Where to put sandpaper?

[cypher]

I did read somewhere that if you use sandpaper with one of those wheels you should put it on the outside so only their nails touch the sandpaper but even that way I think it might make their feet sore quicker than it wore down their nails.

[ianpallen]

I used wet and dry paper on my ramp. Not so harsh on the feet.

[kyrilliondaemon]

I'd just skip using it. A stone under the water bottle should help (and definetly be walked on) without any risk at all to the hamsters paws

[XRubyRoseX]

Ooo thanks I'll try that, just any type of stone or? And what I've done is just lined a tube with some sandpaper and when I get them out I let them run through it a couple of times if they want too

[kyrilliondaemon]

Er... I think most stones are ok but you need to make sure they're really, really clean and ideally disinfected before use. Another option would be a tile - and they come clean lol

[XRubyRoseX]

Thank you I'll see if we have any tiles, if not I'll go hunting for a rock lol

[spyro87]

Originally Posted by amie

I remember a thread last year about sandpaper and soufflé said it shouldn’t be used for hamsters.

She said:
“The foot structure is very different from animals like sugar gliders and rats and the sandpaper can damage the small pads on the feet.”

Here is the link to the thread:
Rehomed russian, very very long nails

I agree with this!
Sandpaper sounds absurdly horrible to allow a hamster to run on!
Ouch I certainly wouldnt relish the idea of running that fast on something rough. Why on earth would I want to make hams do it?

Also Soufflé has never been wrong regarding these things and I would trust soufflé and her input over most.. She is a highly experienced hamster owner.

There are other safer alternatives to sandpaper! I would much rather use those. Although my Syrians natural antics keep their nails trim enough that it's not a problem. Although I do know some hamsters have problematic teeth and nails, most are fine

[orlastar]

I'm not being rude but wouldn't the sand paper also scratch his feet pads?


Soz for repeating just saw the other posts about this...

Why don't you put rocks in his cage instead.

[ianpallen]

sand paper would but wet and dry paper would not as it is fairly smooth and takes a lot to wear soft surfaces away.

[XRubyRoseX]

Yeah I'm going to just put rocks in instead I'd just heard of some people using it to help with nails, I one tried it out in a tube last night that they only had access to during play times and they only went through it if they wanted too. But I like the idea of rocks more anyways, they probably look nice in the cage