Argh! Wood Shavings!

Fluffagrams · 05-27-2015, 01:06 PM

At the moment I'm looking after my sister's Russian Hybrid and she lives on shavings rather than the Carefresh that my two Chineseys currently live on and I'm certainly noticing a difference.

One of the main things I've noticed is how different and strong wood shavings smell since I stopped using them. I know the natural Carefresh has its own odour but I notice this smell as soon as I walk into the room. I'm wondering if I'm developing an allergy to it as I seem to have cold like symptoms when I'm at home but am fine when I'm at work.

The other thing I've noticed is how it gets everywhere. I only vacuumed this morning and already, after just one playtime, there seems to be bits of wood shavings all over the floor.

Snowz · 05-27-2015, 01:29 PM

Maybe it's because you haven't changed the bedding? I change my hamsters bedding 1 a week and I use wood shavings. I spot clean on a couple of days. Do you find it strong as in putting clean wood shavings in or just smelly old wood shavings? maybe just let the wood shavings air before you put them in.

How did you get it on the floor during play time? I only use toys not bedding.

Snowz · 05-27-2015, 01:31 PM

I don't use care fresh because when I first got my hamster Oreo I used carefresh confetti.
Oreo started sneezing every time she went near it. Either its just TOO dusty or shes allergic but it is quite dusty/cotton feeling.

SinNyx · 05-27-2015, 02:12 PM

I quite often get rescue hamsters in that are on shavings, if anything, and I can't use it! Needs to go straight into the bin because I just start sneezing and get a bit puffy eyed.

Fluffagrams · 05-27-2015, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowz

Maybe it's because you haven't changed the bedding? I change my hamsters bedding 1 a week and I use wood shavings. I spot clean on a couple of days. Do you find it strong as in putting clean wood shavings in or just smelly old wood shavings? maybe just let the wood shavings air before you put them in.

It was changed just before my sister brought Sooty to me which would only have been on Monday and it's only been since then I've had problems. I thought that I might have been getting sick but I was fine at work all day today and since I've been home it's come back.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowz

How did you get it on the floor during play time? I only use toys not bedding.

When I got her out, a few bits went on the floor. It seems to get stuck to everything and ends up being dragged all over the room.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowz

I don't use care fresh because when I first got my hamster Oreo I used carefresh confetti.
Oreo started sneezing every time she went near it.

I've heard that some hamsters haven't got on with it. My two don't seem to have any issues with it but I'm changing them over to Fitch because it works out to be a bit cheaper than Carefresh.

Quote:

Originally Posted by SinNyx

I quite often get rescue hamsters in that are on shavings, if anything, and I can't use it! Needs to go straight into the bin because I just start sneezing and get a bit puffy eyed.

My eyes have gone a bit puffy this evening so I've taken an anti-histamine. Sooty is only with us for two weeks but I'm probably going to have to put her on the Carefresh rather than the wood shavings that my sister has given me when I clean her out. Mind you if this carries on, I'll have to do it before she's due to be cleaned out.

racinghamster · 05-28-2015, 12:29 AM

It sounds as though you are reacting to something. Wood shavings can trigger reactions in some people, but Carefresh can also do the same to a hamster! So switching the substrate to Fitch would probably be a better choice than Carefresh. Fitch is lovely and your sister`s hamster shouldn`t have any issues with it.

What brand of shavings are they, do you know? The best brand is Snowflake. x

Fluffagrams · 05-28-2015, 02:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

It sounds as though you are reacting to something. Wood shavings can trigger reactions in some people, but Carefresh can also do the same to a hamster! So switching the substrate to Fitch would probably be a better choice than Carefresh. Fitch is lovely and your sister`s hamster shouldn`t have any issues with it.

Meat had issues with wood shavings which is why I'd stopped using it and he seemed to improve on Carefresh but I'm hoping that he'll be even happier on Fitch. I've ordered the Fitch so I'm just waiting for it to arrive.

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

What brand of shavings are they, do you know? The best brand is Snowflake. x

I'm not sure but I don't think it's Snowflake. It might be Wilko's own brand as I know my sister has bought some hamster stuff from there in the past.

racinghamster · 05-28-2015, 02:55 AM

If you don`t have the bag to see the brand you would have to ask your sister. But Fitch should ease any issues you are having. x

Fluffagrams · 05-28-2015, 04:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by racinghamster

If you don`t have the bag to see the brand you would have to ask your sister. But Fitch should ease any issues you are having. x

Do you know roughly how long it takes for the Fitch to arrive after you've ordered it?

Snowz · 05-28-2015, 04:14 AM

I have had no problems with wood shavings. Where did you get yours? I use the Pets at Home one.