Accidentally used softwood shavings :(

[livedinhogwarts]

I bought new bedding for my hammy to use about 4 days ago and he's been using it since. The packaging says safe for hamsters and other small animals, however just today I found out that softwood shavings are harmful to hamsters and can cause respiration problems etc.

This is the bedding I used:
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/asda-...vings_1Kg.html

As soon as I found out, I cleaned his cage with vinegar-water solution and filled it with shredded toilet tissue (as I know that's safe to use). Now I'm worried that the bedding caused my hammy health problems. Is it possible that he could get any health issues in 4 days of using it? Is it urgent enough that I should call a vet? I'm thinking of calling a vet for advice, but I'm hoping he didn't actually get any reactions to the bedding. I did mix the new bedding with a safe old bedding of his so it was a bit spread out, so it's possible there was less of an effect on him. However, my sister said she heard him breathing rather heavily today just minutes before I changed the bedding.

Any advice is much appreciated as I'm quite worried about this.

[cypher]

I'm sure it will be fine, the shavings are most probably pine which, in the UK, has to be kiln dried & is safe to use so no need to worry.

[livedinhogwarts]

@cypher

I hope that's the case. Thanks for the reassurance ^_^

[SKB_Hamsters]

In the UK softwood shaving have to be kiln dried and dust extracted by law this makes them safe to use. I have used softwood shavings in the past without any issues. If you are still concerned about your hamster health then paper based bedding is the safest option (i.e. Fitch).

[livedinhogwarts]

@SKB_Hamsters

Ahh I see. I was unaware of this so I was really concerned. Thanks for the advice ^_^ I think I will buy aspen or paper based bedding from now on.