Hamster Bedding Causing Seizures?

Question

I have a dwarf hamster and I recently bought a different brand of bedding called Hartz Natural Pine. Ever since I've been using this bedding my hamster has been having seizures. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if it is the bedding causing the problem for sure and if this has happened to anyone else with this type of bedding. Also what kind of bedding do you recommend for dwarf hamsters?

Answer 1

they usually have epilepsy like seisures.

Answer 2

DO not use pine!

Answer 3

dont use pine...

use aspen.

Answer 4

I recommend Hartz Natural Pine, especially for dwarf hamsters.

I also recommend you get yourself a proper rodent - a rat!

Answer 5

Obviously, pine is not used anymore for hamsters (though it is still missold in shops) because they can cause wheezing in hamsters.

It has been proved ample times that pine bedding is not good to the hamsters due to the following reasons -

1. Hamster urine can react with compounds in pine shavings to give rise to phenols which can be toxic to hamsters in the long term and shorten their life span

2. Pine shavings have high quantity of dust in them and hamsters can get respiratory infections or allergy by inhaling the dust

Stop using the pine immediately and your hamster would be back to normal.

Aspen shavings and Carefresh are tried and tested as hamster safe.You can also use ripped toilet paper. Make sure that the toilet paper is untreated, unbleached and non fragrant. Don't throw away the empty toilet roll tubes, give them to your hamster as they make good toys for the hamsters to play and gnaw.

Answer 6

Pine & Cedar bedding is extreamly dangerous for hamsters. It can give them respatory problems. You need to change your bedding immeditly.  I buy my hamster Carefresh & it is really safe.

Answer 7

DO NOT USE PINE!!!  its very bad for their respritory systems! care fresh is the #1 ultimate BEST bedding u can buy for all small rodents... it tends to cost more than normal pine bedding. but its worth it if u dont want to come home to a sick hammie. that could end up dying!.. anyways for now on switch to care fresh! good luck...ps if ur hamstr keps having seizers take it to a vet a.s.a.p!