Is this bedding good/okay to use?

WinnieTheHam · 05-12-2016, 09:25 AM

I've been searching for a while now for a bedding that isn't dusty, and it seems to be recycled cardboard beddings to be the least. I've come across two different types, I'm just wondering has anyone used these before? and are they safe?

This is meant as a horse bedding, but I'm not entirely sure it'd be safe for hamsters - Zexum Clean Recycled Cardboard Shavings For Horse Bedding Packing | Free Delivery | Indoor Outdoor Electrical Security Heating Lighting Ventilation Cable | ElectricalEurope.com

This looks good, I'm just wondering if anyone has ever used it so I can have a second opinion before I buy - https://fetch.co.uk/pillow-wad-large...dl4aAgUS8P8HAQ

**zak** · 05-12-2016, 11:22 AM

I would say they're okay to use. No harm in trying

sully · 05-12-2016, 12:28 PM

I have used Carefresh in the past. I use Fitch now and I also use Aubiose. All are great for hammies.

WinnieTheHam · 05-12-2016, 12:30 PM

Thanks for the suggestions but I'm not keen on them, haha. I want a bedding that is soft, absorbing, doesn't get smelly quick (like fitch), holds burrows and is dust free! There's Boxo but It's not available in the UK at decent prices (£60 for 51 liter).

freyashamsters · 05-12-2016, 12:48 PM

I'd say they're okay to use, they say they are dust free and hey are cardboard so you should be fine

I'm using CareFresh Ultra at the moment (waiting for Fitch to arrive hehe

) and I haven't smelt anything yet

flowerfairy · 05-12-2016, 01:04 PM

I use finacard and fitch mixed together. Fina card is just teeny bits of cardboard and not dusty at all.

Pebbles82 · 05-12-2016, 03:31 PM

They both look a bit like Finacard. I guess you could try some. I wouldn't say cardboard bedding was particularly soft though, after getting some Finacard recently - or any more absorbent smellwise than paper bedding.

A mix of three beddings might be good - that's supposed to help hold tunnels and would give you more absorbency for smells than just using a paper one on its own say. Aspen, finacard and Fitch could be a good mix. Or Finacard and Hemp?

WinnieTheHam · 05-13-2016, 01:57 AM

Hmm, yeah I was thinking of mixing beddings. I find aubiose to be quite sharp and hard (we use it at college for the reptiles), Boxo is recycled cardboard but it's sort of like shavings and it looks super soft because it's thin, I just wish it was available here! Been trying to search for a similar product. If megazorb wasn't dusty I'd still use it. Winston built a burrow in it once, it was amazing. I use snowflake kiln dried shavings at the moment, there is a bit of dust but it's not bad. I get 4 large bags for £7, I use 3 bags to fill all of my cages so I'm trying to find something cost effective as well as good to use.

I've also been looking for recycled shredded paper but I can't find any, could I use hay as a substrate? I've seen people use it before but I've heard not to use sharp bits, so I'll have a look for hay mainly made from the leafy grass and not stalky. Do you think shavings, finacard and hay would work?

cypher · 05-13-2016, 03:01 AM

All hay has sharp bits that need to be picked out, it really needs freezing in case of mites too.
I've never used aubiose but I have found some hemp is softer than others, I find Hugro (from zooplus) the best, not the cheapest but still not too expensive, I use it in combination with fitch & find the dust minimal & it holds burrows pretty well, Chinese burrows anyway!
Between the two odour control is so good I can't even figure out where mine pee half the time.

Pebbles82 · 05-13-2016, 05:11 AM

Rat Rations sell the Oxbow paper bedding. I bought some recently when I ran out of Fitch but haven't tried it yet - it's in the freezer

It looks very much like Fitch only brown to me.

Have a look on rat rations - there are a number of recycled paper beddings there. It's the Oxbow Pure Comfort bedding I got. To be honest I would think most paper and cardboard beddings are much the same really. The only really soft one I found was the Supreme Cosi n Dri and they don't make that any more. That was wood pulp but not dusty - personally I think paper beddings go through less checmical processes than cellulose or wood pulp. I wasn't keen on hemp either but mainly because I was allergic to it. I did get a bag of pro rep aspen to try - didn't use it because I thought paper was softer, but again when I ran out recently I had to use it and found it felt softer when in the cage and all piled up. I think some of that mixed with a paper and cardboard bedding might be nice. But if you're wanting something soft then Carefresh I guess, although I found that a bit dusty. Hay can be quite rough and spiky.

Bedding and Substrate : ratRations.com