Carefresh Nestables

[pinkneon]

Went to the local garden center today and went into the pet section (my main reason for going there!). Wow, what a choice of things they had! Anyway, came across Carefresh Nestables and wanted to ask a few things.

1 - First off, it looks like crinkled paper, but didn't say on the pack what it actually was! What is it, and is it safe?

2 - I noticed it said it was imported from the US. I didn't get it in the end because I remember there was a post on here before about Carefresh in the US having baking soda in it, and the pack didn't have anything on it about what was in the pack so wanted to check if it was likely to have this in?

3 - It came in 3 packs of different colors - one was pinks and blues I think, one was brown and one was dark colors. Are the colors safe? I'm assuming they'd use the same dyes as in Carefresh colors?

4 - How soft is it? It didn't look that soft, but was thinking I could sprinkle some round Sweep's cage if I got some to make it look a bit more Summery LOL

Also, whilst we're on the subject of Carefresh, they had some of the smaller bags of Carefresh (I usually get the biggest bag) but that also said it was made in America. I've never noticed this on Carefresh before so I didn't get any in case it wasn't safe - but now I'm wondering if the Carefresh we get in pet stores here (or even from Viovet which is where I usually get it) might actually come from the US and in that case whether it has baking soda in and is still safe?!

I loved my visit there though. Was a lovely place - though I got pretty lost LOL. However it does sell a lot of pet things so next time I need pet things I will go back there.

If the Carefresh Nestables are safe then I'll get some next time too!

[AmityvilleHams]

Carefresh Nestables are fine I actually have a pack of the brown ones!They're not too soft so bad for nesting,but they can look really nice over substrate especially when you have boring white substrate.

I'd say they're kind of like a crinkly card type material rather than the soft paper most paper substrate and nesting material is.Maybe shake out dust too if there is any in your pack just to be safe,but since the packs are very small and it isn't like having all dusty substrate it might not be as important.

You might be able to find something similar but more suitable for nesting though,but if you only care about it being a decorative substrate topper of sorts it will work nicely.

[Pebbles82]

I've seen people use them too I wouldn't worry about Carefresh being from the USA. They stopped putting baking soda in US Carefresh last year, and any old batches will say something on the bag probably. Maybe it all says made in the USA

[velma]

It's fine. I bought some ages ago as I had a voucher to use. I wouldn't bother with it again particularly as the hams haven't been fussed by it - they much prefer ripped up loo roll - but can add a nice bit of colour to the cage.

[pinkneon]

Great thanks! Sweep will of course continue getting his tissue paoer for bedding (nicely ripped up for him as he doesn't do it himself!) but I just thought it would make a nice colorful addition to the cage, especially as the Carefresh is brown LOL

[pinkneon]

Is "Supreme Twisty Nest" the same thing?

[AmityvilleHams]

I think it's very similar just softer!It would be easy to say exactly what the product is like if I had it in person but the Supreme Twisty Nest seems good too.It doesn't seem to have as much color but it is still an option to think about!

[velma]

I tried some of that too (vouchers again!) and it's a bit different. The paper comes as little tiny folded up squares that, supposedly, the hamster then pulls open into strips for their nest. I thought this was a bit optimistic and I was right. I thought it would give a difffiernt texture for digging but I think my hams barely noticed it! Might be just my lazy hams though Of the two, I preferred nestables.

[pinkneon]

Ok thanks

[Pebbles82]

I tried some Supreme Twisty Nest just for fun - didn't bother to put it in the cage in the end lol - as Velma says it's just little squares and not very exciting I can't imagine a hamster enjoying it and it looks weird lol.