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Old 02-15-2021, 11:18 AM   #1
Hamstar97
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Default Litter for litter boxes

Hey everyone!

I just got a Syrian hamster (Valentine/Val), and I want to litter box train her.

What kind of litter is safe? Has anyone used Kaytee potty litter? If I use a paper pellet litter (like day old news) will my hamster eat it?

I already know to not use clay type or cat litters.

Thank you!
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Old 02-17-2021, 07:16 AM   #2
NibblesTheHam
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

Play sand, (undyed) is a very popular thing to fill litter boxes with, as long as it's not dust. Like what you'd put in a sand bath, that type of stuff. You could also just use your normal bedding, one with good odor control though.
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Old 06-03-2021, 01:41 PM   #3
Chicleteer
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

Quote:
Originally Posted by NibblesTheHam View Post
Play sand, (undyed) is a very popular thing to fill litter boxes with, as long as it's not dust. Like what you'd put in a sand bath, that type of stuff. You could also just use your normal bedding, one with good odor control though.
I'm wondering, does this mean one should have two separate sand boxes, one for "bathing" and one for toileting?

I am thinking of getting a new Syrian soon (my first one, Chiclet, passed away about a year and a half ago, and I'm now ready for a new one), and I'm in the process of setting up the cage for the newcomer. What I used for Chiclet was Kaytee Critter Litter, but I suspect it's not really healthy and might be clay-based, although Chiclet seemed to like it and never ate any of it that I'm aware of. I switched over briefly to paper pellets and she was never happy with it, so I switched back. (She seemed to love to scratch the Kaytee pellets.) I was thinking of starting the new one on the paper pellets so she would get used to it, but I do hear a lot of recommendations for sand.

I also had a separate box with sand (I used Tiny Friends Farm sand), which Chiclet would roll around in sometimes, but she certainly kept the bathing/toileting boxes separate in their use.

Long story short: Is two boxes with sand for the two uses recommended, or one sand box and one paper pellet box?
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Old 06-03-2021, 03:31 PM   #4
AmityvilleHams
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

Critter litter and similar clay based litters unfortunately aren't safe as they can cause blockages in the digestive system.

As far as paper pellets go, it's very possible that some hamsters just won't use them due to the texture & being a fairly hard surface to walk on in general.

You really don't need a separate sand box & litter box though - this is something that would be acceptable to add an extra of but it's not necessary!
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Old 06-03-2021, 04:22 PM   #5
Pebbles82
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

You just put a corner litter tray in the chosen pee spot and the hamster should use it. If you put it anywhere else they will probably ignore it, so it needs to be put in the place where they have chosen as a toilet (often a corner of the cage). JJust spot clean the pee area and put the litter tray there with Chinchilla bathing sand in. They usually just start using it but the first time it can help to put a bit of the pee'd on substrate on top of the sand so it still smells like their pee corner.

I think Syrians don't need a sand bath as well. Ours tend to pee in the back corner of the potty and sit in the front bit for a wash. They are less bothered about sand baths IMO whereas robos definitely need a sand bath (and probably wouldn't use a litter tray).

I get these corner ones. If you get a different brand, check the dimensions - some are huge (for rabbits!).

Trixie Corner Toilet, 16cm x 7cm x 12cm: Amazon.co.uk: Pet Supplies
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Old 06-03-2021, 08:33 PM   #6
Chicleteer
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

Thanks, both of you, for your helpful advice! I'm going to stick with using the sand (and yes, I know not to use the dust). I assume it's okay to put it in one of the corners of the cage to begin with, but move it to the hamster's preferred location if it chooses a different pee spot? And then I would put some of the pee'd substrate in it for encouragement, so to speak.

I am so determined to make fewer mistakes this time! Not that I made so many before, but using that former litter was not a good choice, and I know I moved a little too fast on taming (didn't give her enough time to settle in, and got a few well-deserved bites in the process!), and I'm sure I went overboard on treating her with sunflower seeds and pecans (hard not to do when she obviously enjoyed them so much!). But I realize it's a learning process. I'm very much looking forward to this new adventure, second time around!
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Old 06-03-2021, 08:38 PM   #7
Chicleteer
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Default Re: Litter for litter boxes

Oh, and Serendipity, I appreciated the link to the Trixie toilet. I had just bought a new corner toilet today, and it looks very much like that and I believe it's the right size as well. Progress!
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