How often replace sand

[lindie]

How often do I need to completely replace the bath sand?
At the moment I only sift the sand when I clean the cage (so about once a month) after sifting it looks brand new. I never change it completly.  But I was thinking about it and was wondering if the sand ever needs to be completely replaced, and if so, how often? my Degus don’t pee in the sand, they do poop in the sand.  

I have a large aquarium of sand in my girls cage from which I get sand to refil their smaller sand baths. (The small sand baths do loose sand over time) and I refill the large aquarium every half year. But I never throw the old sand out.

[savvy]

I only change mine completely when it can't be sifted anymore. Mine do pee in their baths so it gets a bit 'solidified' in places.

The Hooligans bath is replaced quite often as they tend to scatter it everywhere and pee on the little that's left.

I'd give it a sniff and if it smells fresh enough, just sift and top up.

[bouncy]

Ditto. Just continue sifting it. Only degu owners have a dedicated sieve for this purpose

I have to top mine up every now and then, but I don't replace it all. It has their scent, so a complete change may confuse them.

[laiyah]

Just like everyone else, I sift. It's mostly that sometimes they seemed to have managed to put little bits of stuff and their hair is mingled in there. So I tend to change it every few weeks. I just feel like it doesn't always manage to be fully taken out with the shovel.

It's mostly dependent on how my degu smells and/or how I perceive the sand to be.

[bouncy]

May 12, 2024 13:21:02 GMT laiyah said:

I just feel like it doesn't always manage to be fully taken out with the shovel.

A small sieve takes out fur and other things too!

www.amazon.co.uk/Tala-Small-Stainless-Steel-Sieve/dp/B000TAQOWY/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?crid=2I2MGLENMOYS2&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.ugltpxZdFFJWqzusqE-QYf2oEQmE3cCaJGJhXRdM3ix0dOT_HlkeKhwzwoCVhImhRWHVYKQqIVAKcyjxsSpocZPur8O_H6hxKX6vPp-0oHoMWRZrTXPFiMyJXECb_Pd0ouRvUHeqRAPw0folHsY6Kgu8MemPAMj71GFRkxEKpLe4oDAjVjXF2mqHaQt1gfWMOHm_WuCxsbblgmwUGLZYjg.veDu51ukdy2D5w9pKrKvxSCgk_oqmHWwXnnzTgQCla8&dib_tag=se&keywords=small+sieve&qid=1715597796&sprefix=small+sieve+%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-3

[laiyah]

To be honest, when I used a sieve, it would be too cumbersome due to the metal holes being too small ?

i.ebayimg.com/images/g/DYIAAOSwNCdjtBAA/s-l400.jpg

I use an exoterra scoop. It does take out the hair, but my degus eat their poop inside of the bath sand, so I got micro poop parts. Lol

[savvy]

laiyah I found it easier to tip the sand onto the dustpan, place the sieve over the sand bath and then sieve gently pour the sand through the sieve.

[klbishop]

Ie been doing this wrong for years ! i change every 2 weeks at the big clean ! whoops

[savvy]

It usually says on the packet to replace every couple of weeks, but I do wonder if that's just to sell more sand.