What substrate is everyone using?

[freyashamsters]

As I'm currently on the hunt for a substrate, I was interested to see what substrate is preferred by everyone on here!

[cypher]

I use fitch & hemp together, while I like them both used alone I do find that combined they hold burrows really well for those busy dwarf hams!

[freyashamsters]

Might have to try that combination with my Robos then, they do love to burrow

[Serendipity7000]

I use Fitch but at the moment I have it mixed in with Oxbow Pure Comfort bedding (which is paper as well and very similar but a very slight amount of dust). The Oxbow one is normally only sold in the USA but I got it from rat rations.

[SKB_Hamsters]

I use either use just Fitch in Sherbet's cage or other times I do a mix of Fitch, aspen and back 2 nature pellets. I find the aspen and back 2 nature are really good in Sherbet toilet as they both help with odour control a lot better than Fitch.

[freyashamsters]

Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters

I use either use just Fitch in Sherbet's cage or other times I do a mix of Fitch, aspen and back 2 nature pellets. I find the aspen and back 2 nature are really good in Sherbet toilet as they both help with odour control a lot better than Fitch.

Good idea! I'm apprehensive about Fitch having tried it and Willow smelt awful (whereas she didn't with hemp but that had spiky buts in it so I had to switch) but if I mixed it in with some paper cat litter the odor control may be increased

[SKB_Hamsters]

Originally Posted by freyashamsters

Good idea! I'm apprehensive about Fitch having tried it and Willow smelt awful (whereas she didn't with hemp but that had spiky buts in it so I had to switch) but if I mixed it in with some paper cat litter the odor control may be increased

I found back 2 nature pellets work really well with odour control. I normally find where she is peeing a add a handful to that area and it seems to work. I understand your problem with Fitch when they pee on it does start to smell bad.

[freyashamsters]

Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters

I found back 2 nature pellets work really well with odour control. I normally find where she is peeing a add a handful to that area and it seems to work. I understand your problem with Fitch when they pee on it does start to smell bad.

So if I bought a bag of Back 2 Nature pellets and pit some in the side of the cage where she owes, would that work? I don't really want to stop using Fitch as I really love the texture and price

[SKB_Hamsters]

I find it works myself and have been using them for over 4 years, As my Cookie pee used to smell really bad, I used to use p@h wood pellets but back 2 nature worked out cheaper so tried them and I prefer them. I find it help to reduce the smell but there is still a slight smell and I find they absorb pee well but still need cleaning frequently. You could try them as see if they help. You could try a 10l bag which cost £6.50 at p@h (I normally get the 30l bag).

[cypher]

If you do get some hemp to try for the robo girls you could try that with Willow too as it's very absorbent & I've never had a problem with pee smells, it can actually be quite hard to know where they go!