Not impressed with carefresh as substrate

Rads · 06-23-2016, 01:03 PM

Hi'yall

A little while back I changed Pip's wood chippings/sawdust substrate to Carefresh as she seemed to be getting a lot of itches from the wood.

What I have noticed is that Carefresh seems to leave a lot of dusty residue I noticed this when I gave Pips cage a decent clean out. I am not happy with this dust as it could cause respiratory problems..

I am wondering whether to change to a different product.

As usual ideas on a postcard...................................

Rsclio197 · 06-23-2016, 01:11 PM

I don't think it's too bad at all, there is dust present but just about every substrate has dust to a degree. I suppose it depends if Pip is under the carefresh burrowing a lot otherwise the dust shouldn't really affect her.

P.s I user carefresh but have gone back to wood shaving's as carefresh is a little on the pricey side.

I believe Aspen is widely considered the best all.round substrate in terms of smell, dust, absorbtion and price.

Xol · 06-23-2016, 01:23 PM

If you're looking for something similar and paper based like Carefresh then I think you'll find it difficult to find any commercial product without any dust residue, whether it is labelled dust extracted or not. It will be from your perception whether or not there is enough residue to cause fatal harm. I use the Carefresh natural myself and don't believe it presents any harm. Take precaution that there is enough ventilation within your hamsters cage as that will work against any residue you believe may be there.

Alternatively I'd recommend pet-safe sand (one that isn't too fine) as it's rather easy to regularly spot clean with a sieve. Or shredding your own plain paper (avoid any inks). It's also rather easy to create your own Carefresh-style bedding using toilet paper, water and patience (there are plenty of instructional videos and threads online)

pinkneon · 06-23-2016, 02:40 PM

I tend to find dust only when I do a clean too. I only don't like it because it is expensive! We are switching to something else but not sure what yet ...

AlfredHam · 06-23-2016, 02:44 PM

Fitch! Fitch Fitch Fitch!

I swapped a couple of weeks ago and love it, cheaper than carefresh, safer and softer than shavings and you get so much it's so economical. Alfie has shunned all the toilet paper that was in his nest in favour of a Fitch burrow so he obviously loves it too! The 10kg bale costs £16 with free next day delivery and isn't anywhere near as large as I thought it would be. We have really limited storage here (one cupboard) and I've managed to put it in there.

SKB_Hamsters · 06-23-2016, 03:19 PM

I had a similar problem when I used carefresh and the amount of dust in the cage when I did a clean. Also Sherbet started to dig in it which made her sneeze when she was on the carefresh - don't know if it was an allergy or just the dust which got up her nose. But I now use Fitch since September and I highly recommend trying it, it has hardly any dust, my current bag is a little dustier than my last, but no where as dusty as carefresh. I buy the 10kg bag and it last me for 5 to 6 months and Sherbet approves of it and she likes to pile it up in her cage and likes to use it in her house with her shredded up tissues and she doesn't sneeze after she has burrowed in it.

Pebbles82 · 06-23-2016, 06:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlfredHam

Fitch! Fitch Fitch Fitch!

I swapped a couple of weeks ago and love it, cheaper than carefresh, safer and softer than shavings and you get so much it's so economical. Alfie has shunned all the toilet paper that was in his nest in favour of a Fitch burrow so he obviously loves it too! The 10kg bale costs £16 with free next day delivery and isn't anywhere near as large as I thought it would be. We have really limited storage here (one cupboard) and I've managed to put it in there.

Ditto! Fitch is dust free - not a speck of it! I also found Carefresh dusty - it's very fine, kind of lighter than dust, but I wasn't keen either. It also works out way cheaper as you buy it in bulk. It's only available online, either direct from the manufacturers or from Amazon (it costs a pound or 3 more on Amazon).

I get the 10kg bag and it lasts months, with a 100cm cage. It's not too big to store indoors - ours is in the corner of the bedroom and I put a throw over it so it looks like a child size bean bag seat

It's recycled food grade paper.

Fitch Recycling - 10kg Single Bale Fitch Paper Bedding For Smaller Critters - Fitch Pet Bedding

EnerHam · 06-25-2016, 07:34 AM

I tried Carefresh a couple of years ago and hated it. Dusty, expensive, and on top of all of that the hams still seemed to hate it. Every time I cleaned my hamsters + gerbils out I got through an entire bag.

I'd recommend Fitch too. Cheaper, dust free and softer.

spacebyte · 06-25-2016, 10:04 AM

Fitch is good, we recently made the switch! I'm an asthmatic and I did notice I was wheezing a bit with cleanouts when she was using carefresh. Fitch? Not so much! I've only done one 'clean' (Switching the top 1/3rd) since we switched but I think that's a good measure of dustiness.

The bags are really good value for money and actually come with enough to fill the cage deep! Lunas cage smells less I would say, and the delivery was free and next day (Which I didn't expect and ended up opening the door in my pajamas!). It's soft and she really likes to burrow in it.

pinkneon · 06-25-2016, 11:16 AM

Does anyone have a picture of the 10kg bag?? I want to try Fitch but am not sure if I have the space ...