Sand?

[Krisgoat]

Are there any alternatives to Chinchilla sand for your hammy to bath in? I can only find Chinchilla powder here. I have two dwarf hammys

[Skwee]

I have heard that it is impossible for some people to get hold of chinchilla sand so as an alternative it is possible to buy kiddie sand (like for sand pits) and to bake it on a low temperature in the over bit by bit to kill off the germs and dry it out.



It would probably be better buying a sack of kiddy sand and then just baking as much as you need each time...

[Emma]

If it's the type that the pet shop buys in bulk and then repackages and lables itself, it may be worth having a look at the stuff to see how dusty it actually is. I know of pet shops that have stuff labelled dust which in my opinion is actually sand - in any case it was undusty enough for hamsters.



Play sand can be used as skwee said but sometimes it can be a bit heavy and the hamstere can't really get a good bath in it! But again it's worth actually having a look at what is available.



And there's the possibility of buying chinchilla sand online and having it delivered.

[hammydude]

I used to use chinchilla sand, but because of the cost I just use playsand. I take it and pread it out in a pan and bake it in the oven for 10-15 minutes, let it cool, and then I place it in the hams cage.