CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/23 16:18I will be getting a hedgehog soon, and I've made a decision on everything except bedding. I am debating between carefresh, and super shavings, but I have heard carefresh is pricy and messy, and super shavings is kin dried pine, which I have heard stories about pets dying from improperly cured packages. I don't think I want to use yesterday's news, as it too seems pricy, as well as heavy. What should I do???
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CThogs
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/23 16:44All bedding can be messy-or not. Depends on how much your hedgie likes to dig, throw it around, etc. If the kiln dried pine is done properly it will not be sticky. I've used both carefresh and pine with no problem. You could buy a small package of each to compare for yourself and then decide.Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
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clutterbuster
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/24 08:43I started with carefresh, went to super shavings then had to stop that abruptly when the vet said remove all 'wood' products during her treatment for mites. I SWITCHED TO FLEECE and I am so glad that I did... clean up is so easy, just do laundry once a week. For my little girl she has a a fleece lined tank with little bit of carefresh in the corner for toileting and this minor amount used makes the supply last a very long time. Some use a small tray with kitty litter, others use a paper towel under the wheel or in the corner with great success (Pippi chews on papertowels and cardboard). Just try the fleece and paper towel or carefresh... if it doesn't work then try the carefresh but I now refuse to use the shavings due to many health reasons.
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Spikey
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/24 10:22How many times do you change Carefresh? I'll only have one hedgehog, so how long would the small $5 package last?
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clutterbuster
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/24 12:51I have one hedgehog, expense is secondary to convenience and minimizing smell by doing frequent changes. When I used to use carefresh I found I used A LOT every time I did a total tank change, that small package may only last a week depending on size of tank/cage/bin. I had bought one package and used most of it in my 20 gal tank, then a week later had to use the rest and supplement it with part of another package. But if you invest in fleece (I am amazed at fabric that does not ravel) that is laundered and put just a little carefresh in the corner for toileting that small package you have will last you quite a while. Others have strong opinions on fleece and threads, it's probably better to buy heavier fleece $4.49 yard at a fabric store) rather than the lightweight stuff to save a buck. I have both and notice a difference in weight and quality. I have yet to hear from a real person, not hearsay of someone they've heard of that had a problem with threads around hedgies feet. Once you try fleece, you will wonder why anyone ever uses fill.
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fiki
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/24 21:22Go to Walgreens they have huge fleece blankets - 2 for 10 dollars... and it is relatively thick...
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hedgehogkiwi
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/27 12:30hey uhhh i really wouldnt do ethier my baby girl just turned one so i recomend just news paper bottom with a soft fleccey blanket strips but not for lineing bc it holds more odorshogs&kisses kiwi ♥ jaime
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HamorHollow
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/27 15:19I would recommend strongly against using any printed newspaper unless you are positive that it is a soy based print, and even then it could rub off and discolor the hedgehog.
-KKelly Sosik-Hamor Hamor Hollow Hedgehogs - a New Hampshire breeder, serving Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, Connecticut, New York, New Jersey and any where else hedgehogs are legal. | Do you want to buy a baby Hedgehog? Please fill out out questionnaire. | Hedgehog World - A Community for African Pygmy Hedgehog Owners and Breeders
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fiki
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/27 17:04isn't there something wrong with colored ink as well? like it's made with something that is dangerous to babies? w/e but gl :o
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clutterbuster
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/02/27 17:58the reason why I like fleece is it minimizes odor. when you have a tank full of carefresh or shavings, you are sifting through daily to remove the poop and hope you get the clumps of urine and pieces can sit in there until the total tank change. I change my fleece every day if there's an odor and will do so during the summer, right now it's every other day. In the one corner of the fleece I have carefresh for her to toilet in and that might be helping to absorb the odors but honest, there is no smell... you can not tell I have a pet in my house.
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If you decide to use bedding instead of liners, it is usually easier to tell what you like when there is an actual hedgehog there using the bedding. Try out one, try out the other, try out liners and see what you like and what your hedgehog likes. Ann Connecticut Hedgehogs
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herbiesmom
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/03/01 21:16I use carefresh but I hate the smell of the cheaper brown colored kind. It seems to get a weird odor when the hedgies urine mixes with it. I love the white carefresh ultra. It does cost a little more but I figure if I don't like the smell of the other stuff, the boys probably don't like it either. Although they like socks and armpits and I definitely don't. LOLCyn and Hedgie Boys
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CThogs
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/03/02 14:12herbiesmom wrote: Although they like socks and armpits and I definitely don't. LOL
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Ges, VA
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Re:CareFresh vs. Super Shavings - 2007/08/13 00:47'Dorn also gets CareFresh, we recently changed from the regular one to the Ultra (white stuff).
Firstly, for him: Ultra is VERY soft on the paws and try as I may, he got it in his head that he rather sleeps burried in his litter then anything else I offered.
Secondly for myself. He sadly isn't "potty trained" (yet, I hope!) and has a wee or poops where ever he stands and walks. I can see this instandly and change that affected area. As such, I do not need to change the whole litter every day, I just remove what went messy and top off what I removed.
I am not sure if blankies or the cloth box I have would work for him. He enjoys to burry through his litter at night, so with a fleece I might end up having it all in one corner after a night of 'digging'.
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