Bedding/substrate

[Veer]

Hi guys,
Glad to see the forum open again!
I Notice that both my hamsters do not dig/tunnel in their bedding.
I have been using kaytee clean&cozy, about 20cm deep bedding, but they only make small nesting spot in their houses with some bedding material, and don't dig at all.
They are about 10 months old and 2,5years old, and never digged in their bedding.
Is it needed To keep providing such a deep layer of substrate? It is very expensive, cause i need 3 bags of 72l kaytee per tank, every 3 months.
i am looking for cheaper options, i also find the Kaytee quite dusty lately.
Would it be an option to use someting like this for keeping the urine and smell:

back-2-nature — FibreCycle UK

www.fibrecycle.co.uk

with on top of that a soft layer for some nesting,
What would be prefered?

 

[Maz]

Hi there. I'm so glad you found us again and rejoined I've reconnected your previous posts with your new account so all as before

I wouldn't use that Back 2 nature bedding personally. Historically there were reports of hamster health issues with it. It's annoying if Kaytee is dusty sometimes (I think batches vary). With an older 2.5 year old hamster, it probably isn't necessary to have very deep bedding. Does she still dig? (I think it's she isn't it? ). That tends to depend on the hamster. I've had older hamsters who still burrow down but then struggle to get up again and seem happier with a bit less bedding and a house and plenty of substrate in the house - easier for them.

Could you maybe mix the Kaytee with aspen or something else? I'm not sure what else is available in Holland.

 

[Socks' Mum]

That's interesting. I've used the pellets as bedding, but they are very hard and get quite dusty once they break down. Fitch is very nice if you can find it where you are. There are small bags of paper bedding available which make nice nests linings, for instance, inside hides. Also shredding kitchen towels using a shredder with clean blades makes lovely soft paper bedding. Socks prized his shredder bedding and used it to line his nest when I gave it to him. It would be worth investing in a hamster only shredder just for that.

 

[Maz]

They are very hard yes, and they have been eaten in the past by some hamsters. I can only assume they don't break down well if eaten. It's just a bedding that has been avoided by most for a number of years.

 

[Maz]

I was having a quick google of hamster bedding in the Netherlands. Can you get Safebed paper bedding? It does seem most people in the Netherlands use Kaytee C&C or hemp. Maybe mixing those two?

How is Ukkie by the way?

 

[Veer]

Thank you, i have tried Safebed before (from Petlife, sold at Zooplus) but
they didn't like it, i am not sure if it is the one you mean?
(I cannot copy the link)

Both Hammie and Ukkie are doing great, thank you for asking.

Ukkie is abouth 11 months old now, he still is a bit shy, and doesn't show himself during the day, but when he hears me around he peeks out of his mch to see if i have a snack.
He is a very big boy, around 53grams and a handfull, he seems happy and healthy to be by himself, he still doesn't like beeing out his tank, so i only have him on my hands in the tank, there he lets me pet him and he is comfortable. He is a sweet shy boy!

Hammie is about 2,5 years old now, still very active and using her wheel, she eats well from her dryfood and i offer her soaked science selective pellets every evening, sometimes she goes for them, other times she ignores it.
Her coat is a bit rougher and messier
now she is getting older, and she has a hairless spot on her leftside,but no signs of pain or itch, so i think just old age.
She maintains a weight around 38-40gr. Has always been somewhere around the 40-45gr. she looks and feels a bit thin, but maintains a steady weight.
She seems bright, active and happy and she seems to be able to last a while longer, i do hope so. She is a very outgoing elderly lady.

 

[Maz]

Hammie sounds like she is doing great for 2.5 years old That is very impressive - so she is getting good care

 

[Veer]

Thank you!
I don't like hemp bedding, have tried it before but it had very sharp bits. Do all brands have the sharp bits in it?

 

[Maz]

I don't know but I wasn't keen either and found the woody bits could be sharp. I think some brands are better than others though. I couldn't use it because it set off allergies.