Safe bathing sand uk?

[Ria P]

Originally Posted by Cutiehamster2

How is using children's play sand, anyone used this argos one at all? Thankyou
Buy Children's Play Sand - 15kg Bag | Play sand | Argos

A lot of people use playsand but it needs to be washed, sieved and baked. I've never used it myself.

[arnoldshirl]

Originally Posted by Ria P

There is a lot of conflicting information about hamster products so i rely on my own judgement and common sense.

I agree with you on this Ria, relying on own judgment and common sense is without a doubt a Fail-Safe way for the hamster and one's self conscious too. I recently purchased the Play Sand and after rinsing it three times and baking it three times also, I kept experiencing dust. It was several days later is when I found my Roborovski Dwarf Hamster exit her home and saw her right eye was shut. I contacted the local Vet and they verbally suggested over the phone to use a warm salt solution and Q-Tip and gently wipe her eye. I did. Took several times doing this over several days period, but eventually it worked. I also mentioned to them the latest change to her substrate, using the Play Sand, and how dusty it seems. They stated it is possibly the reason of her eye problem because of the dust. Well, my own judgement and common sense had me remove the Play Sand immediately and use Reptifresh white. It is free of chemicals and dyes and she is having no more eye issues and she has already been seen by the local Vet too. Got a good check of health!

[Snowy_Syrian]

No experience of it with hamsters, but I used to use the Argos play sand in my tropical fish tanks. It's non-toxic and natural, but even after an hour of rinsing it still made the water pretty cloudy and would take some time to settle, so I imagine it's pretty dusty.

[Cutiehamster2]

OK thank you very much all, and arnoldshirl sorry to hear about your robo, but glad they have recovered
has anyone used this sand https://www.petsathome.com/shop/en/pets/desert-sand-5kg at all? It would be much easier for me just to just pick this up if it is considered safe. Whilst I totally appreciate the common sense thing I can't afford to work my way through a bunch of different sands before I find a safe one! Though of course I'd never give one if I had bought it and thought it was too dusty! Thank you everyone

[sushi_78]

I used to use that desert sand. It's fine, and doesn't need any drying or anything.