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Old 07-02-2019, 02:15 PM   #1
Letty
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Default Sand bath alternative

So I decided to try my Syrian hamster with sand recently. She enjoyed digging it, but unfortunately started scratching like mad after a few days so I had to remove it! Sand is now out of the question, but she enjoys a bit of variety so can anybody suggest something else? Just something to stick in a container in her cage that she can have a good time digging about in? Thanks
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Old 07-02-2019, 03:51 PM   #2
imawizard
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

What about soil, just make sure it doesn’t contain any fertilisers, chemicals or pesticides. Or you could try other types of substrate like aspen? Also maybe try a different brand of sand and see if that helps
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Old 07-03-2019, 12:50 AM   #3
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

The type of sand may have had something to do with this. What brand were you using?

I use coco-fibre substrate in a dig box which might be what you're looking for but it doesn't replace a sand bath, really. You find it in block form in the reptile section usually. Pets @ Home have an online only/ web exclusive one that's fairly cheap.
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Old 07-03-2019, 04:19 AM   #4
Letty
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

The soil seems like a good idea! Maybe only as an occasional thing tho as I can see it getting very messy haha!

I will defo check out the coco fibre too! She had the tiny friends farm sand, it just seemed to really dry out her skin and fur so I’m reluctant to try sand again and risk damaging her skin
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Old 07-03-2019, 05:08 AM   #5
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

The tiny farms sand used to be recommended but recently there have been some concerns about it having changed formula. The calcium content I think changed and it became finer and more dusty? So I can easily see that causing problems.

Children's play sand is safe as houses. Inert sand (not calcium based) shouldn't be a skin irritant at all. It should help the condition of their fur. The two products are different enough that I'd say it might be worth giving that a go.
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Old 07-03-2019, 11:22 AM   #6
Schwartzie
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shannonmcn View Post
The type of sand may have had something to do with this. What brand were you using?

I use coco-fibre substrate in a dig box which might be what you're looking for but it doesn't replace a sand bath, really. You find it in block form in the reptile section usually. Pets @ Home have an online only/ web exclusive one that's fairly cheap.
Hi Shannon☺️☺️

Have added coco fibre to my next shopping list. Do your hamsters enjoy it? I take it you have it in a section of the cage? Do you mix it or just have it on its own in the digging box? Do you soak it? I saw it also on Erins Animals and liked it.
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Old 07-03-2019, 05:28 PM   #7
Letty
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

Quote:
Originally Posted by Shannonmcn View Post
The tiny farms sand used to be recommended but recently there have been some concerns about it having changed formula. The calcium content I think changed and it became finer and more dusty? So I can easily see that causing problems.

Children's play sand is safe as houses. Inert sand (not calcium based) shouldn't be a skin irritant at all. It should help the condition of their fur. The two products are different enough that I'd say it might be worth giving that a go.
Ah, I’d heard good things about the tiny friends sand! I will defo give the coconut substrate and play sand a go, thank you for the advice!
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Old 07-04-2019, 03:44 AM   #8
alpacassei
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

I use Childrens play sand from Argos which is much higher quality than TFF sand is now. It does need drying out before using but thst can easily be done in the oven or by letting it air dry on a windowsill. Most people prefer to oven dry it to kill bacteria but most play sand,at least in the UK, is already cleaned since its for small children.

I also use Eco Earth coconut fibre in my cages. I buy the blocks which can either be seperated by hand or (easier) soaked in water until they fall apart then laid out to dry.
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Old 07-04-2019, 06:36 AM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

I just bought a small £1.49 earth block mainly used for spiders from the reptile section. Henry has a sand bath but i want to add a flower pot with compost to his cage. I just mixed half the block with a little warm water and put it out in the sun to dry. I also crumble it up and mix by hand. These blocks expand a lot when mixed with water so depending on size of your container, a quarter of a normal sized brick is probably plenty. I love the smell and it may keep Henry out of my plant pots.
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Old 07-05-2019, 06:43 AM   #10
Shannonmcn
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Default Re: Sand bath alternative

Quote:
Originally Posted by Schwartzie View Post
Hi Shannon☺️☺️

Have added coco fibre to my next shopping list. Do your hamsters enjoy it? I take it you have it in a section of the cage? Do you mix it or just have it on its own in the digging box? Do you soak it? I saw it also on Erins Animals and liked it.
I have it just in a dig box for Jin. She went nuts digging in it for a day or so but now mostly just uses it as a bin for her peanut shells. Going to try Goose with it this weekend maybe so perhaps he'll take to it more!

I wet the block in shallow water and worked at it until it all broke up. If you use the amount of water it tells you to on the bag it'll take a month to dry naturally. Then it went in an old cage pan and left to sit in a sunny spot, I mixed it up occasionally over a few days and gave it to her very slightly damp.
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