What's your favorite bedding and nesting material ?

carefresh · 03-11-2005, 02:24 PM

As some of you may know I will be getting a hamster of my own soon...someday...just chilling out... waiting for that day...

Well I was wondering what everybody's favorite bedding and nesting material is ... I am almost definitely going to use Carefresh bedding (hence my username

) and then use toilet paper for nesting material.

SnuggleHam · 03-12-2005, 05:44 AM

When I was younger and owned my first hamster and gerbils I bought pine and cedar bedding, usually in large bulk bags so it would be cheaper and last longer. I never knew then that cedar was bad for hamsters, in fact I never even read it was bad in any of the books I had about gerbils and hamsters.

I bought this book called "The Hamster handbook” by Patricia Bartlett, and this is the first time I ever saw the subject of using cedar shavings come up.

Of course after reading this and finding out about products like Carefresh and Yesterday's News I decided that’s what my rodents would be using from now on. I want the best for them and I want them to feel comfortable in their cage.

I buy a brand from Wal-Mart here in the US that is a Carefresh equivalent called Critter Care. It’s about 3.85 US for a 10 liter bag of it.

Since its extra absorbent and fluffy it goes far and it’s great at reducing any smells or allergies.

Emma · 03-13-2005, 05:13 PM

I use wood shavings with shredded tissue paper for nesting material. The Pine shavings widely available in the UK don't have the same problems associated with Cedar etc in the US fortunately. The one time I tried Carefresh I found it quite dusty and didn't like it enough to justify the cost, also the Syrian I was trying it with seemed to like eating it. I know it is quite popular with some owners though due to it being more absorbent (or is that just a convenient excuse for not cleaning out the cage more often

!!!)

RyanF · 03-13-2005, 05:15 PM

Carefresh is also super expensive! That's why I don't use it. I use Aspen.

hammydude · 03-13-2005, 06:16 PM

I currently use Aspen bedding and toilet paper for nesting. I plan to upgrade from Aspen to Carefresh whenever I can get my hands on any. So far I've had no problems with Aspen but I still want to upgade to Carefresh.

SnuggleHam · 03-13-2005, 06:58 PM

I think I forgot to add that my choice of nest material is unsented/dyed tissue,

They seem to love it and it works fine..

Has anyone seen the white Carefresh? Is that died or naturally white in color?

carefresh · 03-14-2005, 05:34 AM

I saw the white Carefresh on http://www.petluvers.com - the description of the product says that it has NO dyes.

SnuggleHam · 03-14-2005, 07:25 AM

I just wondered because someone on another hamster community had said that they recently changed to the white Carefesh bedding and then the hamster started to act lethargic and walking around hunched over.. sounded like Wet Tail and I wondered if there was something wrong with the white Carefresh, but if it's the same, just brighter in color I can't see how that would cause stress in a hamster enough to cause Wet Tail.

Coco1 · 03-14-2005, 09:02 AM

I doubt that would have anything to do with the carefresh. I also use the white carefresh, love it. Its easy to see where they've wet the bedding also as the color shows up! It is free of inks and dyes, clays and chemicals. Is also sanitized to 380 faren. Has extra soft fibers to protect sensitive skin. (so it says!) Nibbles likes it!

Coco1 · 03-14-2005, 09:04 AM

also.... it controls odor longer than regular Carefresh (stated by Carefresh). I've had no issues with odor at all. I clean my tank weekly.