Soil Bedding - To Use or Not to Use

Question from Sandy:

"I just got a pair of pudding hamsters and i bought soil bedding from the pet store in suntec. i see them using this bedding in a couple of cages with hamsters inhabiting them.

But when i surfed around the net, many were saying that it is dangerous to use this bedding. Some say bugs will get in and live in the bedding, some say that it will have a lot of bacteria thus spreading virus, some even say the dirt will go into their eyes and burn the eyes of the hamsters.

I would like to know if what they say is true and if i should change the bedding in case my hamsters are suffering. Hope to hear from u asap"

Hi Sandy,

All beddings have their good and bad points. The key point is to change them regularly to make it hygiene and less impervious for bacteria to attack. Generally all beddings would attract bugs, bacteria and dirt. But you just need to clean the cage regularly and that will be fine.

Regarding the dirt getting into the hamster eyes, it is usually not a concern because hamsters being hamsters are adapted to filter dirt off their eyes with their eyelids.

The advantage of using soil bedding is in its higher absorbency and the "close-to-nature" feel. Hamsters can clean themselves while using the bedding too.

For a small tank, the humidity of Singapore could encourage the formation of fungi. Hamsters can die suddenly from inhaling fungal spores. Hence, they need well ventilated cages. It really depends on the size of your cage and how many hamsters stay in the cage. Perhaps you can show me a picture on that and I can offer you my suggestion. But 2-3 months is simply too long! 1 month is already too long actually.

If you find the soil bedding expensive, then perhaps you should change the bedding. If you're looking for more absorbent ones, you can try compact cat litter.

I can't definitely give you a period of time you have to clear the bedding but I'll just offer some warning signs. 1) If you see the growth of greeny algae, mushrooms, moulds, you must change the bedding. 2) Hamsters would usually pick a spot to urinate, so whenever you see a wet spot, you could just remove it. Definitely must change bedding if you see a huge big wet patch and the top coat of soil feels damp.

The wrong Bedding can KILL your Hamster

In this entry, I'll discuss with you the types of available bedding in the market, and as what the title says, the wrong bedding that you should avoid at all cost. No bargain. At all cost! Read on to find out more.

First, let's take a look at what's available in the market:

1. Wood Shaves
2. Bedding made of biodegradable material
3. Cat litter (yes, your eyes did not betray you)
4. And lastly, the bedding that can KILL your hamster
5. Some interesting natural bedding that you can try to explore

Wood shaves are the most common bedding available in the market. However, there are actually a variety of wood shaves on the shelves. Let's take a look at it.

• - Scented and non-scented
• Do the hamster enjoy the nice smell? I believe only the owner does. I prefer the non-scented type as it is more natural and healthier for hamsters. If you regularly clean the cage, it won't smell so bad.
• - Coloured and non-coloured
• Again, the colour is actually for the owner to enjoy looking at, not the hamster. But the hamster needs to live with the colouring and consuming some colour dyes.

My piece of advise would be to select one that is finely shaved, so as to reduce sharp wood piece to a minimum for the safety of you and your pet.

Next up, Biodegradable bedding. I do not have an accompanying picture to illustrate so just try to imagine. This kind of bedding has the same shape as the cat litter (as shown below). When the bedding absorbs moisture, the bedding disintegrates into powder form. And this powder can be used as fertilisers for plants. I do not know the generic term for this bedding though. This bedding is a very good absorbent. However, the negative part is that if you have a metallic cage, air movement or the hamster might cause the powder to get littered around the cage and make the surrounding dusty.

Third, we have the Cat litter. This is what I am currently using. As shown in the picture below, it is made up of recycled paper.

The good point about this bedding is that it is harder for it to get carried by the wind out of the cage and dirty the surroundings. And also, it is more absorbent than wood shaves. Plus, it is environmentally friendly.

It is odourless and clean.

Finally, DO NOT use any of the following types of beddings for the sake of hamsters and their health.

1. Newspapers
2. Fluffy cotton wool

Newspapers should not be used as a bedding because of the carbon content. The hamster will be licking it and be stained with carbon all over their body. If you like licking the newspapers, go ahead but leave the hamsters alone.

Fluffy cotton wool is often used by naive hamster owners to build a "nest" for their hamsters. There are such beddings offered by pet shops which bear the label "safe". But it is not. Such bedding that cause harm as the hamster can choke on it, and the fibres may entangle the hamster, causing injury to its limbs. The material cannot be digested and when consumed, it will cause a blockage in the stomach of the hamster.

Bedding materials should not cause restriction to the hamster's movement, and should be readily digested by the hamster.

Some interesting bedding materials that you can try to explore

Soft shredded paper (strips or even smaller pieces) made up of undyed and unscented toilet paper or non-printed printing paper. However, this bedding material is not very absorbent and you will need to change the bedding more often.

Hay can be used but avoid straw which is harder and have sharp edges. Of course, the hay should be clean from mould and dust.

Natural soil planted with grass can make a unique bedding.

Clean sand can also be one.