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Old 11-02-2018, 06:52 AM   #1
buttercuplols
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Default Best substrate

Hi everyone

Just wondering what are preferred substrates. I am in the UK so wondering what people are using and where they are getting it from?

Thanks a lot!

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Old 11-02-2018, 08:55 AM   #2
SKB_Hamsters
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Default Re: Best substrate

Definitely would recommend Fitch - it a paper based bedding which is virtually dust free plus very cost effective in price. I also like that I can buy it in big bags (I get 20kg - smaller sizes available) as it works out cheaper plus it delivered. Very popular bedding here on HC.
It can only be bought direct from Fitch themselves - this is their website https://www.fitchfirst.co.uk/fitch-p...s-gerbils.html
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Old 11-02-2018, 09:14 AM   #3
buttercuplols
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Default Re: Best substrate

Quote:
Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters View Post
Definitely would recommend Fitch - it a paper based bedding which is virtually dust free plus very cost effective in price. I also like that I can buy it in big bags (I get 20kg - smaller sizes available) as it works out cheaper plus it delivered. Very popular bedding here on HC.
It can only be bought direct from Fitch themselves - this is their website https://www.fitchfirst.co.uk/fitch-p...s-gerbils.html
Hi. Thanks for your help. How long does 20kg last you and how big is the bag dimensions wise. I have quite a small bedroom and a big ol' cage on the way so not sure where I'm going to store bedding etc yet! X
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Old 11-02-2018, 09:37 AM   #4
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Default Re: Best substrate

I use carefresh, which I love but the only downside is the cost. It is very costly, but I like it.
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Old 11-02-2018, 10:32 AM   #5
buttercuplols
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Default Re: Best substrate

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsterbasil View Post
I use carefresh, which I love but the only downside is the cost. It is very costly, but I like it.
Thanks for the advice. Where do you get it and how costly are we talking? I've seen a lot about Carefresh and was considering it as an option.
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Old 11-02-2018, 11:06 AM   #6
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Default Re: Best substrate

A 20kg bag of Fitch is approximately 65 x 45 x 35 cm (h x w x b). Some people do put a blanket over their bags and use them as bean bags although I put my bag in my spare room.
Depending upon the size of cage the bag can last up to 4-6 months - although this does depend upon how you clean your cage.

You can get the bags in 10kg, 15kg and 4kg bags.


I personally dislike carefresh found it extremely dusty plus very expensive. You can get it from P@H, and pet store.
Another bedding popular bedding in the US, is Kaytee clean and cosy which is now available in the UK can be bought of amazon or online from p@h. I would recommend this over carefresh.
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Old 11-02-2018, 12:53 PM   #7
buttercuplols
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Default Re: Best substrate

Quote:
Originally Posted by SKB_Hamsters View Post
A 20kg bag of Fitch is approximately 65 x 45 x 35 cm (h x w x b). Some people do put a blanket over their bags and use them as bean bags although I put my bag in my spare room.
Depending upon the size of cage the bag can last up to 4-6 months - although this does depend upon how you clean your cage.

You can get the bags in 10kg, 15kg and 4kg bags.


I personally dislike carefresh found it extremely dusty plus very expensive. You can get it from P@H, and pet store.
Another bedding popular bedding in the US, is Kaytee clean and cosy which is now available in the UK can be bought of amazon or online from p@h. I would recommend this over carefresh.
Thanks so much for your advice! That's not as big as I was expecting so I think I'll try Fitch and see how we get on with it. I also LOVE the bean bag idea! That would work well for my room I think!
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Old 01-16-2019, 05:52 AM   #8
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Default Re: Best substrate

Quote:
Originally Posted by hamsterbasil View Post
I use carefresh, which I love but the only downside is the cost. It is very costly, but I like it.
How much of the Carefresh bedding would I use in one go for a 100cm X 50cm base cage. I saw a 10L bag in Pets at home for £6.49. I would fill it a couple of inches away from the top.
I’m trying to work out the cost of keeping a hamster per week with food and bedding. Also, would you need a different sort of bedding in their sleeping area.

The lady in Pets at home wasn’t very useful and said I would just need a couple of inches of sawdust in the cage.

Edit - I’ve just read about this Kaytee Clean and Cozy Super Absorbent Paper Bedding, White, 49.2 Litre fr £16 from Amazon and it’s says 99.9% dust free for a cleaner cage, which is what I like the sound of.

Last edited by Pazzie; 01-16-2019 at 06:02 AM.
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Old 01-16-2019, 06:08 AM   #9
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Default Re: Best substrate

I think you'd probably need at least two bags & possibly three to properly fill the base of a 100x50cm cage Pazzle.
Ideally you would want to fill it to the top of the plastic if you can, I find I need at least that much depth for my dwarf hams for a Syrian it's only just enough really.
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Old 01-16-2019, 06:12 AM   #10
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Default Re: Best substrate

Pazzie I would definitely go for clean and cozy over carefresh, it’s much softer and carefresh can actually be quite dusty. Don’t know how long that would last you the 49L isn’t a huge amount.
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