Chinchilla sand bath

[dwarfhamstermom]

Hi guys!

I’d like to hear your thoughts on chinchilla sand bath, and this particular brand I’ll be attaching here. I know it’s often advised against because of the calcium, but I’m not sure exactly what’s wrong with it; besides may animal shelters and associations here use it for hamsters. Even so, I’m asking because I want to be sure and avoid any unnecessary risks.

Chinchilla Bathing Sand

Bathing sand for chinchillas

www.versele-laga.com

Thank you!

 

[Socks' Mum]

I think chinchillas need very fine, dusty sand which is too dusty and fine for hamsters as it is likely to irritate their respiratory tract. The added calcium would not be healthy for hamsters as they could ingest it while cleaning their coat as they groom themselves by licking their fur.

 

[dwarfhamstermom]

I think chinchillas need very fine, dusty sand which is too dusty and fine for hamsters as it is likely to irritate their respiratory tract. The added calcium would not be healthy for hamsters as they could ingest it while cleaning their coat as they groom themselves by licking their fur.

I’ve been told it’s not dusty at all. But the calcium thing worries me obviously…

 

[Maz]

If it says sand and not dust it should be ok. At one time chinchilla bathing sand was the norm for hamsters. You won't know till you try it whether it seems too fine and dusty or not. It shouldn't contain calcium - it's usually reptile sands that contain calcium. It's most likely to be sepiolite sand though which these days is seen as not good to use. Having said that I used JR Farm sepiolite sand for years and no issues.

 

[Maz]

This is the JR Farm sand - I found it very good, but it is sepiolite sand because nearly all hamster sand in Germany is sepiolite! In Germany it's seen as ok. But in the Uk now people feel reptile sand without calcium is safer and popular ones are desert sand and natural sand.

Incidentally I noticed Zooplus for Spain has a LOT more hamster enclosure options - which is really frustrating! Quite a few good tank/part barred options including the Skyline Hoppelgarden - which has not been available in the Uk since Brexit!

JR Farm arena especial para chinchilla al mejor precio en zooplus

JR Farm arena especial para chinchilla en zooplus. Superprecios y entrega a domicilio en toda España ► ¡Compra ahora!

www.zooplus.es

Jaula Skyline Hoppelgarden 100 para roedores al mejor precio en zooplus

Jaula Skyline Hoppelgarden 100 para roedores en zooplus. Superprecios y entrega a domicilio en toda España ► ¡Compra ahora!

www.zooplus.es

 

[dwarfhamstermom]

If it says sand and not dust it should be ok. At one time chinchilla bathing sand was the norm for hamsters. You won't know till you try it whether it seems too fine and dusty or not. It shouldn't contain calcium - it's usually reptile sands that contain calcium. It's most likely to be sepiolite sand though which these days is seen as not good to use. Having said that I used JR Farm sepiolite sand for years and no issues.

The thing is a friend of mine got the Verse laga chinchilla sand and her hammy can’t use it because of skin problems and she doesn’t want to throw it away… And sand is quite expensive for us that we got two hammys

 

[Maz]

I'm sure it would be fine to use if it's not too dusty. Maybe just use it for one of the hamsters. Can you get children's play sand? Sometimes comes in very large sacks and inexpensive (in the Uk anyway).