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dedpool · Veteran Member

So I just got a couple dwarf hamsters and I would like to make a badass army fort for them. I was reading online that pine and cedar bedding is bad for them; does that mean I cant make my fort out of either of these materials? or do they not really chew on their houses so it does not matter what they are made of?

Thanks

AirGunEric · Site Admin

It's very fine particulate sawdust in the wood shavings that are "the problem". Because most of these shavings are the leftovers from other sorts of activities (lumber cutting, furniture making, etc.) it appears that no one has been too terribly interested in cleaning the stuff up at the production end.

I don't know how much of a problem this really is for a hamster or a gerbil- they only last about 2 years before they die of old age anyways- so what's a 22 month-old hamster with emphysema that drops dead lost? Two months- sure maybe that's 8% of it's overall lifespan, but not alot in respect to much else.

Beyond that, I don't think there would be any problem if you were making a house out of raw wood- yes they may chew it up- so don't use toxic glue (kids white craft glue is safe- kids sometimes eat it) and I don't think that would create fine sawdust particulates that would harm the critters.

BBGun Bob · Veteran Member

is cat litter or speedi dry for garage floors.No mater what you put in there they will chew.It is there way of controlling tooth growth.
All rodents have this problem thats why they chew up everything in sight.
I think pet shops sell something you can put in there cage for them to chew on to control damage to your hamster house.
Make sure things are easy to remove because you have to change there bedding very often or the urine smell will stink up your home.
Nasty little critters,a cousin to RATS!

Been There with two daughters

BBGun Bob