How to move to new cage and substrate choice

[Bertiebobbins]

I want to move Bertie to his new cage as soon as it arrives later in the week - will he be ok if I just transfer the contents of his current cage in there and leave him to it?

Also - I've got paper pellets (back2nature) as substrate at the mo, I looked at the substrate poll thread and saw that no one at all was using it - just wondered if there's a reason it doesn't seem popular and what I could maybe mix with it? I can't use shavings because of my own allergies. Thanks!

[Jen250]

I'm allergic to wood shavings as well. I already had a ton of it, so I'm slowly changing over to Fitch, which seems to be completely dust-free and doesn't set my allergies off at all.

[cypher]

Everyone's allergies are different so it's hard to know what you might react to or not, I've found the hemp from zooplus good but I know some people react to that too, Fitch is a pretty safe bet & Cosi n dri seems to be gaining in popularity now, haven't tried it myself but I'm tempted!
I've never used pellets but I wouldn't think they'd be that soft or good for digging or burrowing so maybe that's why not many people use them, just guessing there though.

Bertie should be fine if you move substrate, nesting material & toys from the old cage to the new one, try to keep things as familiar as possible, sometimes they do take a while to settle again but I'm sure he'll soon make himself at home.
Just stick to spot cleaning for a while & try not to disturb the cage any more than you have to while he adjusts.

[Tildauk]

I have bought some but haven't used the Fitch yet as I am trying to limit the changes my new rescue ham has each day and she has some hemp stuff from zooplus (which to be fair my ham seems to like digging though and even sleeping in but it smells more than I would like, the care fresh I put in to one are of the cage she seems to really not like) at the moment but the fitch looks really good and is really cost effective.

[Emma_]

I moved Theo into a bigger and better cage last Wednesday and he settled in really well! Just ensure that his nest is in the new cage and like Cypher said try and keep things in similar places I also mixed some of the old substrate into the new so there was familiar smells around
I left him to settle in for 2-3 days and just spot cleaned him every couple of days

[racinghamster]

For me, Fitch in the 10kg or 20kg bales is great value and worth looking into. It`s safe, it`s white in colour, so easy to spot any blood on and it`s allergy free.

cypher mentioned Supreme Cosi n Dri. I have recently purchased this in the 8 Litre bag and having had two bad run in`s with their other product Carefresh, this product is far superior. It expands, it`s very soft and dust free, although you can see some fine cadis if you hold it to the light while mulching it up by hand, but it`s nothing to worry over. I wouldn`t touch it otherwise.

A friend of mice can`t use hemp either as she has allergies, so I can fully appreciate why some owners can`t use hemp or wood shavings, but these two alternatives are very good. The Fitch is probably better value for money long term depending on what your budget is.

bertiebobbins, switch everything (substrate and nesting) and your hammies accessories into the new cage and try to keep the layout the same where possible. If you find any damp bedding , smear it along the new cage base to make it smell like home! Sounds yucky I know but your hamster likes his own scent! making the transition into a new cage wil cause some excitement/stress, but you can minimise this by taking these steps and as you say, let him get on with it. x

[Shannonmcn]

I've heard of people using the back to nature pellets for long haired hams as it doesn't get caught or tangled in their skirt so if it works for you then I don't see why you couldn't keep using it. It's maybe not the best for burrowing is the only thing.

Some people seem to be having trouble sourcing Fitch at the minute, they are low in stock or something so if you can't find any now don't worry too much, that situation should resolve itself soon. Megazorb is another paper based bulk bedding you could look it, or if you look at local horse bedding suppliers you might be able to find something cheap, shipping is sometimes as expensive as the bedding. Aubiose is a bulk hemp bedding, I use a similar one called Hugro hemp I order online from zooplus that I like a lot. The bulk beddings are the best value for money, otherwise cosi'n'dri or carefresh are fine though some people do find the natural a bit carefresh dusty.

[Piebald]

Originally Posted by racinghamster

A friend of mice

A friend of mice is a friend indeed.