Do you recommed I change my hamster's bedding right now?

[Pastacat]

I know I am frequenting this forum too much, but I have a lot of questions.

So, the store I bought Topaç, my hamster, sold me pine bedding, which is unsafe for hamsters. I had ordered online from another store 60 litres of spruce and fir bedding(Chipsi classic) and it was delivered to me today. I wanted to immediately change it, but my mother is insisting that I wait at least a week for it to get dirty. I'm planning to wait until night when Topaç wakes up and change the bedding then, but would it be bad for his health to wait?

 

[Maz]

Hello. You can never frequent this forum too much Ask whatever you want. We love talking about hamsters and their needs

To be honest, waiting another week probably wouldn't do much harm. And helps keep the peace

 

[Lovelyness]

When I got Blosssom, I did the same! When I did change over bedding, I didn’t remove it all at once to avoid stressing her out. I left some bedding with her scent on and gradually added Kaytee paper bedding until the pine shavings were phased out over time

 

[Socks' Mum]

Congratulations on your new hammy, Topac

 

[ilguy]

Normally you don't want to make changes frequently or so soon, but it's for your ham's safety. I'd change it out right away as it can cause respiratory issues, especially in younger or older hams

 

[Pastacat]

Normally you don't want to make changes frequently or so soon, but it's for your ham's safety. I'd change it out right away as it can cause respiratory issues, especially in younger or older hams

I'm worried about him dying from stress. He is still demonstrating stress behaviors, like climbing the bars and biting them, but I am worried it is because there isn't enough bedding in his cage. So, I am worried that
a)If I change his bedding before he gets used to his new home, he will most likely get stressed because of changes
b)If I dont change his bedding, he will most likely get stressed because of minimal bedding and get a respiratory infection.

I might be overthinking this, but I am really not sure about this.

 

[Maz]

Hi. Try not to worry too much. What cage is he in? It's more the size of the cage and having places to hide that matters so they settle, although obviously deeper bedding can help. It is actually quite normal for them to climb the bars the first couple of nights, while they're exploring every inch of the cage and seeing if there's a way out. After that they don't usually bother when they have other things to do.

Does he have a large house that's dark inside that he can retreat to? And a big pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper in the cage somewhere? They like that for nesting, and will sometimes pouch it and take it to their nesting area. Or maybe even just push it all to one corner and sleep under it

If you have a photo of his cage and set up we might be able to suggest some tips. It won't be just the bedding.

 

[Lovelyness]

What other toys/enrichment do you have in the cage? Natural chews and a dig box for foraging can help with climbing and bar biting.

 

[Lovelyness]

My girl started off with pine shavings and was a bar climber and biter to start with…she lived a long and happy life, so try not to worry. You are doing absolutely the right thing by asking questions and making better choices for Topac

 

[Maz]

I think you said it was the Ferplast Criceti 100 before, is that right? He is probably trying to see if there's a way out. Once he's found a comfortable place to nest he may be more settled. Also do you scatter his food or put it in a bowl? You could maybe do half and half so he can forage for his food. The other reason they can get like this is if they don't have a wheel or the wheel is too small. They can't burn off energy without their wheel to run on. Has your wheel arrived yet?

 

[ilguy]

I'm worried about him dying from stress. He is still demonstrating stress behaviors, like climbing the bars and biting them, but I am worried it is because there isn't enough bedding in his cage. So, I am worried that
a)If I change his bedding before he gets used to his new home, he will most likely get stressed because of changes
b)If I dont change his bedding, he will most likely get stressed because of minimal bedding and get a respiratory infection.

I might be overthinking this, but I am really not sure about this.

View attachment 11196

You should change the bedding now, it's better for your ham's health and stress. Respiratory infections are no joke and hamsters health can turn on a dime unfortunately. There's zero point to doing it later, you will just be stressing them then and starting them all over when it comes to settling in.

 

[Maz]

That's a point ilguy. It's difficult to know what would be best at this stage. Letting him try and settle and then changing it in a week, or increasing his stress by changing it now while he's trying to settle. It's not easy. Ilguy has a point that maybe the bedding is quite strongly scented? But it doesn't normally affect hamsters like this. It's maybe more that there isn't a lot of shelter in his cage perhaps? Or he doesn't have a wheel?

 

[ilguy]

That's a point ilguy. It's difficult to know what would be best at this stage. Letting him try and settle and then changing it in a week, or increasing his stress by changing it now while he's trying to settle. It's not easy. Ilguy has a point that maybe the bedding is quite strongly scented? But it doesn't normally affect hamsters like this. It's maybe more that there isn't a lot of shelter in his cage perhaps? Or he doesn't have a wheel?

Longer uninterrupted period of time to settle in, plus it won't associate the human with upending everything just as the ham is getting comfortable.

 

[Maz]

I know - it is difficult. I'd just be concerned as new baby syrian hamsters can be prone to wet tail with too much change and stress all at once. Maybe just adding a nice big pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper would help for now. I'm trying to think what I would do. But hamsters have been left for much longer with unsuitable bedding and been fine.

 

[Lovelyness]

I changed Blossom's bedding over gradually which worked well for her, while adding in more enrichment. Its a fine balance to strike.

 

[Pastacat]

I think you said it was the Ferplast Criceti 100 before, is that right? He is probably trying to see if there's a way out. Once he's found a comfortable place to nest he may be more settled. Also do you scatter his food or put it in a bowl? You could maybe do half and half so he can forage for his food. The other reason they can get like this is if they don't have a wheel or the wheel is too small. They can't burn off energy without their wheel to run on. Has your wheel arrived yet?

Yes, it's a ferplast criceti 100. I scatter one tablespoon and put another tablespoon of food to his food bowl. My wheel hasn's arrived yet. It's due to arrive between later this month and early november. For now, he has a temporary wheel that he sometimes climbs on, but does not really run in. I think it's because he did not have a wheel back in the pet store.

 

[Pastacat]

Hi. Try not to worry too much. What cage is he in? It's more the size of the cage and having places to hide that matters so they settle, although obviously deeper bedding can help. It is actually quite normal for them to climb the bars the first couple of nights, while they're exploring every inch of the cage and seeing if there's a way out. After that they don't usually bother when they have other things to do.

Does he have a large house that's dark inside that he can retreat to? And a big pile of torn up strips of plain white toilet paper in the cage somewhere? They like that for nesting, and will sometimes pouch it and take it to their nesting area. Or maybe even just push it all to one corner and sleep under it

If you have a photo of his cage and set up we might be able to suggest some tips. It won't be just the bedding.

I attached a picture of the cage below. He's asleep in his paper towel roll as usual. The colorful things are chew toys.

I will try the toilet paper thing.

 

[Socks' Mum]

I think the important spot is where he sleeps. You could make a little house out of a shoe box and put paper bedding under it to a good depth. He should head in there at bed time (although hamsters can be otherwise and stay in the old bedding You can lift the lid up to see what is going on I made one for Socks and I wasn't sure if he would use it, but he came marching out of it last night You cut out the base and hammy can tunnel under it and make a nest. The box keeps the nest dark and secluded with a little door at one end.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Then you can take the woodshavings away gradually. Maybe put cardboard partitions up to hold in the new paper bedding or just push the woodshavings out the way.

 

[Socks' Mum]

Socks' shoebox house