Opinions on "NATURAL" setups

[HolleyAkers]

Originally Posted by Ria P

EmmaAndChester, those set ups are absolutely amazing!

I bought snuggle moss from Rodipet which is dry and meant for rodents, put some into my Syrian's coconut hut...and he chucked it all out again! I'm pretty sure that its safe to use though.

I got some eco earth, soaked it, crumbled it then dried it which took ages as its very damp and retaining moisture to be used in reptile tanks, put some in his cage...one sniff and then he ignored it. I wouldn't recommend it either because it gets so very dry because its not meant to be dried.

Also, in the detolf photo there are succulents which i don't think are suitable because hamsters eat plants and don't know a house plant from an edible herb.

Two of my three hamsters live in fairly natural habitats and they are very easy to set up as long as people set them up from a hamster's point of view. There are lots of suitable and safe things available, some already mentioned. Long, bendy ladders are very versitile and bendy bridges, coconuts, the Ferplast guinea pig houses with or without the front panel make very good and inexpensive supports for heavy items, wicker tunnels and baskets, terracotta, pebbles, ceramics, seagrass and the list goes on.

Thanks for the response!

I use coco fiber in our reptile tanks all the time and it holds moisture wonderfully for them, but I agree that it would be too dusty for a hamster.

I'm going to look into the moss you've tried. It's absolutely hilarious that he just chucked it out!!

I was wondering about live plants, I'm going to look for a list of safe and not safe live plants, hopefully I'll find a couple.

[HolleyAkers]

Originally Posted by stan

EmmaAndChester, I love those set-ups.

I have natural set-ups for my two. I think they offer a win-win situation for owner and hamster. The set-ups look beautiful as a centrepiece in the room, so 'going bigger' with the enclosure is easier. Therefore the hamster gets a bigger, well enriched, home. You get to look at look a little piece of nature in the living room.

There are meant to be some plants that are hamster safe https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xI6igchDljU but I prefer not to keep any in my enclosures.

I've tried coconut fibre, and I too thought it was dusty. My Syrian had it for a month over summer. He seemed to like it. I think it was quite cooling when it was hot, as it always felt a bit colder when I put my hand in it. I wasn't too sure of the safety so I removed it.

Mine both have Rodipet snuggle moss. It only assists with humid environments if you wet it. It's very dry in the cage, and I use it to block up any gaps on bendy bridges, and stick it into some gaps in the cork logs. Neither of my hamsters care much for eating it, or pouching it for anything.

I always have a lot millet / flax / oat sprays about. It keeps my hamsters busy, and I can watch them doing their hamster thing.

I use some non-natural bits too. My Syrian has a rat hammock, made of material, which he likes to sit in. He's not much of a chewer, so it's not a problem. My Dwarf currently has a plastic wheel. Wood ones do look nicer, and are safer if your hammy likes to chew, but they can also get disgusting quickly if you have a hammy that likes to pee and run.

Thanks you for the reply!

I love the idea of using the rodipet moss to close up gaps and such, great idea! Where do you find your sprays? I'm now on the hunt since so many have reccomended it.

I completely agree on the wooden wheels. My syrian keeps everything clean and tidy, she even has one pee corner (though she won't use a litter box) and her wheel is always spotless. The robo on the other hand, yikes! his wheel is always so messy, he could never have a wooden wheel lol.

[HolleyAkers]

Thank you for all of the responses!!

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by HolleyAkers

Thanks you for the reply!

I love the idea of using the rodipet moss to close up gaps and such, great idea! Where do you find your sprays? I'm now on the hunt since so many have reccomended it.

I completely agree on the wooden wheels. My syrian keeps everything clean and tidy, she even has one pee corner (though she won't use a litter box) and her wheel is always spotless. The robo on the other hand, yikes! his wheel is always so messy, he could never have a wooden wheel lol.

Rodipet does a good variety of sprays.

Like you i have a very tidy Syrian and very messy dwarves but all three have plastic wheels. They are simply more hygienic.

[EmmaAndChester]

I use pillow moss & sphagnum. Yes, there is a downside to use sphagnum - it takes years to grow back (20+) and when harboured, the bogs release harmful CO^2 back into the atmosphere. But, it is also grown outside of boglands now. It's not always easy to find where your moss has been sourced, so thats just something you'll have to make a decision on for yourself; i've found it works best for my Leopard Gecko, so thats why I have it on hand. Just make sure that whatever moss you choose is 100% natural - unfortunately, it is not uncommon for companies to dye them green.

I buy all my plant sprays (with the exception of flax) from Amazon; i've found them to have the best variety and the best prices.Shipping is expensive (its like €13), but for me at least, Rodipet is €10 shipping - and they have insanely overpriced food & sprays. So I recommend checking out Amazon. I also buy my flax in bulk from Mixerama (and they have other sprays too!).

Also just wanted to mention that cork flats & rounds make awesome barriers too - and safer than bendy bridges!

[HolleyAkers]

Originally Posted by EmmaAndChester

I use pillow moss & sphagnum. Yes, there is a downside to use sphagnum - it takes years to grow back (20+) and when harboured, the bogs release harmful CO^2 back into the atmosphere. But, it is also grown outside of boglands now. It's not always easy to find where your moss has been sourced, so thats just something you'll have to make a decision on for yourself; i've found it works best for my Leopard Gecko, so thats why I have it on hand. Just make sure that whatever moss you choose is 100% natural - unfortunately, it is not uncommon for companies to dye them green.

I buy all my plant sprays (with the exception of flax) from Amazon; i've found them to have the best variety and the best prices.Shipping is expensive (its like €13), but for me at least, Rodipet is €10 shipping - and they have insanely overpriced food & sprays. So I recommend checking out Amazon. I also buy my flax in bulk from Mixerama (and they have other sprays too!).

Also just wanted to mention that cork flats & rounds make awesome barriers too - and safer than bendy bridges!

Perfect! Thanks.