Is there a wood bedding that is safe for hamsters?

Question

So I'm getting a hamster soon. And I always do research on the pet I'm about to be getting. So I bought this hamster beginner kit from Petcetera. It has wood bedding, they are pine. So I found out from hamsterific.com that neither pine or cedar wood is safe for hamsters. Or Aspen, which Syrian hamsters get a terrible reaction from. And Syrian is the kind I'm getting. So I've heard of using shredded paper and stuff, but I don't really care for it, what other wood beddings are there that are HAMSTER SAFE? Thanks. And if there's nothin else out there, then I guess I have no choice than to use paper. Thanks!

Answer 1

You must of read the article wrong. Aspen is one of the most safest wood bedding on the market. More expensive than the average Pine or Cedar but when bought in bulk works out fairly cheap.

Carefresh is another good bedding, it's very absorbent and lasts a long time but it can be very dusty which could irritate the rodent.

I use a mixture of both and have never had problems with my Gerbils.

Answer 2

carefresh, its the best and safest.

wood shavings cause lung issues and eventually death.

carefresh has a very low chance of this and is far softer and more absorbent!

Answer 3

recycled kitty litter (paper based) is good, its nice and absorbant and comfortable for the pigs. ive had guinea pigs since i was 8, (im almost 18 now) and i have 6 currently. i've found that newspaper and shredded junk mail works nicely if you've only got a couple of piggies (unless they have some form asthma - i had a pig like that), or recycled kitty litter. is really efficient. so long as its paper based, plus you can buy it cheaply from th super market. (or at least you can in australia).

Answer 4

Aspen bedding is the best or recycled newspaper pieces.

Answer 5

You read it wrong. Pine and Cedar are bad, but Aspen is the suggested alternative(on Hamsterific). That is why they give you links for places to buy it from. I have a Syrian hamster that uses aspen and she is doing fine. I also have some dwarf hamsters that use it without a problem.

Answer 6

Aspen is the only safe wood chips some but not all hamsters have an allergic reaction to it other wise I would suggest carefresh

Answer 7

it's the oils that bother the rodents...check to see if "aspen aromatic oil free" is ok...but i haven't heard of anything more than what you have listed. better to be safe than sorry!

i have robo hamsters and use the aspen oil free...

Answer 8

Aspen is the best wood bedding.  I have never heard of a Syrian getting a reaction from Aspen.  Pine is fine if it is kiln dried.  I used it for my animals and they have never had a problem with it.  Cedar is bad though.  I don't even know why pet stores sell it.  Carefresh is the best bedding but it is more costly than the wood shavings.  By the way, I do hear that the Syrian hamsters can be really nasty.  There are many breeds of hamsters to choose from.  I just wanted to tell you know incase you weren't aware.

Answer 9

I've never heard of aspen causing problems in Syrians, unless they had allergies. Although wood beddings, even carefresh, can sometimes carry mites or lice. Those types of beddings should be frozen overnight before you use them.

Carefresh is an option, but it can be dusty, it makes my ratty boy Reggie sneeze like mad.

You could try Yesterday's News. That's my favorite.

This is made from recycled cardboard and paper products. It's pretty cheap, and safe for rodents of all kinds. :P I use it in one of my rats' cages, and as litter in the other. It controls odors well.

http://www.petsmart.com/product/index.js...