Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
Navigation
Front Page
Forum
Gallery
Wiki

Ads by Google


Go Back   Hamster Central > Hamster Central Forum Topics > Hamster Healthcare

Notices

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 03-29-2017, 06:24 AM   #11
Vectis Hamstery
Moderator
 
Vectis Hamstery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southampton, UK
Posts: 4,577
Default Re: Dust free bedding

For minimally dusty substrates, I like cardboard based substrates like cardboard squares or Finacard. I've also used Fitch or other paper based substrates (e.g. Back to Nature pellets if your recessive dappled Syrian is long-haired) with rodents with sensitive respiratory systems.

Some hamsters can be allergic to wood shavings, even if they are dust extracted, though not many in my experience. I've only had one who got a sore weeping eye when near shavings - and he had to live on a high shelf in the hamster room or his eye flared when I was using shavings in the show pens for other hamsters.

I use wood pellets for my longhaired Syrians, but they do break down into a powder when urinated on which wouldn't be ideal for a hamster with respiratory issues like yours.

I have found cleaning wheels more often leads to a dirtier wheel - I have mostly Chinese hamsters which are notorious for peeing in wheels and the cleaner I make it the more they pee in it to make it smell more familiar. This isn't good for their kidneys, for their stress levels or for my nose either. I will wipe wheels regularly (especially any diabetic hamsters') with some dry kitchen roll to get the soiling off but not disinfect/spray it to preserve the scent.

Let's keep on topic in this thread as the OP asked for substrate suggestions
__________________
Vectis Hamstery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:32 AM   #12
snow pony
Hamster Pup
 
snow pony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 98
Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery View Post
For minimally dusty substrates, I like cardboard based substrates like cardboard squares or Finacard. I've also used Fitch or other paper based substrates (e.g. Back to Nature pellets if your recessive dappled Syrian is long-haired) with rodents with sensitive respiratory systems.

Some hamsters can be allergic to wood shavings, even if they are dust extracted, though not many in my experience. I've only had one who got a sore weeping eye when near shavings - and he had to live on a high shelf in the hamster room or his eye flared when I was using shavings in the show pens for other hamsters.

I use wood pellets for my longhaired Syrians, but they do break down into a powder when urinated on which wouldn't be ideal for a hamster with respiratory issues like yours.

I have found cleaning wheels more often leads to a dirtier wheel - I have mostly Chinese hamsters which are notorious for peeing in wheels and the cleaner I make it the more they pee in it to make it smell more familiar. This isn't good for their kidneys, for their stress levels or for my nose either. I will wipe wheels regularly (especially any diabetic hamsters') with some dry kitchen roll to get the soiling off but not disinfect/spray it to preserve the scent.

Let's keep on topic in this thread as the OP asked for substrate suggestions
My RD was supposed to stand for Russian Dwarf as he's a hybrid.

He may be allergic to wood shavings. I'm not sure what he's had all his life. I think they used to use Carefresh when he was in the pet shop.

I'm not entirely sure why we were talking about hamsters peeing on wheels either as he doesn't do that, although my Syrian does. I wipe it down too and then once a week wash it with water just to remove residue.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions so far, I will look into getting him some Fitch so I can try it out.
__________________
Proud Hamster Mum to Ella, Tey and Krypton

snow pony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:32 AM   #13
tomnjerry
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 31
Default Re: Dust free bedding

The issue is usually things unspoken. Use just water for cleaning. Ammonia is gone but scent remains.

I was just about to say dust, allergy and ammonia.

But Vectis addressed the issue beautifully.

Observe the hamster as you eliminate possibilities.
tomnjerry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:35 AM   #14
tomnjerry
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 31
Default Re: Dust free bedding

Just changing substrate alone rarely solves the issue.

You need to examine all possibilities as Vectis said.

It's usually dust, allergy and ammonia. It's always this 3. Nothing changes.
tomnjerry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:37 AM   #15
Vectis Hamstery
Moderator
 
Vectis Hamstery's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Southampton, UK
Posts: 4,577
Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by snow pony View Post
My RD was supposed to stand for Russian Dwarf as he's a hybrid.
Ah, thank you for clarifying I associate it with recessive dappled!

I hope changing the substrate helps your lad's breathing. My hammies loved Fitch when I used it. I hope he's not white though - it's really hard to find a white hammy who's snuggled themselves in white Fitch!
__________________
Vectis Hamstery is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:39 AM   #16
snow pony
Hamster Pup
 
snow pony's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: Suffolk, UK
Posts: 98
Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery View Post
Ah, thank you for clarifying I associate it with recessive dappled!

I hope changing the substrate helps your lad's breathing. My hammies loved Fitch when I used it. I hope he's not white though - it's really hard to find a white hammy who's snuggled themselves in white Fitch!
No, he's got an agouti colouring so he's a darkish grey. Unlike my Syrian who is cream with cream wood shavings, a nightmare to find.
__________________
Proud Hamster Mum to Ella, Tey and Krypton

snow pony is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 06:53 AM   #17
tomnjerry
Newborn Pup
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 31
Default Re: Dust free bedding

I smell my hamster things after cleaning to make sure there is still scent left. Rinse with water only to eliminate any ammonia.

Hope you find the solution soon
tomnjerry is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 03-29-2017, 11:20 AM   #18
alpacassei
PM Fluffy for custom title
 
alpacassei's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Cornwall, UK
Posts: 1,109
Default Re: Dust free bedding

Quote:
Originally Posted by Vectis Hamstery View Post
My hammies loved Fitch when I used it. I hope he's not white though - it's really hard to find a white hammy who's snuggled themselves in white Fitch!
I'm constantly losing my hybrid Stephano in his Fitch He's so small and hard to find!
__________________
<3 Sunflower Custard, Bigfoot, Petal, Stormy, Flurry, Vanilla <3
___________
Angel hamsters: Francisco, Marcello, Peppermint, Mishka, Stephano, Sundae, Peach <3
alpacassei is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
beddings, dust, dust-free, wondering, wood, bedding, free

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Powered by vBulletin®
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.
Search Engine Optimisation provided by DragonByte SEO v2.0.43 (Pro) - vBulletin Mods & Addons Copyright © 2024 DragonByte Technologies Ltd.
Copyright © 2003-2022, Hobby Solutions
All times are GMT -7. The time now is 07:53 AM.