Megazorb or shavings for Chinese hamsters?

[MandyP]

I use Megazorb for all my hamsters. My chinese dont mind either as i did have them on wood shavings for a while. My syrian Bella is allergic to woodshavings.

[fluffymunchkins]

Originally Posted by alisont

Ah didnt know that thanks, have rung horse supply places locally but no one had it in. Trouble is I don't drive so I just get mine from Farmaway online £7 a bag and £5 delivery. How much do you pay? - could see if Dad would offer the parental taxi service for a trip as only a few miles away - bit embarrasing at 38 saying parental taxi service but parents are so good for collecting animal supplies

Its about £7 I think, I would ring up and ask first though as they sometimes don't have it in stock and will order it in for you

[alisont]

Originally Posted by fluffymunchkins

Its about £7 I think, I would ring up and ask first though as they sometimes don't have it in stock and will order it in for you

Thanks am stocked up for now but will ring them next time to order a bag - only about 15 mins drive form here and Dad says he doesnt mind taking me

[CoolcatNatNat44]

i use pets at home shavings from my previous hamster and my syrian, just the normal unscented one's, and also carefresh mixed in.... what is megazorb?

[KatiePillow]

Megazorb is similar to carefresh, it's a wood based horse bedding which is very absorbant, it's also a lot cheaper than carefresh at £7 for 85l (plus postage if you have to get online, but from a equine shop, it's around £7) the main issue is the size bag it comes in But I really love it and would never switch back to shavings (too stinky)

[squirrel]

When I got my littlies from Pets at Home, the staff said I had to use Biocat cat litter - the paper-based pellets. Since I was new to Chinese (I have gerbils and some experience of syrians) I took their word for it since I didn't want the poor wee things to suffer and adverse reaction to shavings or carefresh. I've learnt a bit more now and generally use a mixture of the Biocat and some carefresh, megazorb or whatever comes to hand really - no hammie problems suffered!

Anyone know why they would say it has to be paper-based cat litter? I understand that shavings have a bad press in some areas because of the pine oils or something along those lines which are stronger in shavings you get in the US, so a lot of gerbil sites advise "no pine shavings!!" every time the topic of substrate comes up. No idea why even carefresh would be a problem though, since Pets at Home sell that too.

[Amelia66]

i have used both and i think mine prefers shavings ... only because he seems to like digging in them more. I like the smell and look of shavings more, so i guess its your own personal preference.

[Jasmine]

I've always used shavings too for all my hamsters, piggies and rabbits and never had a problem. My Chinese hamster is on shavings at the moment and loves digging in them.