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Old 01-31-2020, 10:21 AM   #1
Corbeens
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Default Is this safe?

I'm not going to buy it as I'm not sure if its safe, but can anyone confirm or deny if this is safe?

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Naturals-Pl...157031&sr=8-90
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Old 01-31-2020, 10:29 AM   #2
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Default Re: Is this safe?

That's kapok which is another type of fluff and its safety is questionable at best. It may have the same issues as cotton fluff bedding, i.e limb entanglement, obstructions, choking.

It's used a lot in Germany and considered safe by many there, but personally I wouldn't recommend it when there are safer options, like paper and tissue.

This website has lots of information on kapok:
https://strongbrew.ca/kapok

Last edited by sushi_78; 01-31-2020 at 10:39 AM.
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Old 01-31-2020, 11:24 AM   #3
Corbeens
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Ah i thought so! Thanks for the advice and I'm glad I didn't buy it now
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Old 01-31-2020, 12:29 PM   #4
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Default Re: Is this safe?

I wouldn't buy/use it. I think the advice I have read on it is if it doesn't dissolve/disintegrate in water, forget it. because it wouldn't dissolve if swallowed by your hamster. Not worth the worry when paper works just great with no worries.
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:25 PM   #5
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Default Re: Is this safe?

While it's non toxic, it doesn't dissolve so can cause blockages if enough of it it consumed. Also fibres on it can wrap around teeth and limbs
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:42 PM   #6
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Is this safe?

While kapok does indeed share the same issues as cotton, one could even now argue that it's even more dangerous. I don't think I've ever heard of cotton having spontaneous combustion!

I do have a massive dislike to say the least of the "natural = safe" train of thought that a lot of companies use to target pet owners with less knowledge on many safety risks for our pets, but it isn't one strictly reserved to hamsters. I know I've seen endless dangerous products even for dogs(rawhide which is never natural and always harmful and unsafe flea repellents for a tiny portion of the examples) and those are one of the most common pets to have!
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:46 PM   #7
Vierville
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by sushi_78 View Post
That's kapok which is another type of fluff and its safety is questionable at best. It may have the same issues as cotton fluff bedding, i.e limb entanglement, obstructions, choking.

It's used a lot in Germany and considered safe by many there, but personally I wouldn't recommend it when there are safer options, like paper and tissue.

This website has lots of information on kapok:
https://strongbrew.ca/kapok
Very interesting that you say it is used a lot in Germany as the only use of Kapok that I've ever known was as the stuffing for German WW2 lifejackets.
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:55 PM   #8
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vierville View Post
Very interesting that you say it is used a lot in Germany as the only use of Kapok that I've ever known was as the stuffing for German WW2 lifejackets.
A search for "kapok" on a German hamster forum brought up a few results of people mentioning they used it.

https://www.das-hamsterforum.de/sear...q=kapok&o=date

One thing about kapok, is that it does have very short strands compared to cotton, so the risk of limb entanglement should be less. That still doesn't make it completely safe of course.

And yes, the natural = safe mindset is very annoying. Natural is just one of those buzzwords that manufacturers use to entice customers, but of course it doesn't mean anything. Cotton and cedar are also natural.
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Old 01-31-2020, 01:56 PM   #9
Ria P
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Default Re: Is this safe?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vierville View Post
Very interesting that you say it is used a lot in Germany as the only use of Kapok that I've ever known was as the stuffing for German WW2 lifejackets.
That's interesting and could well be the same thing.
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Old 01-31-2020, 02:15 PM   #10
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Default Re: Is this safe?

My pillow stuffing is kapok, it's soft but can become clumpy-ish if not maintained. I wouldn't use it in a hamster enclosure.
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