Substrate

pinkneon · 03-06-2016, 04:59 PM

I have a question about the different substrates. Just wanted to know which people use, and what are the best for odur control? I have got a Maxi Duna cage coming tomorrow (YAY!) and apart from the bars at the top it's all plastic. Last time I had a plastic cage it seemed to smell more, even though I cleaned it out the same as I usually did. So I wondered which ones were good?

I also want to ask about this : Bob Martin My Little Friend Softwood Bedding Bale, 3.5 Kg: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies ... I have checked and checked both on packaging and their website, so am unable to tell what it's made of. It's not dusty like sawdust is, and it is classed as woodshavings, but I want to know if it will be ok to use? I think I used it (or similar if not that brand) with pretty much all hammies, except one or two, or they had it as well as something else. We always used it because it's easy to get hold of, relitively cheap and is good at odur control, however I know people say you shouldn't use it, so I wanted to ask so I can decide what else to use ... (I will admit I had actually bought some the other day from the supermarket, but they're not open so don't have to use them!)

Pebbles82 · 03-06-2016, 06:33 PM

Other options are Fitch, Carefresh, Aspen, Finacard, Hemp. I think people say Snowflake shavings are good ones. If you get the shavings, you could sieve them to get any dust out.

I don't find I have a problem with odour with using a potty litter tray and deep substrate (the Fitch). I think the key is the potty training then the rest of the cage stays mostly dry

pinkneon · 03-06-2016, 06:39 PM

Yeah. Love it when they get potty trained. Out of all the hamsters I've ever had, only ONE ever used the toilet! All the others either ignored it or stared at it evilly!

Thin Lizzy · 03-10-2016, 06:33 AM

I was using Bob Martin's up until almost 3 weeks ago, had used it for years and the last batch I got I was going through it removing any sharp bits - there's always some but, this batch had loads and I had loads of small cuts on my hands and decided that it wasn't going in my ham's cage. I've changed to CareFresh Ultra and what a difference.

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 06:44 AM

Thanks. I asked in the pet shop the other day about carefresh. She said they had something similar, but I took a look at it and I have no idea what it was! I can't remember the name either. It was grey and looked like a cross between paper and cotton wool. It also seemed to have dust in it! So I didn't get any. Carefresh is quite expensive, but until I get my own place I might have to use that, as there's no room here to store fitch or finacard ...

pinkneon · 03-10-2016, 08:40 AM

Is this the same as Carefresh?
https://www.thepetwarehouse.co.uk/sm...g-8-5ltr-p4772

cypher · 03-10-2016, 08:42 AM

Tumblefresh has smaller pieces than Carefresh, I only got it once quite a long time ago but I would say it was even dustier than carefresh!

Pebbles82 · 03-10-2016, 11:08 AM

I tried it - it was horrible lol. Much dustier than Carefresh. I think Fitch is better than Carefresh too as it has no dust. It's just made from food grade paper. It works out really cheap as well.

flowerfairy · 03-10-2016, 11:51 AM

Another vote for fitch here. Lovely and soft and comes in lovely big bales so lasts ages.

Fluffagrams · 03-10-2016, 12:10 PM

Some people suggest airing wood shavings in a large box prior to use to reduce the chances of irritation however some hamsters (and humans) still have issues with it.

I used to use Carefresh and found that I needed to change it less often than wood shavings however it was fairly expensive and the 'natural' one had an odd smell.

I currently use Fitch which my hamsters seem to like and it's not too pricey when you consider the size of the bale.