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Old 01-16-2019, 07:10 AM   #11
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Best substrate

I'd go for the Fitch I get the 10kg bags which aren't too huge and to set up a new 100cm cage you'd use about 1/4 to 1/3 of the bag (and then it would be smaller). After that though, the bag lasts me a good six months or more, because with more substrate in the cage to start with, you just need to spot clean/empty the litter tray and don't need to change all the substrate for a couple of months or more (and even then only need to replace about half of it).

The Fitch comes in an oversized plastic bag - so it can be squished into various shapes - to fit under a chair or between a wardrobe and wall eg

It works out a lot cheaper than all the others really.
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Old 01-16-2019, 08:47 AM   #12
Pazzie
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Default Re: Best substrate

Does Fitch cause dust.
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Old 01-16-2019, 08:56 AM   #13
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Default Re: Best substrate

Fitch is the least dusty substrate I've ever used, very little if any.
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Old 01-16-2019, 12:02 PM   #14
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Best substrate

I've always found it absolutely dust-free - unlike Carefresh which I found very dusty (fine dust).
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Old 01-16-2019, 07:16 PM   #15
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Default Re: Best substrate

I use Kaytee Clean and cozy for Ghosts cage he loves it, I usually get it from Amazon when it is on special offer I often double up on the order, the great thing is you don't need to strip out the cage that often, spot cleaning is normally quite sufficient. It is dust free aswell, I tried Carefresh but found the dust levels made Ghost sneeze like a mad thing.
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Old 01-17-2019, 02:40 AM   #16
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Default Re: Best substrate

Hi everyone. This is all good info. I got Fitch in the end just before it went out of stock. I went for 10kg but wish I'd got 20 now! I put about half in but topped it up as Hesper really likes burrowing. That sounds a lot from what some of you have said so I'm wondering whether to go through and fluff it up some more. Do you guys do this?

She's been in there for 5 weeks now and so far I've just picked out poo. Aside from the first week where she peed in her wheel and then her bed she doesn't seem to have a visible spot. She has a potty but she doesn't use it and I'm a bit unsure on what to do now. I feel like I'm leaving her in her own wee but it doesn't smell anywhere in there and I think I'm being paranoid because comparitively to when I last had a hamster as a kid it was all 'sawdust and weekly clean' advice which we now know is wrong and I feel like I'm being lazy not doing more.

Hesper drinks every day but I can't find a wee spot. Is this normal? She's so small and the bedding is so absorbent I'm sure it's me being silly but just need a little more advice and reassurance please!

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Old 01-17-2019, 03:07 AM   #17
cypher
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Default Re: Best substrate

I wouldn't worry about fluffing up your fitch, she'll do that herself as she digs & burrows, I find if you put it in too loosely or fluffed up it compacts down fairly quickly & you end up having to add more.

I wouldn't worry about finding pee, when they're so tiny it can be hard to find but if she does have a spot & they usually do you'll find it if it does need cleaning.
She may be peeing in her sand, they often do & it does clump up when damp but then if they dig in it before you see it it will just get mixed in but as long as nothing is smelling I'm sure she's fine & nothing much will be building up anywhere.
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:14 AM   #18
Pazzie
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Default Re: Best substrate

Where are you guys getting this Fitch bedding from in that big quantity that is out of stock. I’ve tried googling it but can’t find it.
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:22 AM   #19
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Default Re: Best substrate

I usually use Megazorb in most of my cages and have found it to be pretty soft, holds up to tunnels well and I can usually go a lot longer on clean outs than I used to be able to go on more paper based substrates. Some people have found it to be dusty but in all the time I've been using it I've only ever had one bag that was a little dusty and I had the same when I used to use Fitch anyway. I don't use Fitch any more due to a number of issues that mainly concern price, quality and availability.

I use wood shavings in my diabetics cages as they need clean outs every couple of days and have found a supplier of decent quality shavings at a really good price. I also keep a supply of Kaytee Clean and Cozy for use in hospital, maternity and nursery cages and it's a nice substrate. It's one I'd recommend as an alternative to Fitch if ever you couldn't get hold of it.
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Old 01-17-2019, 06:34 AM   #20
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Default Re: Best substrate

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pazzie View Post
Where are you guys getting this Fitch bedding from in that big quantity that is out of stock. I’ve tried googling it but can’t find it.
You get it here https://www.fitchfirst.co.uk/fitch-p...r/bedding.html but it is still out of stock.
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