Want to confirm hide is safe

[hamsterchan]

Hi everyone! I have researched so much and read so many threads here before getting my first hamsters (two campbell dwarfs in two different tanks) so first of all, thank you for all the information.

I wanted to confirm 100% that this hide is safe before I use them in my hamster's cages. It is the Kaytee Woodland Get-A-Way Hideout.

https://www.chewy.com/kaytee-woodlan...SABEgIXWfD_BwE

I can't seem to find an answer on this. I think it is made of pine which I know is bad for bedding. I don't want to put anything dangerous in the tank. I have read that if it is kiln dried it should be okay but I wanted to ask you guys first before I put it in the tank. I do have an aquarium type tank in case that makes a difference (ventilation wise for example). I really want to use these because my boyfriend bought them for our hamsters but I want to make sure first.

Any help is appreciated! Thank you!!

[stan]

Yes the hide is fine.

Pine contains volatile organic compounds, which is a fancy way of saying it has a strong smell. The smell can cause breathing issues in small animals. Pined bedding shavings have a lot of surface area to release the compounds from, so more 'smell' is in the air. Kiln drying heats up the compounds so they are released from the wood quickly, leaving the wood with no or little smell, and no chance of more compounds or smell being produced.

Solid pine, which the house is made from, does not have a large surface area, so less of the compounds causing smells will be released. This means even if the house is not kiln dried it is still safe.

[Pebbles82]

Yes it’s fine. It’s a very good house. Stan explained it well. With pain shavings there are masses of exposed surface areas to release phenols. Solid pine wood is fine. I have solid pine wood shelves in my cage. With wood houses though, it can be an idea to paint the inside with pet safe waterproofing paint so you can wipe them clean. Otherwise they can get spiked if per’d in. On the other hand you can just give them a good scrub under running water if they get pee’d in and replace if necessary. Not all hamsters pee in their nest - in fact it’s usually rare but they can have the odd accident. With dwarf jammies though I doubt you would notice as they pee such tiny amounts. In the uk people use plastikote paint which is pet safe but I don’t think it’s available in the US so I would just take a risk!

[Hammygal]

They are perfectly fine.I have 2 of them. If they become dirty, I wash it in warm soapy water and let dry.

[AmityvilleHams]

I wouldn't wash any kind of wood hides or similar items in soap, they absorb the soap which can be very harmful to hamsters if ingested. Anything you dip them in, soak them in, or try to wash them with will be absorbed.