Safe Rocks?

[Rodent Fan]

I'd like to put some kind of rock or stone in my new hamster's cage, to help keep his nails trim. I'd probably put it under his water bottle, so that he has to step on it frequently.

Does anyone else do this, and can anyone suggest something safe that I can use that would do the job?

Thanks!

[Xol]

I bought a small quantity of large black decorative stones from Home Bargains (shop in the UK) for 49p, they're great aesthetically in my Roborovski's natural cage setup, but they're also great because they stay cool in hot weather and my hamster likes to lay and sleep on them.

There isn't much information regarding safe types of rock as far as I know (at least from a quick Google search) but many hamster owners often take decorative stones from their back gardens to use in their cages. You just have to make sure you properly disinfect the stones before use - to get rid of anything harmful.

[cypher]

I use the granite tiles from Rodipet in my cages but even those probably only help a tiny bit, most stones won't make a lot of difference although you can try any that are sterile & not sharp at all, I would avoid slippery shiny ones!
A sand bath to dig probably helps more than anything else.
At some point you will probably need to trim those nails anyway, they do grow very fast!

[blpriestley]

What about slate coasters? Would they be suitable? Sainsbury's - Please enable cookies or JavaScript

[Hamsterita]

I would buy a rock for terrariums without sharp edges on a pet shop, then I would rinse it with hot water and then I would bake it. I think that's the safest option If you think about something disinfected and hygienic, and that's what I did.

I bought a piece of salte, but as cypher told me on another thread, you have to be very careful because slate sometimes has sharp edges and can chip. I used a industrial file to smooth the edges and now they are flat. I think that those on sainsbury are a little bit expensive. Mine cost 2.20 euros.

I also bought this from ikea DYFT Adorno, piedras - IKEA And I did the same process with them. Then I put them on the potty entrance.

If you want to see some photos you can check how they look here Let's See Your Cages (May 2016)

[blpriestley]

What about this? http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...i=9&orderBy=1# I think it looks like he would have to climb slightly for the water so I'm not sure

or these Pettex Stones | Pets At Home though both seem a but expensive. I don't really know though as I don't have anything to compare it too!

[Hamsterita]

Originally Posted by blpriestley

What about this? http://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pe...i=9&orderBy=1# I think it looks like he would have to climb slightly for the water so I'm not sure

Those are rock alike, but are mode from an specific plastic. I think that the plastic is resin, at least in spain we call it "resina" and I think that's the translation.

Anyway I read somewhere that those help too with the nails, but I don't know for sure.

[cypher]

Personally I always worry about the idea of slate in cages as it can split, fracture or chip & become very sharp so I wouldn't use it.
Not sure what those P@H stones are but if they're a slightly rough or porous rock they should be ok, resin can help a little but not a lot with keeping claws trim.
One of the best things is just a simple terracotta flower pot, if you lay it on it's side, fill it with substrate & hide food/treats in there they will dig around in it quite a lot.

[Rads]

Why not use a terracotta plant pot? One of the old fashioned ones that should do the trick for the nails and would also provide some enrichment for your hammy, also it would be some where cool in the summer for your hammy to rest or sleep in too...