Safe Bath Sand?

[Sensei3456]

Hello, ive been looking around for a safe bath sand to use for my hamsters and unfortunately nothing i have found is available in Canada. So I was just wondering what are the main factors to look for in a sand to ensure its safe for my hamsters?

[velma]

Hi, you've probably already seen on other threads that chinchilla sand is usually (but not always) fine. Chinchilla dust is a definite no no, as is any sand that is too dusty. But it can be difficult to come across suitable sand in some areas. Children's play sand however, is absolutely fine. You just need to sterilise it first - spread some out on a baking tray or something similar and bake it in the oven to dry it out. And it's easy to find in toy shops and that sort of place. Also, it's pretty cheap!

[WinnieTheHam]

Reptile sand (without any additives, like calcium) is fine to use, you just need to make sure it isn't really fine, because if it's too dusty and fine it can cause problems like respiratory infections.

Like velma said, Chinchilla sand is fine (not chinchilla dust), and so is play sand if sterilized.

[cypher]

I may be wrong but I think you can get the Supreme Science Chinchilla Bathing Sand from Amazon in California.

[AmityvilleHams]

I'm almost certain cypher is right,but if not there's definitely the option of sterilizing children's play sand.I'd stay away from reptile sand in general by the way,it's known in the reptile community for causing breathing problems and impaction and things.Too big of a risk,at least in my opinion.

[oddlyoblivious]

Originally Posted by cypher

I may be wrong but I think you can get the Supreme Science Chinchilla Bathing Sand from Amazon in California.

Thats the stuff I have. Not dusty but super soft. I spent a while playing in it when I was filling up the sand bath. I'd take a bath in that stuff too!

[Pebbles82]

I've heard that about reptile sand too. There are so many varying views on sand and I didn't know there were so many different types of sand until I looked into it more. Some people are very anti silicates in sand and both childrens play sand and chinchilla sand can have that. In the end I stuck with the Supreme Chinchilla Sand as most people have used it without issue.

[AmityvilleHams]

It's really confusing especially when you have pet shops for example misinforming new pet owners by showing reptiles in enclosures with reptile sand I'd imagine it to be just as bad for small pets,so it would have to be a dust free sand that is not sold for reptiles but is instead a reputable small animal bath sand or children's play sand.

[Pebbles82]

This is the Supreme Chinchilla sand on Amazon.ca but it does seem expensive.

https://www.amazon.ca/Supreme-Scienc...hinchilla+sand

In which case you might be better getting childrens play sand - but it needs baking to sterilise it I believe.

You could try your hammy with it. Ours actually wouldn't use a sand bath and kicked all the sand out and replaced it with bedding, turning his sand bath into another cosy nest lol. So I just use it for his potty (he still kicks it out and replaces it with cosy bedding in his potty too lol).

[oddlyoblivious]

Originally Posted by Serendipity7000

This is the Supreme Chinchilla sand on Amazon.ca but it does seem expensive.

https://www.amazon.ca/Supreme-Scienc...hinchilla+sand

In which case you might be better getting childrens play sand - but it needs baking to sterilise it I believe.

You could try your hammy with it. Ours actually wouldn't use a sand bath and kicked all the sand out and replaced it with bedding, turning his sand bath into another cosy nest lol. So I just use it for his potty (he still kicks it out and replaces it with cosy bedding in his potty too lol).

Charlie's such a funny ham. It does lean on the expensive side but if you have a good sieve you can sift out the inevitable potty gunk that will wind up in there. Play sand is definitely the cheaper option, but be sure to sterilize it.