The Best Hamster Bedding
Hamsters don't ask for much. They're low-maintenance pets that are cute, cuddly, and entertaining. Since your hamster spends most of its time in a cage, it's important to make sure they're comfortable. Hamster bedding gives your furry friend a place to burrow, dig, and bury things just like they would in their natural habitat. With so many types of hamster bedding to choose from, finding the right one may seem like an impossible ask. To help you with your search, we've rounded up some of the best hamster bedding the internet has to offer.
What to Look For
We recommend keeping the following things in mind when shopping for hamster bedding: What type of material would best suit your pet? How well does the bedding control odor? Does the bedding contain any ingredients that could harm your hamster? Our favorite was the hamster bedding from Kaytee Clean, which is 99.9% dust-free and has a fluffy texture ideal for burrowing. We also really liked the hamster bedding from Carefresh, which is designed to be gentle on sensitive feet and doesn’t contain harmful chemicals or dyes. Keep reading to learn more about our favorites and discover the best one for your pet.
Kaytee Clean Cozy White Hamster Bedding
Cuddly comfort
This dust-free, super comfortable bedding from Kaytee Clean is made from plant-based fibers and mimics the materials that hamsters would burrow into in the wild. The bright white bedding makes it easy to spot soiled areas, allowing you to clean them up quickly and keep your pet’s cage clean. You won’t have to do much to combat dust when using it, because it’s 99% dust free. It’s also highly absorbent, which helps control and ensure your pet’s living space is dry.
Pros:
- Free of harsh chemicals, bleaches, and dyes
- Twice as absorbent as wooden shavings
- Light and fluffy
- Excellent value
Cons:
- The bag is not resealable
Carefresh Dust-Free Hamster Bedding
Burrow down
Do your part to protect the environment while ensuring your furry friend has a safe and cozy place to call home with this hamster bedding from Carefresh. The bedding is made from reclaimed fiber and gives your pet a dry, warm place to spend their days. It controls odor for up to ten days, lasting about twice as long as bedding made from other materials. Plus, its small pieces make it ideal for playing, moving around, and burrowing in comfort.
Pros:
- 99% dust-free
- Effectively controls odors
- Doesn’t clump
- Easy to maintain
Cons:
- Bedding pieces vary in size
Oxbow Pure Comfort Hamster Bedding
Clean as a whistle
If you’re having a hard time controlling odors in your hamster’s cage, this hamster bedding from Oxbow is ready to help. The bedding is designed to absorb odor and moisture, helping to minimize unpleasant odors and keep your furry friend’s cage smelling fresh. It’s made using 100% pure paper, so it’s free of substances that could harm your hamster. Plus, the bedding’s soft texture is gentle on paws, providing hamsters with an optimal environment for tunneling, digging, and nesting.
Pros:
- Absorbs six to eight times its weight
- Natural paper bedding
- No strong scents
- Makes clean-up easy
Cons:
- Bedding doesn’t expand very much
Small Pet Select Natural Aspen Hamster Bedding
Cozy and happy
Small Pet Select’s wood shavings are an excellent option if you’re searching for an all-natural, comfortable bedding for your hamster. Its only ingredient is heat-dried Aspen shavings that won’t irritate your pet’s skin or respiratory system. That’s not all; it’s incredibly soft and fluffy, making it an ideal burrowing and nesting solution.
Pros:
- Produces very little dust
- Long-lasting
- No harmful chemicals, dyes, or additives
- Won’t splinter or hurt your pet
Cons:
- Shavings may stick to your hamster’s fur
Vitakraft Fresh Ultra Strength Hamster Bedding
Scamper around
Reach for this hamster bedding from Vitakraft when you want to keep odors under control and minimize messes. This bedding is designed to keep your hamster’s cage fresh for up to 14 days, with its 100% recycled paper effectively locking in moisture and odors. Environmentally conscious pet parents will be happy to know that this bedding is biodegradable and compostable.
Pros:
- Expands to three times its size
- Soft and cozy
- Highly absorbent
Cons:
- It’s a bit dusty
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of bedding are harmful to hamsters?
Hamster bedding varies greatly, so it’s important to know what to avoid when shopping for the ideal bedding for your pet. You should avoid purchasing scented bedding because it contains chemicals that could harm your pet’s respiratory system. Pine and cedar shavings are also a no-go because they are hard and splinter into sharp pieces, which could hurt your hamster.
Are wood shavings safe for hamsters?
It depends on what type of wood you’re talking about. As mentioned above, you should always avoid pine and cedar shaving because these could harm your pet. However, Aspen shavings are an excellent choice for hamsters and the safest and most recommended for hamsters.
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