Gerbils & Hamsters/Hamster bedding

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Expert: Heather S - 7/4/2009


Question
QUESTION: I am thinking to give coloured egg carton for my hamster's bedding but would it harm my hamster's health (due to chemical leakage from the unnatural colouring of the egg cartons?
Thanks!

ANSWER: It's hard to tell if it's a natural dye, so my rule of thumb is no unnatural colors at all for bedding.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks
What about tissue (from toilet roll) and/or paper towels for use as hamster bedding?

Answer
You could, they are a safe material, but even paper towels aren't absorbent enough to keep the bedding hygienic. Random moisture is a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. You can use them in a light layer on top of aspen wood shavings or recycled paper bedding (carefresh), but I wouldn't use them by themselves.

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Heather S

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***PLEASE READ EVERYTHING BEFORE ASKING, IT WILL SAVE US BOTH TIME AND FRUSTRATION***

NO, NONE, ZERO, ABSOLUTELY ***NO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS*** I REPEAT NOOOO DWARF OR GERBIL QUESTIONS!I CAN'T answer them, even if I'm the only expert available. I specialize in SYRIAN HAMSTERS ONLY like black bears, goldens, teddies, and more. I'm an experienced breeder and raised hamsters for the past 10 years. I can help with how to buy your first, how to house and care for your hamster, nutrition, showing, and other general questions. I can help with most behavioral problems too. I am the longest running hamster expert on this page, since 2001.
***I WILL NOT answer questions regarding:

No Gerbil questions

No Dwarf hamster questions(Robo and Russian are dwarfs!!)

No Taming questions (too lengthy, too many excellent sites to consult first)

No Illness, Cause Of Death, or "My hamster is dying please help me" I can't fix your hamster. If your hamster has a broken leg PLEASE TAKE IT TO A VET don't bother asking a question to anyone because we obviously can't repair it, we don't like the animals to suffer. If you can't take the time to read this then I don't take the time to read your question and may write you a rude response because your too impatient to read!***

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I have worked with hamsters all my life.

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NONE AT ALL

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