What Can You Put in a Hamster Cage Besides Cedar?

Cedar and pine wood shavings are traditional materials to use as bedding in a hamster cage, but both are inherently dangerous: The oils in both cedar and pine shavings can cause upper-respiratory infections in hamsters after inhalation. These materials can also be painful when stepped on by the hamster. Luckily, a range of alternative materials suitable for bedding exists.

  1. Newspaper

    • An easily accessible and cheap alternative to wood chips is newspaper. You can either retain newspapers you buy or receive and keep them in a bundle ready for use. Alternatively, ask newspaper vendors for spare materials at the end of the day. Shred the newspaper to turn it into sheets with which to line the cage floor.

    Other Papers

    • Other paper can be suitable for hamsters as well. If you̵7;ve got tissues, you can rip these up and use the pieces to layer the cage. Toilet paper performs this function equally well, while another alternative is the paper tubes used for kitchen towels and toilet rolls; these can be crunched up or placed in the cage for the hamster to chew on. The rest of the paper is used for nesting purposes.

    CareFRESH

    • One of the better-known alternatives to cedar for bedding is CareFRESH. This product is created from paper pulp, and contains no chemicals or treatments. Each piece is small and similar to shavings in appearance. CareFRESH works well because it̵7;s nontoxic and efficient at containing foul odors, while being comfortable for the animal itself.

    Woody Pet

    • Some bedding products are created from wood but have been treated to remove the aromatic hydrocarbons that can pose a danger to hamsters. An example would be Woody Pet, based on white softwood, which is sold in granular form and does not contain tars, acids or oils.

    Pet̵7;s Preference

    • Pet's Preference is produced from paper fibers that have been recycled and sterilized to protect against disease and fungus. This product comes in pellet form. Its main advantages are its ability to withstand water without crumbling and the fact that it absorbs odors effectively. The pellets are also biodegradable.

    Cotton

    • Cotton is a comfortable material to place in a cage for a hamster̵7;s bedding. However, if you̵7;re considering this, be aware that fiber-type materials such as cotton can pose a slight risk for the hamster. The danger is that the hamster may bite or chew off some of the material, which then won̵7;t break down properly in the animal̵7;s digestive system, leading to obstruction.