green coloured paper safe for hams?

[2LittlePuds]

So i saw some pictures of biscotti's natural setups and i LOVE them. Green crinkle paper is used in them and i really love the look, however looking online i cant really locate anything similar in the uk. So i had the idea of making my own sort of crinkly stuff with sheets of green paper. I started making it but then wondered if this is even safe? I know hams cant have coloured tissue paper.

Is it safe for me to use plain green paper to shred and crinkle? If not then is there anything that is safe that gives a similar effect? Im just after dotting bits about the cage to give a splash of green here and there.

[humfry]

As there is no way of knowing what dyes or chemicals have been used to produce coloured paper I would not give it to a ham. Better safe than sorry. This is really about how it looks to you - the hamster won't give too figs for the aesthetics of their home. You could make some vegetable dyes yourself in which to soak sheets of undyed/unbleached paper then leave it to dry before shredding it or scrumpling up. If you google for natural plant dyes you should find suggestions of what will produce green. Don't be surprised by what colour you can get from certain plants or leaves as it is not always what you expect. And of course check for toxicity of plants as some may be unsafe if eaten.

[2LittlePuds]

Noone else have an opinion? Ive seen quite a few setups using green crinkle paper?

[Willow Wisp]

I think the crinkle papers you have seen on peoples setups here are the carefresh crinkles I don't think that's available here in the UK
I wonder if normal shredded paper even with a safe dye wouldn't be a little hard?

Edit, I found this on one of the bird sites I use
http://www.naturalbirdco.co.uk/oursh...aper-100g.html

[2LittlePuds]

Thats what im after but in green lol (fussy i know!)

I was thinking could paper be dyed with a tiny tiny bit of food colouring gel and water then dried out?

Ive seen videos on YouTube of people making coloured bedding with toilet paper in a similar way, just not sure if this is safe.

I really only wanted it as an alternative to hay but the more i read, the more it seems hay is actually ok if you get the softer stuff and remove any sharp bits.

If green paper isnt safe then i think i might just try hay

[NiceCrocs]

You can make your own, but make sure to get vegetable based dye rather than alcohol based, if you can.

I once heard that if you wet the colored item and the color doesn't run, it's safe for hamsters. I don't know how true that is, but I'd imagine things like children's construction paper would be safe, as items made for children are generally made with non-toxic materials.

[NiceCrocs]

Also, Timothy hay is safe and some hamsters really like it: as you said, just remove the sharp bits. I test it by squeezing a handful of it, and if it pokes my hand anywhere, I remove it.

[2LittlePuds]

I have a ton of childrens green construction paper that i were originally planning on using. Will do a water test on it

[2LittlePuds]

Would meadow hay be ok? Ive read its softer than timothy hay?

[NiceCrocs]

Meadow hay is usually just generic hay, but it's fine too just be careful for any sticks or other debris; Since meadow hay is generic they're less picky about what goes into the bag. Otherwise, go for it!