Safe Nesting for Dwarf Hamster?

[pennyhammy]

A while ago, I bought some nesting for my hamster from Walmart, and she seemed to really love it and made use of it immediately. However, when I was going to buy her some more of a different brand, I noticed it said it was not safe for dwarf hamsters on the packaging. So I googled it, and now everything I am reading makes it seem as if all the nesting options are in some way unsafe for my hamster.

What kind of nesting material is safe for my hamster? I have tried searching these threads but there are so many and it is confusing to me. Especially since when you buy your hamster, it seems like everything the pet store tells you and offers to you ends up being wrong or in some way unsafe. My hamster is about one and a half years old and I just want her to be happy and comfortable for as long as possible.

Thanks for anyone who can guide me!

[Ria P]

Hello and welcome to HC!

The fluffy cotton wool type nesting material is unsafe because hamsters can get their toes tangled and it can cause internal blockages if ingested.

Paperbased substrate like Kaytee clean and cozy or Carefresh is good for building nests as well.

Plain white unscented toilet paper torn into strips makes excellent nesting material and hamsters love it. Leave a big heap outside the house or anywhere in the enclosure and your hamster will help herself to it.

Unfortunately, pet shops do give out outdated and sometimes downright dangerous advice. They sell small cages, tiny wheels, scented wood chips, sugary treats, hamster balls and the list goes on. That in itself gives out a good indication of their intentions which is profit, sadly at the expense of the animals they cater for.

[AmityvilleHams]

Pet shops are, unfortunately, a very poor source of information as well as pretty much always carrying unsafe products. It's sadly not even just a hamster specific issue as I've seen it over and over with products for all different kinds of pets - just a few being parrots and reptiles as well as even the incredibly common cat or dog.

Cotton nesting material is extremely dangerous for the reasons Ria P has already stated. Kapok fiber is also completely unsafe for the same reasons, and I've also seen a similar type of product from bamboo fiber that is also equally completely unsafe. Unfortunately I've noticed companies trying to use the term "natural" in order to seemingly convince consumers that something is automatically safe because of being from a natural source. Natural doesn't automatically mean safe!