Poll: do you use shavings?

Nicolapompicola · 01-09-2008, 03:46 PM

Just me being nosey really, but do you use shavings in your hamster cage? If you do, why.. and if you don't why not??

I hope the mods don't mind me asking this, but it fascinates me how other people keep their hamsters..

Oh, ETA: if you don't use shavings, what do you use and why?

**babyboos** · 01-09-2008, 04:09 PM

Good question and you would be amazed at the huge variety of suitable substrates out there used by our members. We use a mixture at Babyboos, including some kiln dried, dust extracted shavings. At the moment I have three different types of hypoallergenic (radiated, sterilised etc.) specialised substrate designed for small animals in research laboratories on test, and I always have some Megazorb in my enclosures.

souffle · 01-09-2008, 04:16 PM

We too use shavings and have done for 35 years with success and very long lived hammies with no allergy or skin problems. I know there can be problems with shavings in the USA and abroad but in the UK shavings prepared for the pet market are safe. We have tried carefresh, cat litter and megazorb none of which we prefered over shavings. I dont like the colour of carefresh or the hard lumps in some. Cat litter is similar (paper based) and can smell 'gluey'. Megazorb ,we think ,smells like sick. Having recently got a LH satin we have started using aubiose which is a hemp based straw bedding meant for horses and is great for not tangling in the fine coat. We like this very much and also keep the dwarfs on it. It is very economical.

Nicolapompicola · 01-09-2008, 04:41 PM

I suppose I should answer my own question really!

I don't use shavings, as I always seem to find them very dusty, and they make me sneeze and cough. I'm currently using megazorb, as I think it's nice and soft, and it also absorbs well, and is always warm. It also lasts for quite a while, as I currently have 5 hamsters. I'm lucky, I suppose, because I've never had a bag of it that smells bad.

Basia · 01-09-2008, 06:05 PM

Yes and No! :P
I have recently started using shavings for some of my hamsters, on top of a layer of Easibed and easibed on its own for LH males. I have had problems with shavings myself in the past, the horse bales used to make me wheeze but the shavings I have at the moment don't seem to.
I have tried so many things for my hamsters, paper cat litter, carefresh, aubiose and now easybed. The cost of the cat litter/carefresh is a bit steep now I have 11 hamsters. I like aubiose but can't always get it. Have been very happy with the easibed too. I have never tried megazorb because I am afraid knowing my luck I will get a smelly bag.

Faye · 01-10-2008, 02:15 AM

I use megazorb - I use it for my piggies, gerbils, rats and mice too...

Hanlou · 01-10-2008, 02:54 AM

I just don't like shavings, I used them years ago and found them always slightly dusty...... but then I have rats and they are very prone to respiratory illness, so anything that can minimise the risk of them getting ill is worth a try. I currently use Bedxcel (cardboard squares) for all my animals - I buy two bales for £26 including delivery so they work out quite cost effective.

Holly · 01-10-2008, 03:34 AM

I don't use shavings and have tried just about every substrate material out there. I'm currently using hemcore which I think is utterly fantastic and, unless I find something significantly better, I'm going to stick to it

**Spuds Mum** · 01-10-2008, 07:49 AM

I think there are people on here who are heartily sick of my search for the perfect bedding!
I do use shavings for the short haired with no problems but have also used
paper based cat litter (good and absorbent and keeps the cage smelling fresh longer)
wood chips (for the long hair - good at not getting caught in fur and the hams seem to like digging in them a lot, but not particularly absorbent - needing frequent toilet corner cleaning)
chinchilla sand (fantastically cool for the hams in the summer, no tangles for long hair - but makes the cage very heavy and I dont feel cosy for winter)
Aubiose - (after a long search we finally got some of this and I love it - soft, absorbent, nice smelling and the hams seem to like it too)

Spacemonkey · 01-10-2008, 08:41 AM

I've always used shavings for my Hamsters and Gerbils, 20+ years with no problems whatsoever. I'm all for freedom of choice, there's no definitive must use product, just go with whatever works for you and your animals.

I've seen so many people really attacked on forums for using shavings, I've nearly been 'burnt at the stake' for owning up to it once or twice, so silly really.