Choosing a filler for hamsters

Every person wants to have their ideal pet. But sometimes, due to certain circumstances, it is impossible to start a cat or a dog, you need a small, sweet creature. Hamsters fit perfectly into this concept. The small size of this animal allows you to purchase a relatively small living space for it and put it in a place convenient for you. Each animal requires personal care, daily walks, food, water, as well as cleaning the house.

If everything is clear with the first points, then everything is much more complicated with cleaning the house. The main component in the cage, in addition to the drinking pot and the place to eat, is the filler. What exactly is required, why it is needed, as well as its varieties will be discussed below.

In practice, of course, you can do without filler for the tray, but if the animal lives in a cage, it will serve as a kind of rug, the hamster will be warmer, it will not be on the plastic tray all the time, and cleaning the cage will be much easier and more convenient. The hamster is a very small creature, and therefore it is necessary to select the filler based on the size of the animal and the dimensions of the cage.

The main point to be followed when choosing a filler is how much it absorbs moisture and odor. From the selected litter will also depend on how often you will clean and clean the cage. Fillers differ not only in size and characteristics, but also in the material from which they are made.

As mentioned earlier, a variety of goods for pets are now on the market: from toys, various cages and houses to food and medicine. Fillers also have a wide range of items. There are a large number of companies that indicate the specific filler is the best for hamsters for the sake of promoting the presented product. Therefore, for the correct choice should understand its composition.

The first and most logical option is hay. This is a budget option, hay can be harvested on their own, without much difficulty or cost. Hay is useful because it mimics the natural environment for a rodent, because everyone knows that in the wild nature hamsters live in steppes, where there is plenty of grass. It turns out that the pet from the hay will not only house itself, but also be able to eat it, since it is environmentally friendly and safe. Due to the fact that the dry grass is very light, the hamster will be comfortable to dig into it.

There are also disadvantages of using hay as bedding.

1. Due to the fact that the hay may be too dry, it can scratch or injure the animal.
2. Hay does not always absorb moisture (it depends on the type of grass itself), and if it does not absorb moisture, then, accordingly, it does not absorb smell. In this case, the cell will have to clean up every day.
3. If you are collecting hay yourself, it is best to treat the grass before drying, since it can contain dust and dirt.

Universal filler, suitable for all breeds of hamsters, is considered to be sawdust. This is a safe and common option. It is convenient in operation, absorbs moisture and smell, but does not hold it for too long. The cage will have to be cleaned every 3-4 days, which is better compared to hay, when you have to clean the cage almost every day. Sawdust is harmless to the rodent, but only if he does not try to eat them, because in this way he can hurt his cheeks.

The next drawback can be considered that if your pet's hair is thick, long and shaggy, the sawdust is likely to be confused in its wool cover and stuck there. This means that the animal will need to be cleaned and washed. Sawdust itself is very light, and if the hamster is very active, then, most likely, this filler will fly out of the cage, and you will have to clean your house too.

An alternative to simple sawdust will be pressed sawdust or granulated. They respond to higher quality and retain moisture and smell much longer than simple crumbly sawdust. With such characteristics, the cell will have to be cleaned and washed in about 5-6 days. In terms of cost, they will certainly be more expensive, but safety and convenience will be provided to you. But this kind of filler is not suitable for the smallest dwarf hamsters. It will be very difficult for an animal to run on such granules.

The advantages of using this filler are as follows:

• price is a budget option if we consider simple sawdust;
• type - there are large and small sawdust;
• good moisture absorption;
• ease of cleaning.

Among the shortcomings are the following:

• not suitable for hamsters if they are allergic to wood;
• do not completely absorb the smell;
• due to its light weight may fall outside the cell.

The next common filler is corn. Corn filler is considered ideal for a furry animal. The first thing that can be encountered when purchasing this type of filler is its rarity. Due to the fact that it is quite rare, its price is very high. This filler can be purchased only in large cities or to order, via the Internet.

This type of litter has good properties, thanks to which you will not feel sorry for the money spent. First of all, it is a good retention odor and moisture. It turns out that the cage can be washed and cleaned about once every 2 weeks. Moreover, this material is safe. There are no wood components in its composition, which means that the hamster will not get hurt, and nothing will get stuck in its fur.

The next filler, which should stop the attention - it's linen. In the description of the product stated that it will be the ideal option for a hot summer period. Flax lowers the temperature, helps cool. According to the manufacturers themselves, the product is made from natural ingredients: flax is grown and dried by hand, pressed according to a certain patented technology. Environmentally friendly, hypoallergenic and decomposed without harm to the environment. It absorbs moisture up to 5 times its weight, due to which it is very economical.

Cellulose filler suitable for rodents who are allergic to wood. Does not injure the legs of the hamsters, as well as the skin, is not clogged in the fur. It absorbs moisture well, but does not hold it completely; it turns out that you will have to wash the cage about once every 2 days. Suitable for any hamster.

Many, most likely, wondered, is it possible to make their own flooring for a hamster? Of course, you can, as long as everything is safe. The first thing that comes to mind is paper napkins. They can be used as an alternative to wood fillers. They can be attributed to cellulosic fillers. The main thing is that such napkins should be without pattern, smell, ordinary white. A hamster will be able to break the pliable paper and “build” a house for himself. Unfortunately, the consumption of material will be very high.

Vata is definitely a controversial option, so it is chosen at your own peril and risk. If you look from the point of view of absorbed moisture, cotton wool, undoubtedly, absorbs moisture faster than others, but the smell does not hold at all. Another disadvantage is that cotton wool is made of fibers, because of them the rodent can get tangled and damage the legs.

You should not use a newspaper as a filler. And not because the newspaper does not retain moisture. The fact is that the newspaper may be toxic to the rodent. After all, the smell of printing ink remains on paper, and after wetting it becomes even more noticeable, so the hamster is unlikely to want to be in such a cage for hours until the owner deigns to wash the cage.

The newspaper quickly becomes wet from moisture, so you have to clean the cell every day. It does not matter that the layer of newspapers is thick. Hamster will simply be uncomfortable, and the smell will increase each time.

For information on which filler to choose for hamsters, see the following video.