too) and then you only need to change the substrate every 2 or 3 months. You order it direct from the manufacturer and postage is included in the price. It takes 2 to 4 days to arrive. I would then just switch all the bedding over. But hide a few treats around the cage afterwards to make up for the upheaval!

https://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/ani...-delivery.html

cypher · 04-08-2018, 11:25 PM

It does still sound as though he's mostly sneezing out of the cage which doesn't rule out an allergy to something but does make it seem unlikely that the wood shavings are the problem, it wouldn't hurt to switch to something like the Fitch Serendipity mentioned just to see if it helps, it's much nicer & economical so you don't have anything to lose there but it might be worth giving more thought to anything in the room that could be setting him off.

Josiesloth · 04-09-2018, 03:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

When you say sawdust do you mean wood shavings? I know sometimes people refer to wood shavings as sawdust but actual sawdust would be very bad and would cause issues - too dusty.

Anyway yes - hamsters can be allergic to any type of wood. Even hardwoods, which are safer to use than softwoods. It may be just one type of wood they are allergic to or more than one type.

A good option if allergy is suspected is to use a non allergenic paper based substrate, which I actually prefer now! Fitch is very popular. It's recycled food grade paper, works out very cheap as it's sold in large bags and lasts for ages, and hamsters really like it because it's nice and soft and they add bits to their nest. It holds tunnels quite well too.

I get the 10kg bag because the 20kg bag is huge and it needs storing indoors so it doesn't go damp and mouldy. One of those lasts me about 6 months with a 100cm cage. The idea is you have a good amount of substrate in (4 to 6 inches depth) and don't do big cage cleans weekly, but spot clean (using a litter tray helps keep the cage clean too) and then you only need to change the substrate every 2 or 3 months. You order it direct from the manufacturer and postage is included in the price. It takes 2 to 4 days to arrive. I would then just switch all the bedding over. But hide a few treats around the cage afterwards to make up for the upheaval!

https://www.fitchrecycling.co.uk/ani...-delivery.html

Thank u for ur reply has been very helpful. Unfortunately I can’t get Fitch bedding where I live. They have just started selling carefresh at our local pet shop, would this be okay too? It’s quite pricey for the amount you get but I would be willing to get it to see if it would help.

Josiesloth · 04-09-2018, 03:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cypher

It does still sound as though he's mostly sneezing out of the cage which doesn't rule out an allergy to something but does make it seem unlikely that the wood shavings are the problem, it wouldn't hurt to switch to something like the Fitch Serendipity mentioned just to see if it helps, it's much nicer & economical so you don't have anything to lose there but it might be worth giving more thought to anything in the room that could be setting him off.

I will keep thinking about what it could be. It’s very strange though cause I really don’t know/have anything that seems to be something that would upset him. I do have two Russian dwarfs in the same room, I’m not sure if that could have anything to do with his sneezing? Thank you for the reply

cypher · 04-09-2018, 04:05 AM

It does seem a bit odd, I wouldn't have thought you're Russians would cause him to sneeze though.
If you can't order fitch can you order from Amazon? They now do Kaytree clean and cosy which is very similar to fitch, just smaller finer pieces really & that would be better than carefresh which can cause problems with some hams.

Teddy001 · 04-09-2018, 10:46 AM

Sneezing also can be signs of illness. I’d have an vet check, to rule that out.