Help...Further Confusion Re Sand Bath/Potty

Jill Bayles · 01-31-2007, 05:45 AM

I've read all the old threads about these topics and have got myself rather confused. Are they separate areas or does a sand bath double up as the potty? In other words do I need two separate containers, one for sand and one for potty litter?

I haven't seen either yet but haven't really looked as I've been concentrating on the cage and accessories this week but need to get the cage fully prepared for our new Syrian.

Could I use used food containers and if so would old Lurpak tubs do for bath and/or potty? I know that jars work but I'm not sure whether that's for both.

Please put me out of my misery....

SnuggleHam · 01-31-2007, 05:56 AM

Potties and sand baths can be the same thing. Some pet stores will try and sell you potties that appear to come with a littler that resembles small white beads. (At least from what I've seen in the US) I think those potties are really silly. I wouldn't use them.

Sand baths are recommended particularly for dwarf hamsters because they have more scent glands then syrians and often become greasy looking. This greasy looking fur is the worst in robo hams. The sand takes some of the grease out of their fur. You make a sand bath by using a shallow dish or jar turned on its side (whatever creative thing you can come up with) and placing Chinchilla sand in it for them to roll around in. Make sure is always sand, and doesn't say powder or dust.

Now the hamsters can also be trained to use this as a potty. But more often then not they will use it as a bit of both lol. Its not really a necessary feature, But they seem to like it.

I have a sand bath for my syrian in a shallow dish. It use to be the bottom to a bird bath for my love bird when I had her. I leave it in her cage at all times and clean it when its looking packed down or dirty.

Jill Bayles · 01-31-2007, 06:45 AM

Thanks SnuggleHam that's a great help

racinghamster · 01-31-2007, 06:51 AM

Hi Jill. Poor you! You are running around like a headless chicken preparing for your new hamster!

I can`t comment on Syrians as I don`t have any, but yes, you can use a ceramic, metal or plastic dish/tub and put some chinchilla sand in there. I have three of those corner loos and my robos have one each and Scooby the winter white russian dwarf has one. The robos roll in it, poo in it and right now, Tiny has made a sleeping hut in there with his ripped up toilet tissue!

SnuggleHam · 01-31-2007, 06:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

The robos roll in it, poo in it and right now, Tiny has made a sleeping hut in there with his ripped up toilet tissue!

LOL, don't anyone bother to comprehend the mind or mannerisms of a hamster, its to mind boggling!

Hana · 01-31-2007, 10:39 AM

Snowy doesn't roll in his he just uses it as a potty were as Smokey apsolutly loves his and rolls around in it loads! They're all different!

souffle · 01-31-2007, 03:37 PM

I have to disagree with snuggleham on the potty one. We use the potties with the hoods for all our hammies but fill them with chinchilla sand. The bathe first then use as a potty. If you change them every couple of days they stay fresh. You do not need two. They dont bathe that much, just at first. They love them and they keep the sand in place. Nelson does tend to miss and stick his bottom over the back sometimes but thats men for you

SnuggleHam · 01-31-2007, 03:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by souffle

Nelson does tend to miss and stick his bottom over the back sometimes but thats men for you

LOL!!!!! I worked in a fast food restaurant once and it was always a disaster when it came to cleaning out the mens bathroom. I don't understand how they can miss? You'd swear if you saw it that all the men who used it were drunk.

As for the toilets, I don't think its as bad when you use the chinchilla sand, but the pottie mix I've seen them come with in the US is silly. Its just a money making gimmick I think. Because they want you to buy their refills.

souffle · 01-31-2007, 04:18 PM

We never buy the potty litter as we found that the babies try and eat the stuff

Thats babies for you

Babies and men how do we cope

Jill Bayles · 01-31-2007, 06:30 PM

I know what I'm doing now thanks. I did buy a potty today as I couldn't resist and I'll put some chinchilla SAND in it...when I find some! None to be had for love nor money round here and I didn't want to order just that online so will ring round all the local per stores/shops and won't stop til I find some. I know that I can use baked playsand if all else fails