Dryer Lint for bedding?

Diane MacMartin

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Apr 24, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/24/96

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I've been saving my fluff from the dryer when I've done mostly
cotton loads (especially flannel sheets - it's so soft). It
SEEMS like this would be great bedding for our hamsters, but I've
never seen it recommended. Any problems with doing so? I'm
afraid the fibres might be too small and breathed in by them.

Diane

Dave Hopf

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Apr 25, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/25/96

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There are felt 'hamster beds' on the market that the hamsters pull
apart to make a nest of,but I would never use them.

I can't prove this but I think that cotton or fabric fluff of any kind
can kill a hamster's digestive system if it is ingested. Many times I
have seen hamsters stuff fluff into their pouches to take to their nest
and some of those fibers will get injested in the process.

Whenever we need hamster fluff, we run a roll of white paper towels
through the paper shreader. We haven't found anything near as good.

If you don't have a paper shreader, just rear off a few sheets of paper
towel and let the hamsters shread it themselves.

Dave
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http://www.pacificrim.net/~ibis/northbow

ash...@nwlink.com

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Apr 27, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/27/96

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> m...@igs.net (Diane MacMartin) writes:
> I've been saving my fluff from the dryer when I've done mostly
> cotton loads (especially flannel sheets - it's so soft). It
> SEEMS like this would be great bedding for our hamsters, but I've
> never seen it recommended. Any problems with doing so? I'm
> afraid the fibres might be too small and breathed in by them.
>
> Diane
>
>
>>>>

I would love an answer to this too. I don't get to read the group very often, so could someone please e-mail me with an answer.

Anne
ash...@nwlink.com

trevor

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Apr 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/28/96

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I'm not sure who wrote the first message, but here goes my views...

I'm sure dryer lint would be fine... IF you don't use ANY form of fabric
softener (tear-off sheets for the dryer). If you do, there are probably
chemicals in them, that will eventually end up in the lint. (You know
how those hammies like to chew up the things we put in their cage? This
would be one of them).

trevor

Amy McGlothlin

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Apr 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/28/96

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In article <Pine.LNX.3.90.960428...@tsquare.com>, trevor
<tr...@tsquare.com> wrote:

> I'm not sure who wrote the first message, but here goes my views...
>
> I'm sure dryer lint would be fine... IF you don't use ANY form of fabric
> softener (tear-off sheets for the dryer). If you do, there are probably
> chemicals in them, that will eventually end up in the lint. (You know
> how those hammies like to chew up the things we put in their cage? This
> would be one of them).
>
> trevor
>
> > > m...@igs.net (Diane MacMartin) writes:
> > > I've been saving my fluff from the dryer when I've done mostly
> > > cotton loads (especially flannel sheets - it's so soft). It
> > > SEEMS like this would be great bedding for our hamsters, but I've
> > > never seen it recommended. Any problems with doing so? I'm
> > > afraid the fibres might be too small and breathed in by them.
> > >

I am sure it would be fine, if like Trevor said, there is no fabric
softener involved. Many people go to fabric stores and buy bags of the
polyfil to use as bedding because it last's so long. Based on that, I
would say dryer lint would be fine.

Amy

Wanrachnee Pienpakdee

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Apr 28, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/28/96

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Diane MacMartin (m...@igs.net) wrote:
: I've been saving my fluff from the dryer when I've done mostly

: cotton loads (especially flannel sheets - it's so soft). It
: SEEMS like this would be great bedding for our hamsters, but I've
: never seen it recommended. Any problems with doing so? I'm
: afraid the fibres might be too small and breathed in by them.

: Diane

Dryer lint sounds like a good idea, but I don't know about the hazards. I
currently use cotton balls.

Marc Roseman

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Apr 29, 1996, 3:00:00 AM4/29/96

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In article <4lk8nn$7...@nntp.igs.net>, Diane MacMartin <m...@igs.net> wrote:
>I've been saving my fluff from the dryer when I've done mostly
>cotton loads (especially flannel sheets - it's so soft). It
>SEEMS like this would be great bedding for our hamsters, but I've
>never seen it recommended. Any problems with doing so? I'm
>afraid the fibres might be too small and breathed in by them.
>
>Diane
>

Yes, with any non-manmade fibers, it is perfectly safe. I have raised
about 10 broods of hamsters, and the babies, momma, and pappa (they
are dwarf hamsters) are all doing great.

The parents go crazy when I add lint, they immediately grab it, bring it
to where the babies are, and shred it.