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Old 07-27-2021, 06:38 AM   #1
minnieandhammy
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Default substrate that holds burrows

I want to give my Syrian hamster a deep layer of substrate so he can build burrows. At the moment I'm using megazorb but the burrows collapse. i have considered using peat which I have read recommended but I have also heard this is unsuitalble. can anyone recommend something? I'm not prepared to use carefresh as it is astronomically expensive1
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Old 07-27-2021, 08:36 AM   #2
PeanutTheHamstr
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

for me, i use a mix of kaytee clean and cozy, timothy hay and some carefresh! peanut loves it
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Old 07-27-2021, 01:52 PM   #3
kparham
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

Honestly I just use cut up paper towels. They seem to hold burrows pretty well in my experience, and so much cheaper than other alternatives. I actually got this idea from ErinsAnimals on YouTube! Here's the link: The Easiest & Cheapest DIY Hamster Bedding - YouTube
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Old 07-28-2021, 03:11 AM   #4
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

Fitch works out cheaper than carefresh and i think Kaytee clean n cozy does too.
There is also aubiose which is hemp based.
I find mixing the substrates together with megazorb helps tunnels hold slightly better.
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Old 07-28-2021, 03:38 AM   #5
Jeir
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Smile Re: substrate that holds burrows

I've been using teabag bedding for a year or so now, and it works very well. Both my hamsters have nice stable burrows (to the point where I rarely see my robo because she's dug so deep down).

I get mine from here, and at £25 (incl. shipping) for 2x 10kg bales, it works out cheaper than pretty much all other substrates. Not dusty, either (dustiness and the huge price hike is why I moved on from Fitch).
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:04 AM   #6
VOESSY
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

I layer aubiose, soft hay and cut up toiletpaper, holds splendid. Good luck!
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:14 AM   #7
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

LunaTheHamster1 has already given some great ideas so there's not going to be much I can add here, but with substrates and anything going into the cage always be careful of material safety.

Peat and mosses in general are best avoided - safety if consumed is dubious at best and they can lead to mold growth and other problems(moisture related issue).

Tea bag bedding sounds like a great concept in theory but unfortunately it isn't a safe substrate. It can contain tiny bits of plastic which is extremely dangerous. Not everyone is going to have issues with it or notice problems, but the huge safety risk is there and it just isn't at all worth it with so many options that are definitely safe.

With paper towels I would just be cautious of any dyes & such being added to them, as well as making sure they'll easily dissolve in water. You don't really want anything that's going to be holding up great - the cheap stuff that falls apart is safer, while toilet paper & paper towels that don't dissolve easily in water could certainly be a risk for digestive blockages, impacted pouches, etc.

I've personally been using torn up cheap toilet paper for substrate myself ever since I got my rats(another species very sensitive to dust etc). I did have issues in the past using Kaytee Clean and Cozy because despite having low dust claims and being a popular substrate it still ended up being surprisingly dusty(not to mention the hard chunks and other strange things people have found in packs of it).
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Old 07-28-2021, 04:47 AM   #8
Jeir
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

Quote:
Originally Posted by AmityvilleHams View Post
Tea bag bedding sounds like a great concept in theory but unfortunately it isn't a safe substrate. It can contain tiny bits of plastic which is extremely dangerous. Not everyone is going to have issues with it or notice problems, but the huge safety risk is there and it just isn't at all worth it with so many options that are definitely safe.
Not really sure why this is believed. The plastic comes from when the paper is sealed into teabags. The bedding is just the paper before plastic or tea leaves are even involved. It's no different from any other similar bedding.
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Old 07-28-2021, 05:03 AM   #9
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeir View Post
Not really sure why this is believed. The plastic comes from when the paper is sealed into teabags. The bedding is just the paper before plastic or tea leaves are even involved. It's no different from any other similar bedding.
There are other members who can probably explain even better than I can who have done far more extensive research as well(LunaTheHamster1 in particular) - the conclusion is that there really is no way to guarantee safety with tea bag bedding.

Fitch for example is a very different product. Safe paper beddings(not the tea bag kind) are just paper, plastic free, etc.
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Old 07-28-2021, 05:25 AM   #10
LunaTheHamster1
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Default Re: substrate that holds burrows

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeir View Post
Not really sure why this is believed. The plastic comes from when the paper is sealed into teabags. The bedding is just the paper before plastic or tea leaves are even involved. It's no different from any other similar bedding.
To copy what I have said before on here:

I did a lot of research into Tea bag bedding and meant to do a comprehensive post re it but I don't think I got round to it. Here are a couple of threads where we discussed it:

Substrate

Which substrate/nesting material is best?!

Basically, the sealant they use to seal teabags has plastic in it. The majority of teabag companies use this, you will be surprised how many that is and why they can't be put in your compost. Because of this, unless you know where the tea bag bedding is sourced from i.e. a manufacture that doesn't use a sealant with plastic in it or it is bedding that has come from offcuts that is kept away from the plastic sealant area I would not use it. I think there are safer options on the market.

I have not come across a tea bag bedding company that has stated both where they get their bedding from and at what stage of the process. I think I have seen only one that stated a tea company once but it was one that used plastic sealant.

Obviously, we are all allowed to have our own opinions on this matter I think it has the potential to be a great option, but only if the companies are clear on where they obtain it from.
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Last edited by LunaTheHamster1; 07-28-2021 at 05:33 AM.
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