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Old 01-18-2022, 10:55 AM   #1
Lilafernim
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Join Date: Sep 2021
Posts: 409
Default Coco soil vs sand as toilet

Hi,

So my hamster has a sand ‘bath’ but uses it religiously as a toilet. She’s nearly out of sand and I use a non-calcium reptile sand that’s 5kg for £8 which is a great deal really for sand.

Just had a thought to save some money but also change things up, I’ve heard a lot of people talk about coco soil? Or coir? I thought about maybe instead of getting sand getting this as a change as it’s super absorbent too and she might prefer the natural feel of it. Just wondering if hamsters ever use this type of substrate as a toilet?

I just don’t want to replace her sand, then her move her toilet elsewhere and never be able to get her to use sand again.
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Old 01-18-2022, 11:52 AM   #2
sushi_78
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Default Re: Coco soil vs sand as toilet

I don't think coco soil/coir is ideal for a toilet as it holds onto moisture and can even go mouldy when continuously damp, whereas sand dries out.
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Old 01-18-2022, 01:11 PM   #3
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Coco soil vs sand as toilet

I haven’t ever used it before so I haven’t seen how it ‘behaves’ as such. I think the one I read about you add water and it expands so I just thought it must be good at absorbing water, but I think I have heard other people mention issues with mould now you mention it. Maybe sand is safer and plus I already know it works.

Thank you!
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Old 01-18-2022, 08:17 PM   #4
Salem13
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Default Re: Coco soil vs sand as toilet

Coir is very absorbent and can work fine as a toilet- it shouldn't go mouldy even if the hamster decides to exclusively urinate in it. I would suggest using it in a second container rather than replacing the sand with it. It's generally used more for digging enrichment than functional the way sand is.

I use it myself and enjoy it thoroughly. My dwarf likes to dig and roll in it constantly. I like to bury dried insects and seeds in it. My previous dwarf occasionally used it as a toilet but mostly liked to just shove his face into it. I originally liked to mix about 3 parts coir to 1 part sand to bulk up the amount and really make sure all moisture was dealt with but I no longer believe thats necessary.

When coir gets wet it sort of clumps together like sand but even lightly touching it will usually break it back apart. Because it's so absorbent you won't really need to replace it as often as sand. I like to keep the old coir in a container and use it for my plants.

As a note though it can come in both bricks and bags. The bricks need to be rehydrated and broken up then dried back out- this is the more cost effective option but is a lot more time consuming. Additionally the act of breaking up the coir with your hands can occasionally scratch up your skin a bit- this isn't an issue once its actually broken up so it won't hurt the hamster though. It's nothing serious and won't actually cause bleeding but it can cause faint rashes and such- or at least it does in me. Buying in bags is more expensive but you don't have to do anything to it. It can sometimes be a bit dusty right out of the bag but it settles pretty fast and really doesn't get kicked up into the air while being used. When initially putting it into the enclosure I like to do one or two quick sprits of water in a spray bottle. It's not enough to even make the soil damp but it helps keep the initial dust to a minimum.

Also just a note on the sand- you can actually rinse the sand out and reuse it if you don't want to keep buying more. To do this you half fill of bucket with the dirty sand then run water into it until it comes out clear. This is how people 'wash' sand for aquariums, it gets rid of all the tiny particles that can float around in the water like dust. You can then let it dry by air or spread it on baking sheets and pop it in the oven for a while.
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Old 01-18-2022, 10:44 PM   #5
Mayaidi
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Smile Re: Coco soil vs sand as toilet

Quote:
Originally Posted by Salem13 View Post
Coir is very absorbent and can work fine as a toilet- it shouldn't go mouldy even if the hamster decides to exclusively urinate in it. I would suggest using it in a second container rather than replacing the sand with it. It's generally used more for digging enrichment than functional the way sand is.

I use it myself and enjoy it thoroughly. My dwarf likes to dig and roll in it constantly. I like to bury dried insects and seeds in it. My previous dwarf occasionally used it as a toilet but mostly liked to just shove his face into it. I originally liked to mix about 3 parts coir to 1 part sand to bulk up the amount and really make sure all moisture was dealt with but I no longer believe thats necessary.

When coir gets wet it sort of clumps together like sand but even lightly touching it will usually break it back apart. Because it's so absorbent you won't really need to replace it as often as sand. I like to keep the old coir in a container and use it for my plants.

As a note though it can come in both bricks and bags. The bricks need to be rehydrated and broken up then dried back out- this is the more cost effective option but is a lot more time consuming. Additionally the act of breaking up the coir with your hands can occasionally scratch up your skin a bit- this isn't an issue once its actually broken up so it won't hurt the hamster though. It's nothing serious and won't actually cause bleeding but it can cause faint rashes and such- or at least it does in me. Buying in bags is more expensive but you don't have to do anything to it. It can sometimes be a bit dusty right out of the bag but it settles pretty fast and really doesn't get kicked up into the air while being used. When initially putting it into the enclosure I like to do one or two quick sprits of water in a spray bottle. It's not enough to even make the soil damp but it helps keep the initial dust to a minimum.

Also just a note on the sand- you can actually rinse the sand out and reuse it if you don't want to keep buying more. To do this you half fill of bucket with the dirty sand then run water into it until it comes out clear. This is how people 'wash' sand for aquariums, it gets rid of all the tiny particles that can float around in the water like dust. You can then let it dry by air or spread it on baking sheets and pop it in the oven for a while.
I totally agree with you. Instead of refilling the sand, I would suggest using a second container too. You are right that it is mainly utilized for digging enrichment rather for functional purposes, as sand is.
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Old 01-19-2022, 11:24 AM   #6
Lilafernim
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Default Re: Coco soil vs sand as toilet

Okay I’m glad I did what I did today now! I bought more sand but play sand instead, I’ve washed it and am currently baking it, I’ll sieve it after but I’ve heard a lot of people use this instead and as it’s for a toilet not cleaning I think it should be fine.

I didn’t actually know that you could reuse sand, I don’t know if it would’ve worked with hers though because she does kick some paper bedding in it I guess to cover it. So I don’t know if this would’ve been easy to separate from the sand especially when damp. I’m happy to try this play sand though, more work but I’m doing a decent amount now so should last. I might try reusing it.

I did however also grab some coco coir anyway and am going to section off a part of her enclosure and see how she likes it for a change. This way she has diversity but shouldn’t upset her toilet habits. It is in a brick form as I didn’t see any other sort in the shop but I’m about to watch a video to make sure I put the right amount of water in. Very excited to see what it’s like! I’ll definitely use your suggestion of hiding seeds and insects in there as well, I hadn’t even thought of that but it’s a brilliant idea.

Thank you for all your advice!
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