Bedding help

[Petite]

Voessy, I'm switching to having a deep section of paper substrate (from wood shavings), and the reviews for this said that it helps burrowed tunnels hold their shape. Is it enough on its own, or would it be better with some hay mixed in? If so, could you please advise what kind of hay you find works best? Many thanks.

[VOESSY]

Originally Posted by Petite

Voessy, I'm switching to having a deep section of paper substrate (from wood shavings), and the reviews for this said that it helps burrowed tunnels hold their shape. Is it enough on its own, or would it be better with some hay mixed in? If so, could you please advise what kind of hay you find works best? Many thanks.

I am a new hamster owner which means I haven't got the same amount of experience as many others here, but what I chose to provide for Mocha so far seems to work really well.

I layer the auboise shavings, with natural/white paper bedding and currently a soft hay called 'herb hay', chamomille and dandelion. It has little flowers in it for him to find and munch. I plan to try some other kinds, if I stumble upon anything superior I'll be sure to share. I mainly make sure it is a soft hay to not risk his cheeks being poked. I don't put a huge amount of hay because it is not needed, I try to feel that it's just enough to hold his burrows.

I hope that helps.

[Petite]

Thanks; the herb hay sounds gorgeous. I'll look out for some locally.

[Engel]

Originally Posted by Maker

It seems to keep the odour in check, i remove the soiled stuff every other day. I've a lady so sometimes her environment is smellier than other days because she's in season.

Thats what i did in the stable, used a pitch fork though lol, just pick it up and throw it all to one side and picking out the soiled bits then smooth it all back down.

I can't see anyone going through cleaning soiled stables using just their bare hands tbh haha.

I can't go 24hrs at the moment without cleaning out once or twice. I have 2 female Syrians so I totally know what you mean. Nice to know it has decent odour control. My summer may have been saved

[Engel]

Originally Posted by VOESSY

I like auboise bedding, it has worked great for me so far. I combine it with paperbased and a bit of soft hay in layers to help his burrowing tunnels to stay stable.

Well I'm hoping to have one area as sleeping/nest area with paper bedding still. Just the rest will be hemp with a coconut coir digging box. To be honest they don't really burrow much...kind of get lazy, dig a little then plonk themselves there. Still on the surface though

[Engel]

Originally Posted by VOESSY

I am a new hamster owner which means I haven't got the same amount of experience as many others here, but what I chose to provide for Mocha so far seems to work really well.

I layer the auboise shavings, with natural/white paper bedding and currently a soft hay called 'herb hay', chamomille and dandelion. It has little flowers in it for him to find and munch. I plan to try some other kinds, if I stumble upon anything superior I'll be sure to share. I mainly make sure it is a soft hay to not risk his cheeks being poked. I don't put a huge amount of hay because it is not needed, I try to feel that it's just enough to hold his burrows.

I hope that helps.

Many people use hay to help with burrow structure and encourage nest building. Also adds fibre to their diet. Just be careful that it's not too strong smelling. If it is maybe air it out a bit (put it in a box with holes and let the air get to it type of thing) also if there's any sharp bits

[Engel]

Originally Posted by Petite

Thanks; the herb hay sounds gorgeous. I'll look out for some locally.

Timothy hay works too

[VOESSY]

Originally Posted by Engel

Well I'm hoping to have one area as sleeping/nest area with paper bedding still. Just the rest will be hemp with a coconut coir digging box. To be honest they don't really burrow much...kind of get lazy, dig a little then plonk themselves there. Still on the surface though

Sounds good to me.
Haha, they are funny in that way, I don't see Mocha nearly as much since he built his tunnel system, but they will do what they do.

[Engel]

Originally Posted by VOESSY

Sounds good to me.
Haha, they are funny in that way, I don't see Mocha nearly as much since he built his tunnel system, but they will do what they do.

Same with my male Syrian. Only way I know hes alive is the water level in his bowl and the foods gone. Tried searching in the bedding and I can't find him, his name ghost suits him pretty well me thinks

[Engel]

I've finally received my bale of aubiose. It stays on the back to wet it before use. Do I still do that for hamsters? Or do I just put it in as it is?