Healthy Bedding for Hamsters

Some types of bedding can be dangerous to hamsters, causing respiratory problems, infections, injuries or even poisoning. Dangerous or unhealthy bedding materials include some of the materials sold specifically for small rodents in some places. Fortunately, plenty of suitable bedding materials exist, and sometimes these cost very little. As a rule of thumb, choose a soft, nontoxic bedding with no added fragrances or dyes.

  1. Cardboard

    • Small pieces of cardboard form an absorbent, safe bedding, provided the cardboard didn't have ink or plastic on it. Tear up old egg boxes and cardboard boxes to make your own, or purchase from a supplier. Pet stores sometimes have this bedding. Alternatively, contact a local hamster, rat or other rodent breeder and ask where they buy their bedding, as this is often the type a rodent breeder uses. Buying in bulk works out cheaper.

    Aspen Wood Shavings

    • This bedding is relatively soft, so shouldn't cause injuries to the feet. Aspen-based bedding is also nontoxic and doesn't release dangerous fumes. The main disadvantage is that it isn't especially absorbent, and you will have to clean the hamster cage frequently.

    Paper Pellets

    • Paper pellets tick all the boxes: being soft, absorbent and safe. Because hamsters also like strips of bedding to make nests, add some shredded plain toilet tissue on top. Various brands of paper or wood pulp pellet bedding are available from pet stores and supermarkets.

    Recycled Paper

    • Reusing newspapers is another option. You can line the cage with them and shred others to make hamster bedding. The advantages are that newspapers are soft, absorbent and cheap. The disadvantages are that the ink stains hamster fur, and the hamster may ingest some ink, which is not healthy. Opinions among hamster breeders are divided. Newspapers are probably not the best bedding, but they are not particularly dangerous either. Shredded paper without ink is better. If you have a supply of such paper, perhaps from an office, it is a good choice.

    Bedding Materials to Avoid

    • Never use cedar or pine shavings or sawdust. These woods are toxic. Other materials to avoid include anything made out of cotton, which can entangle hamster feet. The fluffy material sometimes sold for hamsters is potentially dangerous. Towels, blankets and other fabrics are not suitable. The hamster will chew them up, releasing threads and loops, which are a hazard. Such items will also get soiled rapidly. Never use cat litter for small rodents; it might look suitable, but it causes respiratory problems and it, too, can be toxic. Beddings made from corncobs are suitable for some animals, but not hamsters. Your hamster might eat the bedding, which causes digestion problems or worse, especially if the bedding becomes moldy. Any scented bedding is unsuitable.