Bedding / Playground

[patnov]

I have dwarf hamsters and some experts have mentioned that dwarf hamsters live in semi desert / sand dunes.

We been pondering at time what is best bedding for the dwarf hamsters, pine shavings...

Have one ever wonder since the dwarf hamsters are found in those sand dunes, why don't we use sand instead and we can get from our beach with no cost and that would be similar to their natural habitat.

Anyone to share my idea?


Thanks.

[zz]

Hi Patnov,

Yes it would be nice but think of it this way... In the wild the dwarf hamster has a big place and they can come and go as they wish. Whereas in the small cage, bacteria will build up and there is always the possibility of introducing parasites when the sand is not sterilised properly.

All in all, pine shavings is by far the easiest and more hygienic way of maintaining hamsters.

If you're still game for it, sterilise the sand in your oven at high heat for 45 minutes, then get it cooled. After that u can landscape the cage and put your hamsters in. Every now and then clear the entire tank of sand and put new sterilised sand in. How?

zz

[patnov]

Hi zz

Thanks for your suggestion, indeed I would try out your method by killing any kind of parasites before putting in the dwarf hamsters, which have never crossed my mind (the parasites).

Anyway, I would sub-divide my 4ft glass tank into few zones where I would put different materials, eg. central area filled with beach sand surrounded by pine shavings; and pebble stones together with few hollow logs buried underneath for the dwarf hamster to dig downwards so that they would be able to hide, rest or maybe build their nest.

Nevertheless, water bottle & accessories would be provided on the surface.

I would monitor their response and may let known to hamster lovers of the outcome.

Bye.


patnov.

[Moa]

Hi,
I don't think you should use beach sand as it will be too sharp for the hamsters sensitive paws. It is best to buy chinchilla dust for hamsters but it is quite expensive.
I have been told you should't use bird sand either, because it is also too sharp.
What you can do to make the bedding more similar is soil. Buy soil without fertilizers in it and heat it in your oven at 180 °C for about 1 hour. Make sure the layer u put in the oven isn't too thick otherwise it will take longer.
The heat should kill most unwanted things such as bacteria and parasites.
Soil is quite cheap and my hamsters really love to dig in it. Because the heating of the soil is a lot of work and time my hamsters just get the soil every now and then. Another negative sideeffect when heating soil is that it stinks IMO while u bake it.
Ciao
Moa

[petcrazy]

Hi All

Here is another suggestion. You can purchase kids play sand for very cheep. It's already been cleaned and no sharp edges. It's much cheeper than the stuff you buy in the pet shops.

I buy the kids play sand for my lizard and I know some of the pet shops here use the same stuff for their lizards and snakes.

I prefer shaving for my hamsters but thought it might be a good idea for anyone who wanted to try sand with their hammies.

bye bye

[Karen]

Hi all. Happy New year! Ya, I saw some lizard sand at my petshop. It was really fine- grained and sanitary. Maybe I'll try some.