Eating new sawdust! Help??

[Mojo_robo]

So I got my male robo in January - I don't know his exact age but I guess he is about 7 months old maybe? Anyway, I ran out of the big bag of sawdust (woodshavings) that I have been using since I got him. I bought a different type 5 days ago (the one I used before was not there) and now he is acting differently. He has started to eat the sawdust - not storing in his pouches, he eats it. He never done that with the original sawdust. He's become less active - sleeping a lot more through the night/hardly on his wheel/not even getting up for food. His eyes are now very little - looks as if he has just woken up. Very unresponsive when I am at his cage. I gave him a fresh bowl of food and he hasn't touched it - he loves his food and eats all the time so this is very unusual of him. He's been grooming himself more and now scratching like a dog. I know that some woods can be harmful to hamsters. However, on the new type of sawdust it does not say on the bag - I have emailed the company in regards to what type the wood is. I was wondering if anyone could help? Do you think he is just adjusting to a new type of sawdust? Or is he having an allergic reaction that is making him poorly? Thank you.

[AmityvilleHams]

It probably is an allergic reaction.Change substrate as soon as possible,and never use unspecified wood shavings again as they could be anything including pine,cedar,aspen,fir,or other types of wood that can all cause an allergic reaction anyways regardless of kiln dried or not.

He should be acting a lot healthier once you get him off the wood substrate,something like Fitch would be really good as it is dust free paper substrate and has way less risks involved than wood based substrate.If the 10kg size is intimidating,keep in mind you don't have to store it all in one big container and you can break it into smaller amounts!

[cypher]

It does sound as though he may well be allergic, eating wood shavings won't have done him a lot of good either really, if you can't get hold of the substrate you used before see if you can get some paper based substrate, if you let us know where you are we can give some recommendations.
Keep a close eye on him & if he doesn't get back to normal it may well be worth taking him to your vet just to be sure he's ok.

[AmityvilleHams]

If you're in the US,Carefresh or Kaytee Clean and Cozy are both good options with Kaytee Clean and Cozy being the least dusty and cheapest of the two.However for UK owners Fitch is best,as it is a lot cheaper than Carefresh.If you have to use Carefresh do not use the shavings plus variety as it is softwood shavings which are unsafe.

[Mojo_robo]

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

It probably is an allergic reaction.Change substrate as soon as possible,and never use unspecified wood shavings again as they could be anything including pine,cedar,aspen,fir,or other types of wood that can all cause an allergic reaction anyways regardless of kiln dried or not.

He should be acting a lot healthier once you get him off the wood substrate,something like Fitch would be really good as it is dust free paper substrate and has way less risks involved than wood based substrate.If the 10kg size is intimidating,keep in mind you don't have to store it all in one big container and you can break it into smaller amounts!

I changed his sawdust yesterday and he has perked up already! He's a lot more active - on his wheel, climbing the bars on his cage. He's started to eat again too. Thank you for your help!

Originally Posted by cypher

It does sound as though he may well be allergic, eating wood shavings won't have done him a lot of good either really, if you can't get hold of the substrate you used before see if you can get some paper based substrate, if you let us know where you are we can give some recommendations.
Keep a close eye on him & if he doesn't get back to normal it may well be worth taking him to your vet just to be sure he's ok.

I wasn't able to get the original sawdust I used for him first but I've gotten rid of the one that was making him act like he was. He seems a lot more happy and active again and it's only been a day! I live in Liverpool and our pet stores are terrible so I would really appreciate some recommendations Thank you for your help.

Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams

If you're in the US,Carefresh or Kaytee Clean and Cozy are both good options with Kaytee Clean and Cozy being the least dusty and cheapest of the two.However for UK owners Fitch is best,as it is a lot cheaper than Carefresh.If you have to use Carefresh do not use the shavings plus variety as it is softwood shavings which are unsafe.

I will be sure to try Fitch. I think the previous sawdust were softwood so I will definitely not be using them again. Mojo seems like he's back to normal and he's very active again. Thanks for the help!