Silly question about wood shavings

sarah · 10-17-2005, 04:15 PM

Hi, I keep seeing posts mentioning 'carefresh' I just wondered what the difference between that and ordinary bog standard wood shavings is.

Emma · 10-18-2005, 05:42 AM

Carefresh is a recycled paper product made by Supreme

http://www.russelrabbit.com/science_carefresh.php

It has a lot of fans, especially people who dislike wood shavings for whatever reason. I sometimes use it, often mixed with Bob Martins 100% Paper cat litter which is similar but smaller grains. The main downside of Carefresh is that it's fairly expensive (usually £3-4 for 10L), and though it claims 'dust-free' some people complain that it is still dusty.

Nienna Valar · 10-18-2005, 08:54 AM

I used to have pine shavings in my hamster's habitat when I first started getting hammies, but a small animal vet I was talking to said the pine shavings and cedar shavings are bad for your hamster because the fumes from the pine/cedar smell could irritate their lungs and that carefresh was a better bedding for them because it is a recycled paper product. In regards to dust, I've never personally experienced any dust but I know with the pine shavings, there was a lot of dust to deal with. Hope that helps!

sarah · 10-18-2005, 01:48 PM

thanks for the info and the link Emma. So you use it to cover the cage floor as you would wood shavings?

I would be interested in trying it- is it easy to get hold of?

Also - it mentions that it stays fresher for longer so you don't have to clean out as often - saving you money

Does this mean you could clean your hammy out every 2 weeks instead of every week?

I don't think i'd be happy leaving it that long

Nienna Valar · 10-18-2005, 02:22 PM

You should be able to get Carefresh at most pet stores. I know for sure you can get it at Petmsmart, Petco, and Scamps (though I'm not a fan of Scamps personally but if it's the closest for you then why not I guess, right?) It says that it lasts 2 times longer but I would not go 2 weeks before cleaning out your hamster's cage. However, it says it does absorb three times its weight in liquids and is less dusty than pine/cedar shavings. It's also softer I noticed than the pine shavings I used to get. You just cover the floor area with it for your desired thickness. Hope that helps! Have a good one!

sarah · 10-18-2005, 02:27 PM

Thanks Nienna,

I'll have a look out for it at the dreaded Pets at Home

I don't like to shop there but it's the only big petstore I know around Edinburgh

Nienna Valar · 10-18-2005, 02:47 PM

I'm sorry that place is your closest location. Good luck getting your carefresh! Have a good day!

Emma · 10-19-2005, 06:21 AM

It's also available from many online pet shops, usually cheaper although of course you then have to pay delivery and be in to receive large parcels - the reason I don't get in online!

Most pet shops stock it now, P@H certainly do - I don't like them either but they're not going to go away, so I think campaigning for change is the way forward - they have come on hugely even in just the last year, not so much for hamsters but for other animals. If more people buy carefresh from them maybe they'll make their own (cheaper!) version.