Is natural cotton dangerous for hamsters?

Lumi · 03-15-2020, 03:41 PM

I have heard about how store bought cotton is dangerous for hamsters for many different reasons, but I have never heard anyone talk about natural cotton.

I usually give my hamster pods with cotton inside which she loves because she gets to chew on the pod and destroy it to be able to get the cotton which will keep her warm in her bed and I have always thought that this is safe but after reading a bit into store bought cotton I'm not sure if the natural one is going to be any different.

Any thoughts on this?

LunaTheHamster1 · 03-15-2020, 03:59 PM

No, I don't think they are considered safe even if they are 'natural'. I think because it can still get tangled around their little limbs and if ingested it is not soluble so could get tangled up inside them causing them problems. I would avoid if possible.

Pebbles82 · 03-15-2020, 04:34 PM

Sorry no - general consensus has been that they are not safe, even if natural. For the reasons Luna gives. The safest nesting material is plain white toilet paper, torn into strips and they are happy with it. Pouch it and take it to refurbish their nest.

In a way the cotton is almost as bad as fluffy bedding. Hamsters instinctively forage and will go for anything nice and soft and fluffy whether it's good for them or not!