Why are pine chips so bad for hamsters (urgent)

The pet store said it was fine and thats where they kept theirs but I read that pine is bad. I have the cage set up and my Hamster is already in it. Is he okay?? What should I do until I can get aspen?? HELP!

Pine actually isn't all that bad. It has minimal added oils for scent, and is a far cry better than cedar, which you should never ever use. Aspen would be the best choice, but I wouldn't freak out about using the pine in the meantime. The good thing about Aspen is that it has absolutely no added oils for scent and therefore is much less likely to be a contributor of upper respiratory infections.

I would stick with the pine, use it till it's gone, and switch to Aspen. If you're really worried, just keep an eye on the little guy. Watch for goo around the nose and eyes or crusty areas around the nose or eyes. These can signal a respiratory problem. And as always, keep an eye out for wet-tail. It's the number one problem for the little creatures. If there's any wetness or icky bedding sticking to the rear of the hamster, get meds right away. Dri-tail is generally sold at any pet store, and you can even get preventative meds to put in the water. At least once to twice a week, off fresh fruits & veggies (oranges, raw yams, and baby carrots work the best). These help give extra vitamins to keep them healthier and also aid in a healthy digestive system. No more than twice a week though, because you can have too much of a good thing.