Bedding

PeanutButter · 11-09-2010, 04:26 PM

For Peanut Butter (My Syrian Hamster) I use ceder as bedding but i just recently found that ceder is bad for hamsters?!?! Is this true?

debs · 11-09-2010, 05:50 PM

is that the wool stuff? if so then yes it is

mrnibblesmommy · 11-09-2010, 05:50 PM

it's absolutely true! you should switch asap...i use aspen bedding which is safe as pine and cedar are not safe. if you dont wanna use aspen, carefresh is also a very nice safe bedding to use!

souffle · 11-10-2010, 03:35 AM

In the UK we are not really familiar with the different tree wood beddings.
I have heard that the USA ceder is not good as it has not been kiln dried to remove the aromatic phenols that are in the wood and these can affec the hamsters respiratory systems.
UK shavings are kiln dried so we don't have that problem.

**Hope** · 11-10-2010, 04:14 AM

Cedar does have an incredibly strong smell. (I work for a builders and we often have samples of it about as it is often used for cladding) It stinks out the whole office very quickly indeed. I wouldnt want to live with that smell all the time, it can be very overpowering, and not very nice for the hammy I imagine. I know that aspen seems to be popular in the US, but any paper based bedding (as long as it not scented) should be fine also ie carefresh.

Amethyst_ice · 11-10-2010, 06:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by debs

is that the wool stuff? if so then yes it is

Debs ceder is a type of wood

hehe xxxx

debs · 11-10-2010, 09:48 AM

ohh i was thinking of the wool stuff hehe

cheekycheeks · 11-10-2010, 10:59 AM

I use carefresh, in Ontario Canada it is all over the pet stores and is most recommended it seems here. It is also supposed to be number 1 in odor control.

PeanutButter · 11-11-2010, 06:55 PM

Yeah next stuff i am getting is Carefresh. Yeah my mom said i have to use all the cedar first but now peanut butter has become very itchy. I told her and she said we will have to see what happens.

mrnibblesmommy · 11-11-2010, 08:40 PM

cedar is very strongly cented. unfortunately that's what irritates the hamster ...and what attracts people to use it, because it often will cover up the pee odor. do you have a big bale of it? your local animal rescue would probably accept the donation happily! at least then it'd go to a good cause and you could switch your hamster straight to something that wont irritate him, like the care fresh. i recommend care fresh natural, it's brown in color and very absorbant and you get a lot for the price. it does "fluff up" so when you first use it, dont be suprised to wake up the next day and have it appear to have grown over night in the cage

i made that mistake the first time i used it hehe