Can you use regular cotton balls in you hamsters cage?

Question

I wanted to know because that cotton stuff at the store is so expensive!

Answer 1

NO!!! they like to stuff things in there cheeks and it could pose a chocking hazards! pay money for wood shavings.

Answer 2

use wood shavings instead. they like it better and can dig in it, like they would be able to do in the wild. just dont buy a pine smelling one it can be bad for their lungs.  

Answer 3

Definitely not.

The fibers in cotton balls are indigestable. So if your hamster eats them it can cause SERIOUS problems.

If you don't want to buy the nesting stuff, use something like newspaper, old socks, or toilet paper for nesting material.

EDIT: The things above do need to be replaced regularly, but I have personally had a hamster die due to ingesting cotton. The fact that your hamster hasn't eaten it doesn't mean hers won't. It isn't worth the risk to use it.  Also, the special "nesting" cotton actually is different in texture and presents less risk of choking and entanglement than regular cotton balls, although I still think it's better to just use paper products.

Answer 4

yes, i think it is fine for my hamster. i have had cotton in the cage to make nests ON TOP OF THE BEDDING for everyone who doesn't get it. i heard that i causes another respiratory problem. i haven't actually experienced it in any of my hamsters or gerbils. i was looking at that nesting fluff and its just a waste. it is only cotton pulled to make it look better with added colors mixed through. I have also tried other things like listed above. the nest always fell apart for the newspaper and toilet paper. the hamster doesn't actually eat the cotton anyway. cotton will work fine.

Answer 5

Nooooo, it's highly dangerous for your hamster and any other rodents as a matter of fact. It doesn't tear very well and if accidentally swallowed the hamster could choke or get it tangled up in his organs.

Give him some toilet paper or paper towel to shred if you'd like to let him make a comfy nest.

Answer 6

I don't exactly know what you're talking about, but I use wood shavings in my hamsters cage.

Answer 7

DO NOT!!!!! NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO NO

DO NOT DO IT!

Answer 8

That wouldn't be a good idea.  And actually the cottony stuff they sell in the pet stores isn't actually good for hamsters either.  If they eat it they can become impacted (blocked up) which is really dangerous.  They can actually also get it wrapped around their legs and if you don't notice and help them they can actually end up losing the leg.  It's best just to use something such as carefresh bedding.  

giving them toilet paper like someone above suggested is a really good idea if you're looking for something your hamster would have fun with. I used to strew tp around my hamsters' cages while they were sleeping during the day, and when they woke up they would go crazy pulling it all down and taking it to make nests with.  They LOVED it!