Shredded Paper, Cereal Boxes and similar things

[StarlightSerenity]

It seems that a lot of people use things like shreaded loo roll for bedding and stuff like cereal boxes, tissue boxes etc for toys. I'm just wondering exactly how safe using these sorts of things actually are?

White loo roll will be bleached to get it that very "white" white, coloured loo roll will use dyes to get it whatever colour it is.

Loo roll holders (the cardboard things) often have numbers, letters etc printed on them (product numbers I assume) as well as glue.

Cereal boxes and tissue boxes arent just carboard - they have a plastic coating on them plus TONS of ink (for the design). Most carboard packaging is the same. They also have glue holding the boxes together.

So, bleach, dye, ink, glue and plastic... Not the best of things for a hamster to ingest, surely?

Sorry if this is a bit of an idiotic question its just something I've been thinking about since looking into getting a hamster.

[fluffymunchkins]

I've used these things for years with absolutely no problems.

Obviously you have to be reasonable with what you use, some cardboard packaging has very waxy coating and should be avoided. I'm no expert so i can't explain it well, but i believe a lot of the ink used is 'safe' ink, as in its non-toxic.

Toilet tissue is completely safe, i think worrying about the bleaching is a bit too much It breaks up very easily and is the safest material to ensure if ingested it wouldn't cause a blockage.
Unless the glue is very noticeable, then the amount is probably very small, it may also be non-toxic glue.

But of course, if you would rather not risk using these that up to you Its just a risk most of us take if we've never experienced problems.
You could maybe contact companies and ask about their packaging materials used?

[SnickersTheFirst]

I have also been using these items for years with no issues.

A majority of ink these days is vegetable ink (eco-friendly) so it's safe for hammies to ingest, most of the time they won't swallow it anyway.

There's hardly any glue on loo roll tubes so it doesn't affect the hamster at all.

With the boxes, make a little tear in them and if all of the colour comes away on one side then it is too waxy and not safe. Cereal boxes and plain cardboard boxes are fine to use.