Question about a change in my Russian Dwarf Hamster's bedding?

Question

As I only have pine right now and can't buy a different bedding until Friday, I want to rip up unscented toilet paper that we have in the closet. Will she like this? I've read online that making a drastic change (I've been using wood shavings since I got her six months ago) in the bedding i.e from wood to toilet paper can cause stress and possibly wet tail in hamsters, is this true?

And I don't want to put bedding in that she isn't going to like.

Answer 1

My dwarfs love using tp as bedding. I throw some in with my regular bedding, they love making nests out of them.

Btw, dwarf hamsters do not get wet tail. Wet tail is something Syrians get, dwarfs just get diarrhea.

Answer 2

no they should be fine, and ditch the pine bedding. use carefresh instead. its more absorbent, has more odor control, and is safer for your hamster

Answer 3

I've heard a ton of bad things about pine bedding, but I've used it for all 13 of my hamsters and I've never had a problem. However, if you'd rather be safe than sorry, I'd say go ahead and put the toilet paper in. I've used the Kirkland brand toilet paper for years to give to my hamsters as nesting material and they love it. Just make sure the paper isn't scented or treated with chemicals. Also, you might want to make sure it's good quality and soft, not the stuff found in public restrooms.

Although bedding is best to use throughout the cage, it's better to have something (toilet paper) in there rather than nothing. Having no bedding will stress your hamster more than having a new type of bedding, aka toilet paper.

Good luck!