Shredded paper nesting material injures hamster.

SnuggleHam · 01-18-2007, 02:32 PM

I recently have been interacting with person on one of the live journal hamster communities. They posted a problem with a kind of shredded paper nest material. It got caught and wrapped up around their hamster's foot/ankle. It was wound so tightly that the foot became horribly swollen and bloody.

This individual had recently switched from a cotton type nesting material after finding out about its hazards and went this this shredded paper material. After removing the stuff, the hamster ended up with wet tail, probably due to the stress if it all. Its already been treated by a vet and is on baytril but the outcome does not sound good unfortunately. I will let you know how it turns out.

I'm told this nesting materials is a "pets at home" brand. This is apparently a UK pet and pet supply store?

The packaging apparently says Its a medium recycled paper bedding which says that its suitable for hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats , chinchillas and ferrets and says that it is dust free, digestible 100% recycled paper and biodegradable. I wish I could get a sample image of what the package looks like. If anyone can provide image that would be helpful.

People in the UK be wary of this stuff, and anyone else on other parts of the world should be wary about similar nesting material.

Lula · 01-18-2007, 03:07 PM

By the sounds of it I'm using something very similar for all my hammies. Mine is edible long thin strips of tissue stuff. I haven't caught any around their legs but will see if I can find an alternative to be on the safe side.

SnuggleHam · 01-18-2007, 04:02 PM

Ya better safe then sorry Lula. I don't know why so many people go out and buy their critters special bedding. I guess because they dont know any better. I give my rodents enough bedding to build up a nest. I also give them uncolored and unscented tissue paper. They love it! My syrian Gwen has a huge nest in the corner of her cage. They really don't need much more then that. Of course an igloo or other hide away might help retain heat if thats what your worried about.

Here is what Gwens nest looks like right now. Just aspen shavings and tissues, maybe a bit of chewed up cardboard. She's in a 29 gallon tank which is pretty large. Measuring with a ruler I estimate she built it up to about 6 and a half inches high (about 16cm) by seven inches deep (about 17 or 18cm) And shes nice and cozy!

suga · 01-19-2007, 12:34 AM

I use to use the cotton wool type stuff along with the paper material you are talking about from Pets @ Home. I stopped though - the cotton stuff is nasty and the paper stuff I decided was a waste of £. Both of mine have toilet paper in plain white - of course it is Andrex - only the best for my girls. It's so much better, Conker especially makes some ace nests and fuzee is getting the hang of it too.

Pet shops should take some responsibility for the goods they are selling, but I guess for the majority of them its all about profit :cry:

souffle · 01-19-2007, 05:06 AM

I have often thought that some brands are way too long and strandy. This just proves it. We use the Wilkinsons brand which is like little chips, about 1cm long of the coloured J cloth material. It is perfect. Small bits, no strands, warm and comfy and only 49p a bag! Sometimes we make our own by putting kitchen roll through a shredder. We then take it out and scissor snip the strands small enough so they cannot wrap around the hams. I have heard of hamsters having the cotton wool stuff round limbs and tails and also blocking the gut so I would advise everyone to avoid it regardless of how 'edible' the manufacturer says it is. Hamsters cannot digest this type of vegetable fibre.

**babyboos** · 01-19-2007, 03:43 PM

I would avoid that stuff definitely as if you hold it in you hands and try to pull it apart with your fingers it is really difficult to make it snap so you can imagine if this did get wrapped round a limb... Like souffle we use a mixture of kitchen roll, and small J cloth like vegetable fibre squares. If I can't get to the supplier for the J cloth stuff or I run out I use unbleached toilet roll ripped by hand into strips. It is very economical with 2 bags for £1 normally, and sometimes you get even more depending what special offers the wholesaler is running.

racinghamster · 01-20-2007, 02:37 AM

That`s a sad story and I for one don`t use any of the so called `safe` hamster nesting materials for sale. I use good old fashioned ripped up white toilet paper!

It biodegradable and breaks up if eaten. Kitchen towel does`nt break up the same way, so I always use toilet tissue. It`s cheap too!

I was in a local Acorn Pets shop a few months ago and a woman was at the counter asking for hamster bedding. The woman was about to lead her away and I tapped the lady on the arm and suggested she just but cheap toilet paper. She looked a bit stunned but interested! The shop assistant was taken by surprise and was quick to but in and tell me that `they only sold the safe stuff`.....

Well we all know how `safe` it is, don`t we. I hope the lady I spoke to took my advice.

Everyone buy in some plain white toilet paper!

Emms · 02-04-2007, 09:01 AM

We once tried Twinkle with a shredded paper and she hated it and ended up just sleeping in her empty house! Unfortunately we are having to keep her on cotton wool which she was brought up with as she refuses to use any other bedding

Emma x

SnuggleHam · 02-04-2007, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Emms

We once tried Twinkle with a shredded paper and she hated it and ended up just sleeping in her empty house! Unfortunately we are having to keep her on cotton wool which she was brought up with as she refuses to use any other bedding

Emma x

Emms, I don't mean to sound rude or anything, but you really should get rid of cotton wool bedding. Your hamster doesn't have to keep it because she was raised on it. Believe me if you take away she will be much better off, why risk the accident of it causing her harm? Bedding such as wool and fibrous materials have injured countless hamsters.

Please don't let you hamster use it, try unscented undyed tissue paper or toilet paper. She will love it

Rach · 02-04-2007, 09:37 AM

I've used the natural cotton like fiber bedding for years and nothing has ever gone wrong. The ripped paper bedding just really stressed out all of my hamsters and they ended up making nests out of sawdust, which is far from ideal for me.

What should I use instead then? I'm scared I give them something that will hurt them....