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Old 01-31-2019, 03:20 PM   #1
SandyT
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Default Hemp Mats Danger?

My ham claws at the hemp mats in her cage until they're roughed up. She doesn't do it all of the time but I'm worried if it's a stress thing, especially as she sometimes does it when I'm talking to her. My other thought was, maybe she wants it for her nest. If she pouches it and accidentally swallows it, would it be the same as swallowing fluffy bedding and get stuck? I know it's natural but I can't imagine it breaks up in water.
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Old 01-31-2019, 05:56 PM   #2
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

It is supposed to be safe. However I think it depends on the quality of the hemp mat. I had some awful ones once (Kerbl I think) that just shed all over the place and weren't very solidly formed somehow. I get the Hugro ones from Zooplus now, They always end up shedding a bit eventually and then I replace that piece. I have had hamsters pull at them (ours did it to see what was behind it as it was against the bars providing shelter on his shelf).

It is possible your hammy is wanting it for nesting material - it's winter and I've noticed ours foraging more when out of the cage.

I would just keep an eye on it. Where is it? I have a piece on top of our hammy's house roof and a circle of it cut to line a sputnik. Our current hamster shows no interest in chewing it. Although when I took it off his house roof in summer, he piled bedding on top of the house instead! Don't think he liked the wood without a soft cover.

If your hammy is chewing it a lot it might be an idea to remove it - although it does say it's safe to chew. But just keep an eye on it. If it's getting a bit dog eared and shedding, then maybe replace it with a new bit - then see if she still tries to chew it.
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Old 01-31-2019, 11:16 PM   #3
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

I doubt very much they would eat it, I've had them pull bits off to put in the nest with no problem at all, they don't normally accidentally swallow something they pouched as it's in a kind of pocket separate from the mouth cavity & they have to get it out to swallow it.
If you're concerned & she keeps doing it then you might want to take it out, keep an eye on her & see how it goes.
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Old 02-07-2019, 09:20 AM   #4
SandyT
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

Sorry for late reply, been having some technical issues.
Thank you both for your answers. The hemp mat that is currently in there is the one from Zooplus, the Hugro one. The spare one I have is from Rodipet.
I'm not totally convinced that she is eating/pouching it afterall, I think she just likes pulling it. I don't know if it's fun, or a stress buster or if she thinks there is something more interesting underneath it. I have hemp mats on 2 shelves, 1 ledge and on top of the house.
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Old 02-07-2019, 02:39 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

Funnily enough I saw our hammy doing it the other night but he then just stuffed the bit he'd pulled off into the hole on top of his house (insulation?!)
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Old 02-08-2019, 12:28 AM   #6
cypher
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

I think it's probably just natural behaviour tbh, I doubt there's any danger & she might well be having fun!
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Old 02-13-2019, 05:41 PM   #7
SandyT
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

I've been watching her and I don't think she is eating it. There are some bits in her sleeping area too. It's not very nest like, I don't think. She too pulled some down the top hole on the house so it could well be insulation. In some places, she's really scruffed it up now but I'm leaving it as it is for now. Thanks for reassuring me again. 😃
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Old 02-13-2019, 06:45 PM   #8
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

I haven’t noticed any danger, when pulled apart they just go like hay really
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Old 02-16-2019, 08:04 AM   #9
SandyT
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Default Re: Hemp Mats Danger?

My concern was if it was ingested, would it essentially be like fluffy bedding. Thanks for your reply.
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