!cheap carefresh! - Page 2

**Hamtastic** · 10-15-2011, 08:02 AM

Here's a photo of my Carefresh Natural (ignore the crinkly paper bits--those are EcoBedding mixed in).

emilyweb · 10-15-2011, 08:03 AM

hehe yup cheapness is a priority >.<

NotsoLittleOlive · 10-15-2011, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emilyweb

tbh if I used carefreash I'b prefer the non bleached kind and not bother about the colour.

I was wondering about that....bleached stuff inherently doesn't seem as healthy but a lot of people on here seem to use it and everyone's very knowledgable so I assumed it wouldn't be something to worry about.
I've google-imaged it and it does seem creamy-grey (which is fine) but it just looked a bit gross in the picture where it's swamp-green lol.

NotsoLittleOlive · 10-15-2011, 08:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

Here's a photo of my Carefresh Natural (ignore the crinkly paper bits--those are EcoBedding mixed in).

Oh that's cool. Thanks =)
Do you know if it is good for burrowing or do I need to think about mixing it with something?

**Hamtastic** · 10-15-2011, 08:05 AM

It's questionable. The difference between natural and colored carefresh is more than just color--the natural is shorter fiber, while the colored and white is longer fiber and softer. It's also dustier than natural. Some people on another hamster forum experienced their hamsters being allergic to the white bleached kind (called Carefresh Ultra in the U.S.), though I imagine it's a rare reaction. Carefresh Colors is just Carefresh Ultra with extra colorants. Both kinds are fine, I think, but I prefer Carefresh Natural because it's 1. cheaper, 2. less dusty, 3. more natural looking in my cages. It also does have a bit of a cardboard smell when you first put it in, but it dissipates with time.

It's excellent for burrowing and holding up tunnels.

NotsoLittleOlive · 10-15-2011, 08:09 AM

Perfick =D I think Olive's gonna enjoy that (woodshavings kinda suck) but they're the *only* thing available in any shops I can get to so I opted for them first.
Less dusty is good - she's in my bedroom so I think that'd make me sneeze too.

firedrake13 · 10-15-2011, 08:09 AM

Side note on the Carefresh natural (unbleached) I found that it has this weird sweet smell to it, and not in a good way. Once my hamsters peed on it, it smelled worse. I have a very sensitive nose, and the smell bothered me a lot and triggered migraines for me. Once I switched to the white, I've not had a problem. It might not bother you...but I think the extra cost is worth it for me.

*ETA* I found that even with airing the natural out, I could still smell it (again my nose is sensitive and it may not bother you)

NotsoLittleOlive · 10-15-2011, 08:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by firedrake13

Side note on the Carefresh natural (unbleached) I found that it has this weird sweet smell to it, and not in a good way.

Hmmm...that's worrying. I have a crazy hyper-sensitive nose and I get migraines

I guess I'll just give it a go - thanks for the heads up.

Edit: erm...how do you air it out? Outdoors? I live in Manchester .... it NEVER stops raining lol!

**Hamtastic** · 10-15-2011, 08:12 AM

Oh yeah, concerning the smell, I found that different batches can be better or worse on the smell. I think one batch I got was stored in some damp basement, because it smelled really bad. But all the bags I've gotten since then have been much dryer and with a fairly light smell. I'd try another bag at some point, Firedrake--maybe you got one of those bad kinds.

firedrake13 · 10-15-2011, 08:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hamtastic

Oh yeah, concerning the smell, I found that different batches can be better or worse on the smell. I think one batch I got was stored in some damp basement, because it smelled really bad. But all the bags I've gotten since then have been much dryer and with a fairly light smell. I'd try another bag at some point, Firedrake--maybe you got one of those bad kinds.

I actually got two different bags from two different stores, both had the same smell. Maybe it was just the same batch that hit different stores.

I'm a bit nervous to try it again, since I find it to be a migraine trigger I don't want to spend money to find it's worse, or the same, and have to live with it till next cage cleaning time.