i've been using pine bedding for about 3 months now... i've heard that it is bad for hamsters, is this true?
if it is than what other bedding should i use?
(one of my hams. died at about 1 and a half years was it because of this?)
2006-07-26 10:44:07 · 13 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Chances are your hamster didn't die because of the type of shavings you were using, hamsters life expectancy is around 2yrs of age. Pine is healthier than Cedar. Cedar is highly scented and could give your hamster respiratory problems. If you want to go with a different type of shaving, try using Mountain Cat (they have one for small animals), Yesterday's news, Aspen, Hemp bedding.
2006-07-26 10:56:52 · answer #1 · answered by ? 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Pine shavings are only unsafe if the hamster has allergies. When that is the case, the fur becomes thin and the skin is irritated easy. That is when vets recommend changing to a really soft bedding. Kay-tee makes a very soft one. It is expensive but great for hairless rats also. Hamsters can live to be 2-3 years old but it is hard to tell how old they are when purchased at some pet shops. In general, an old hamster dies of some sort of major infection like in the eye and then the whole body shuts down.
2006-07-26 10:53:05 · answer #2 · answered by kriend 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pine bedding is not safe do to the oils in the wood. They increase the chance of you pet having respiratory deseases that are fatal. Some people are lucky and their pets are fine their entire lives, but using pine bedding is taking an unnecessary risk. I like to use aspin bedding or some kind of paper product bedding.
2006-07-27 05:38:56 · answer #3 · answered by confused 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well, from what I read, I don't think so. I know for sure not to use ceder. What you should use is a brand called Carefresh (kinda expencive, but the animals love it!!!) Or you should get a brand called Yesterday's News (WHAT?! ITS PELLETS?!) Even if you use pellets they still love it, I have my hamster Skammpy and she loves Yesterday's News.
And for the quotation question, I don't think so, hamsters only live about 1-3 years, she/he could have died because of old age. I have had bad experience with hamsters that stuff theirselves to death with food, not kidding. But It could have been anything, you never know if the hamster had bad genes in the body or anything.
Good Luck!!!
2006-07-26 12:19:19 · answer #4 · answered by anacacia2002 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pine bedding is safe, I've heard that you should not use red cedar bedding because it has been known to kill hamsters. When my sister had her hamster, she used pine bedding, and he lived a while.
2006-07-26 10:47:33 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I didn't use cedar and I have had pets allergic to pine so I used Carefresh or aspen. I have known hammys to live 3-5 years. May have been sickly but without autopsy who can tell. Not necessarily, don't blame yourself.
2006-07-26 12:03:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
well i had a hamster and i used that stuff and my lived for six years so maybe it was just the hamster i dont know but just go to the pet store and buy a different brand thats what i would do!!
2006-07-26 10:48:42 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
as far as i no, pine bedding is perfectly fine for hamsters, mine are are still alive
2006-07-26 12:56:12 · answer #8 · answered by tiffiny 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to Walmart and buy hamster supplies.
2006-07-26 10:50:56 · answer #9 · answered by butrcupps 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use a recyced paper bedding which is better, and it comes in pretty colors too!- you find it at a pet store
2006-07-26 10:52:08 · answer #10 · answered by Amanda D 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋