Pet rats, mice, hamsters and guinea pigs are popular pets. They do not take up much space, but, despite their compact size, they need care and care no less than larger pets.
The Importance of Hygiene
One of the main problems in keeping rodents is the smell. Owners know that most of their wards choose a certain angle in the cage for the toilet. Therefore, to minimize the “aroma”, it is enough to clean wet sawdust once a day and add fresh ones. This will help reduce odor and allow for general cleaning once every two weeks.
A large role in hygiene is played by the choice of filler for rodents. Ordinary snippets of the newspaper will not work here - since they do not absorb the smell well, and the animal itself risks being poisoned by printing ink. Therefore, as a litter for a little friend, it is better to purchase special fillers sold in pet stores. They better absorb the "aroma" of animal life and are completely harmless to them.
Filler Selection
Manufacturers offer different types of filler for rodents. All of them are made of natural materials: wood (granules or sawdust), corn fibers, as well as other plant components, such as hay and sand. Some of the litter have an aromatic fragrance, due to which they skillfully mask all unpleasant odors. However, owners of animals prone to allergic reactions, such products should be avoided.
When choosing a filler, the following requirements should be considered:
- Litter should be comfortable for the animal. Granules will be uncomfortable for small rodents, and large pets will scatter light sawdust.
- The ability to absorb unpleasant odors. An important detail, especially if the house contains several rodents.
- Security. The material of the litter should be only natural and, if possible, not contain fragrances, so as not to cause allergies. It should not dust, as this can affect the respiratory tract of the animal and cause diseases.
Wood filler
Wood filler for rodents is one of the most popular among small pet owners. Small granules made from compressed sawdust have good absorbent properties, absorb moisture and neutralize odors. The undoubted advantage of the product is the possibility of its disposal in the sewer. It is economical to use and has antibacterial properties.
However, small pets, such as Dzungarian hamsters, may not be suitable for such a filler. For rodents of small breeds who like to delve into the litter, granules can create certain inconveniences. Therefore, it is better for kids to purchase sawdust.
One of the most popular brands of wood litter is “Clean Paws”, produced by the Russian company “Ark of St. Petersburg”.
In the manufacture, only natural raw materials are used, which are easy to dispose of without harm to the environment. In addition, this litter has a natural smell, which is important for small animals.
The price of “Clean Paws” is quite affordable, which cannot but please the buyer.
Sawdust
Sawdust is a universal litter for Dzungarian hamsters and other small rodents. For the filler, wood processing products are used, therefore it is completely natural and safe for the health of babies.
The ability to choose a large or small type of chips, as well as a reasonable price, are undoubtedly the advantages of this particular product.
The disadvantages include:
- Ease. Since dzhungariki love to dig, it will be necessary to remove the scattered filler quite often.
- Litter is not very absorbent and is not a leader in odor absorption.
Cellulose
This is ideal for allergic rodents, as it does not contain wood dust. This filler is less popular than wood, and it is much more difficult to find it on the shelves of pet stores. It keeps the smell bad, light, so the animal will constantly scatter it. But it is safe for babies, since it does not get tangled in wool, does not get stuck in cheek pockets and does not cause health problems in animals allergic to wood dust.
Corn
By its qualities, corn filler for rodents is one of the best types of bedding. It perfectly absorbs moisture and completely neutralizes odor. Even in large types of hamsters, cleaning in the cage can be done much less frequently, since the “aroma” appears much later than when using another type of filler.
Small sawdust allows you to use it for very small ones: dzhungars, mice, etc. Lovers of digging in the bedding overnight can dig around themselves whole mountains of corn filler. For rodents, it is absolutely harmless, its legs cannot be damaged on its particles, it does not cause allergies and does not get entangled in animal hair.
The only disadvantage of such a litter is probably its price, which is much higher than for other types of filler, and it can be purchased only in large cities.
Summarizing
Choosing the perfect bedding for your pet is quite a challenge. An extensive assortment can be confusing for a beginner. Therefore, before buying, you should familiarize yourself with the types of hygienic filler, determine which animal is ideally suited. You can also consult with rodent lovers on specialized sites.
It is important to understand that not only the pet’s health and well-being, but also hygiene and smell in the apartment, especially if there are several pets, depend on a correctly selected litter.