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Pebbles82 · 01-31-2019, 05:56 PM

It is supposed to be safe. However I think it depends on the quality of the hemp mat. I had some awful ones once (Kerbl I think) that just shed all over the place and weren't very solidly formed somehow. I get the Hugro ones from Zooplus now, They always end up shedding a bit eventually and then I replace that piece. I have had hamsters pull at them (ours did it to see what was behind it as it was against the bars providing shelter on his shelf).

It is possible your hammy is wanting it for nesting material - it's winter and I've noticed ours foraging more when out of the cage.

I would just keep an eye on it. Where is it? I have a piece on top of our hammy's house roof and a circle of it cut to line a sputnik. Our current hamster shows no interest in chewing it. Although when I took it off his house roof in summer, he piled bedding on top of the house instead! Don't think he liked the wood without a soft cover.

If your hammy is chewing it a lot it might be an idea to remove it - although it does say it's safe to chew. But just keep an eye on it. If it's getting a bit dog eared and shedding, then maybe replace it with a new bit - then see if she still tries to chew it.

01-31-2019, 05:56 PM
Pebbles82 Hamster Antics Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 23,533	Re: Hemp Mats Danger? It is supposed to be safe. However I think it depends on the quality of the hemp mat. I had some awful ones once (Kerbl I think) that just shed all over the place and weren't very solidly formed somehow. I get the Hugro ones from Zooplus now, They always end up shedding a bit eventually and then I replace that piece. I have had hamsters pull at them (ours did it to see what was behind it as it was against the bars providing shelter on his shelf). It is possible your hammy is wanting it for nesting material - it's winter and I've noticed ours foraging more when out of the cage. I would just keep an eye on it. Where is it? I have a piece on top of our hammy's house roof and a circle of it cut to line a sputnik. Our current hamster shows no interest in chewing it. Although when I took it off his house roof in summer, he piled bedding on top of the house instead! Don't think he liked the wood without a soft cover. If your hammy is chewing it a lot it might be an idea to remove it - although it does say it's safe to chew. But just keep an eye on it. If it's getting a bit dog eared and shedding, then maybe replace it with a new bit - then see if she still tries to chew it.