Wilko Edible Vegetable Parchment Pet Bedding
Recently, I bought the Wilko everyday value edible vegetable parchment pet bedding, pictured left, (sorry for the awfully long name!). First of all, I would like to say that when it says it's 'edible' it does not mean that your hamster will eat it, but I will explain that later!
This packet lasts about 3-4 weeks when you change a hamster's nest every 2-3 days. I am very happy that it lasts this long and only costs £1 at Wilkinsons on their website (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com) and in store. I do find that it is very stringy and messy to take out of the bag, and isn't excellent at controlling odours, so I find it best to put a thin layer of Carefresh pet bedding on the base. Obviously, this bedding is only suitable for the nesting area and would not allow you to place toys in the cage if you used it as a bedding for the floor surface. Although it's not brilliant at controlling odours, it does soak up liquids very well, and when it comes the time to clean out the nest, it's very easy to take out in one bundle. To make your cleaning job easier, I do recommend rolling it up into a loose ball when you place it into the nest. Unlike cotton wool bedding, if the hamster puts this material in it's pouches, it will not get stuck or wrap around the teeth, and if the hamster consumes it, it will not pose a risk to the hamster's life (cotton beddings can wrap around the hamster's intestines and kill them. Also, their claws and feet can get wrapped in the fibres). That's why it's called 'edible' bedding.
In conclusion, this bedding doesn't control odours very well and is messy, but soaks up liquids well, is exceptionally cheap, and makes cleaning out the nest a whole load easier. For these reasons, I rate it a:
8/10
This packet lasts about 3-4 weeks when you change a hamster's nest every 2-3 days. I am very happy that it lasts this long and only costs £1 at Wilkinsons on their website (http://www.wilkinsonplus.com) and in store. I do find that it is very stringy and messy to take out of the bag, and isn't excellent at controlling odours, so I find it best to put a thin layer of Carefresh pet bedding on the base. Obviously, this bedding is only suitable for the nesting area and would not allow you to place toys in the cage if you used it as a bedding for the floor surface. Although it's not brilliant at controlling odours, it does soak up liquids very well, and when it comes the time to clean out the nest, it's very easy to take out in one bundle. To make your cleaning job easier, I do recommend rolling it up into a loose ball when you place it into the nest. Unlike cotton wool bedding, if the hamster puts this material in it's pouches, it will not get stuck or wrap around the teeth, and if the hamster consumes it, it will not pose a risk to the hamster's life (cotton beddings can wrap around the hamster's intestines and kill them. Also, their claws and feet can get wrapped in the fibres). That's why it's called 'edible' bedding.
In conclusion, this bedding doesn't control odours very well and is messy, but soaks up liquids well, is exceptionally cheap, and makes cleaning out the nest a whole load easier. For these reasons, I rate it a:
8/10