What bedding for what purpose?

NibblesTheHam · 11-05-2020, 06:45 AM

Hi!
My syrian hamster has access to three different types of bedding, and I'm wondering if any of the three types are better for one purpose. The types of bedding I have are, fresh 4 life aspen shavings, carefresh white paper-based bedding, (I'd like to use this less than the other two, because it's more expensive,) and shredded toilet paper. If Nibbles ever sees the toilet paper in his cage, he will carry it off to his nest. Could you just tell me what to use for burrowing, what to use as a main bedding, etc.? Here are links to each bedding:
Aspen shavings: https://www.petvalu.com/ca/product/SCM05455CA
Carefresh bedding: https://www.petvalu.com/ca/product/w...ing/SCM01194CA
And then just toilet paper.

Ria P · 11-05-2020, 07:59 AM

I use Kaytee clean and cozy as the main bedding which works out more economical than Carefresh. I buy the 85l bags which retails at around £18 (Porton Aquatics). It expands a lot and its suitable for nesting and burrowing. All my five hamsters love it.

In a large cage with deep substrate it goes a long way because so little cleaning is required. A Syrian often has a pee corner and a toilet filled with sand placed there saves even more cleaning and replacing of substrate.

I personally don't like Aspen because i find it too coarse and sharp but use woodchips from a county sawmill in play areas like around the wheel or sandpit.

I leave heaps of toilet paper strips by my hamster's houses and they will gather it up and take it to their nests.
With the Kaytee as the main bedding and lots of toilet paper they build big and cozy nests to sleep in.

There are more cost effective alternatives available like Fitch which apparently is similar to Kaytee but i haven't tried it so can't comment on it.

NibblesTheHam · 11-05-2020, 08:38 AM

Hello again!
I've heard really good things about Kaytee Clean and Cozy, but for some reason around where I live we actually don't have it, but I agree with you on aspen, when I first felt I had second thoughts.

Kyrkogrimr · 11-05-2020, 08:52 AM

I've found the white clean and cosy *really* dusty recently, so I wouldn't recommend that one. I think the natural (brown) one is ok, but I don't know about other colours.

Ria P · 11-05-2020, 08:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyrkogrimr

I've found the white clean and cosy *really* dusty recently, so I wouldn't recommend that one. I think the natural (brown) one is ok, but I don't know about other colours.

I haven't had any dusty white Kaytee but prefer the papery texture of the natural.

Ria P · 11-05-2020, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NibblesTheHam

Hello again!
I've heard really good things about Kaytee Clean and Cozy, but for some reason around where I live we actually don't have it, but I agree with you on aspen, when I first felt I had second thoughts. What do you use for burrowing? Just Kaytee Clean and Cozy there as well?

Yes, i use Kaytee in all areas of their habitats and the dwarfs especially burrow all over the place and spend a lot of time underground.

NibblesTheHam · 11-05-2020, 10:14 AM

Do you know which of the previously mentioned beddings, (carefresh, aspen shavings, toilet paper,) would be best for burrowing? right now I'm using the shavings, but I can switch to either of the previously mentioned substrates.

Ria P · 11-05-2020, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NibblesTheHam

Do you know which of the previously mentioned beddings, (carefresh, aspen shavings, toilet paper,) would be best for burrowing? right now I'm using the shavings, but I can switch to either of the previously mentioned substrates.

I'd say Carefresh. Toilet paper strips the hamsters carry to their houses to use in their nests. Aspen i've never used so wouldn't know if its any good for burrowing.

Not all Syrians burrow. My two Syrians don't but my three dwarfs are forever disappearing down various holes leading to their underground burrows.

Is your Syrian a burrower?

Ria P · 11-05-2020, 11:11 AM

I just had a look at your link. The Aspen you are using looks different from the one i looked at in a pet shop. Yours looks far finer and softer than the coarse one i saw.

NibblesTheHam · 11-05-2020, 12:00 PM

I might try him on carefresh and see if he prefers burrowing like that, or with the aspen. Nibbles isn't a huge fan of burrowing, he doesn't live in a burrow or anything, he just occasionally digs himself down. As kind of a side question, do you prefer burrowing towers/boxes, or a wall, or just pile bedding in a corner? right now I'm using a box, but I think I'll switch to a wall.