Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Housing

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 11-19-2018, 12:02 PM   #1
Bella_01
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 31
Question Some Questions!

Hello,
Yesterday I got an Ikea Detolf and lots of other toys and things from Gumtree. I was told their previous hamster had kidney failure, I don't think this would affect anything I was given but I just wanted to make sure? (I have thrown away the wooden toys)
My sister will be getting a hamster soon so I wanted to know how people disinfect their Detolfs for a new hamster? What kind of disinfectants are recommended? Cypher told me about Safe4 which I will buy, however Johnsons Small Animal disinfectant came with the cage and it hasn't been used so I thought it would be a shame not to use it. Although, I don't want to use it if it is going to affect Bella and my sisters' future hamster. I would also use this disinfectant for the plastic toys I was given like houses, wheels, flying saucers and a pet carrier. Do you use warm water and put disinfectant in it then let the toys soak? I'm not really sure what to do at the moment.
I was also given a water bottle which doesn't look like it has been used and the wire is still inside the bottle, I wondered if this is OK to use or not? (I can buy another water bottle if it is not suitable to use)
It also came with 4 boxes of Clean 'N' Tidy Hamster Potty Litter. I wasn't sure if I should use this as I have heard mixed reviews about different types of litter. As I said before, it would be a shame to throw it all away but I would like to do the best for my hamsters.
Finally, I would just like to ask about where people adopt their hamsters from? I got Bella from someone who didn't want her anymore. I want to use buying from Pets at Home as a last resort. I have seen Support for Adoption in the Pets at Home stores, so I was thinking of that as an option.

Thank you
Bella_01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2018, 01:15 PM   #2
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Some Questions!

That disinfectant should be ok, just rinse everything really well after use. Is it a spray? most are sprays you use as they are without diluting in water.
I'm not sure about that litter but I think it may not be entirely safe to use, it's best to stick with either chinchilla sand in the litter tray or just normal substrate.
If the bottle still has the wire in & hasn't been used then that should be fine.
Lots of people adopt from P@H, some of the hams there will have been returned for some reason or brought in by people who can't care for them but many are the last of the litters that are moved on to adoption ready for new hams coming in or may have been separated due to fighting but whatever the reason or their origin they all need good homes so I don't see any reason not to adopt from there & have myself in the past.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2018, 02:48 PM   #3
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Some Questions!

I've used the Johnsons one - it's fine Is it this one?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Johnsons-Cl...ctant+hamsters

It has quite a nice faint scent to it so it's important to rinse it off and/or let it air well afterwards as hamsters are sensitive to strong scents. You just spray it on and wipe. Same with the toys just spray it on and wipe.

Yes I would disinfect everything as you're not sure what caused the kidney disease or if there was any infection. So use it on the whole of the inside of the detolf, including the wood end panels. Then you'll be fine.

I have used potty litter in the past. Make sure its the one for Hamsters - cat litter shouldn't be used - that can kill them.

The only real risk with the potty litter is if they eat it. Our last syrian tried to eat a bit when I first had him but spat it out again so didn't try again. I don't think they do tend to eat it. It works well but I found it worked out expensive and chinchilla bathing sand seemed safer/better in the long run. If you have four boxes you might as well use it in the litter tray and just keep an eye on her the first time to check she isn't eating it. It soaks up the pee well but so does the chinchilla bathing sand. For the future the sand lasts longer and works out cheaper.

If you're not sure about the bottle pour boiling water in/over it and all the parts to make sure it's safe (carefully!)

Adopting hamsters - there are a number of rodent rescues throughout the country who have hamsters for adoption. Some branches of the RSPCA have hamsters for adoption. You also often find people advertising unwanted hamsters on Gumtree and Pets4Homes websites.

This site lists all the small animal rescues (and indicates which ones have hamsters). You just click on your region on the left.

SmallPetsMatter.co.uk - Rodent rescues in the South East of England
Pebbles82 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2018, 03:20 PM   #4
Bella_01
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Oct 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 31
Default Re: Some Questions!

Thank you cypher and Serendipity!
Yes, that is the spray I have got. I will wipe everything round then rinse with water afterwards.
I do already use Tiny Friends Farm Bathing Sand as her potty, but I will try her with some of the litter as well, but if she takes interest in trying to eat it I will remove it. However I will still continue to use the sand in the long run as it is easy to sieve out and reuse.
The potty litter says it is for small animals and is 100% natural. It also has a picture of a hamster on the front of the box.https://www.amazon.co.uk/Clean-Tidy-...r+potty+litter
Thank you I will also pour some boiling water over the water bottle, although I think I will buy another one for the new hamster and use this one as a spare if needed.
The website looks very good and I will look on the RSPCA and adverts too.
Thank you for your help
Bella_01 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-19-2018, 11:12 PM   #5
cypher
Dwarf whisperer
 
cypher's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Wales UK
Posts: 24,789
Default Re: Some Questions!

Even some litter sold for hamsters isn't safe, if it's 100% paper it should be fine but some aren't & if they ingest it can cause blockages so best to err on the safe side if you're not sure.
__________________
Slave to Zak.
Always loved, never forgotten, forever in my heart
T'ycor, Ziggy, Zephyr, Flynt, Mickle, Little Whisp, Zen, Zeki, Tinwë, Zylvan, Míriel, Calyanwë, Gusto & Meri
❤️
cypher is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
hamster, toys, bottle, disinfectant, water, told, shame, buy, hamsters, pets, home, litter, bella, affect, wanted, people, wire, potty, questions, types, reviews, mixed, heard, tidy, suitable

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 04:51 AM.