Hamsters are one of the most common pets today across the globe. They are cute, small and very active animals, just like guinea pigs that love your company, time and attention. They love digging, and they need to be comfortable in their cages to keep going about their natural characteristics. Their bedding needs to be safe, comfortable and non-toxic so that it doesn’t make the hamster allergic or sick. So, what is the best kind of bedding for hamsters? Keep reading to know more about this.
How to choose the best kind of bedding for hamsters?
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Even the simplest of bedding materials can turn toxic for your cute pets. Regardless of the breed of your hamster pets (Dwarf or Syrian), you should take great care in choosing their bed materials. Certain types of wood shavings (such as pine and cedar) that are commonly used for other pets can cause serious respiratory issues in hamsters and damage their vital organs.
Therefore, before choosing the best kind of bedding for hamsters, you should do considerable research about the safe materials and then choose the bedding accordingly. You should ask yourself the following questions before proceeding to buy the bedding.
Top questions to ask before buying the best kind of bedding for hamsters
- What is the budget that you are willing to set aside for bedding?
- What is the size of the hamster?
- Are you looking for an eco-friendly material?
- How often do you plan to wash the bedding?
- What are the best available options in your locality?
Though there are plenty of options for hamster beddings, these questions will help you filter the choices one by one, thereby helping you choose the best option for your darling pet. When you choose nice and safe bedding, you are providing a clean and healthy environment for your hamster; therefore, the time that you invest in choosing its bedding is worth every second.
Some of the popular choices when you are looking for the best kind of bedding for hamsters
Here are some of the popular and safe options when you are looking for good hamster bedding materials:
- Aspen Wood Shavings
- Paper Shredding Bedding
When you set out to purchase the right bedding for your hamsters, you will also notice many attractive options in pine, cedar, and other fluffy materials. They may look safe, but they aren’t. In the following section, we will explain why aspen and paper shredding are great choices and why others aren’t.
Aspen Wood Shavings
Living World Small Animal Bedding Material
– Ideal bedding material for small pets such as hamsters.
Bedding made from Aspen Wood is a very popular choice among hamster owners. This is because this material is very thick, giving ample opportunities for your pet to burrow through. They are also free of toxic chemicals and odors. Bedding made from aspen wood has been processed in such a way that it removes dust from the atmosphere, thereby keeping the surroundings clean and fresh for your hamster. This material suits fine for the small Dwarf hamsters as well as the big Syrian hamsters.
Paper Shredding or Paper Bedding
Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
– Soft + Comfortable for Your Bunnies and Guinea Pigs But Still Super Absorbent.
Bedding made from paper shreds or natural paper is considered as the best kind of bedding for hamsters by everyone. This is because it is very healthy and affordable as well. You can make this paper bed by yourself, using old newspapers. This bedding is very natural and eco-friendly. It is also at least 3times more absorbent than wood shavings.
When you try to make paper hamster beddings in your home, you should use shredded toilet paper for better results than while using normal shredded paper. This will give more freedom and space for your hamsters to move around their bedding without getting caught anywhere.
Stay away from these hamster bedding materials
Bedding made from Pinewood
Though pine wood is natural and contains an excellent odor, you shouldn’t use it as bedding for your hamsters. This is because studies have proved that Pinewood has an adverse effect on the health of the pets. This wood tends to produce dust and fumes, which creates many health issues in hamsters. When the hamsters are exposed to these dust and fumes, they experience severe ailments such as respiratory issues and lung failure.
Cedar Bedding
When you visit a pet store, you may find cedar hamster beddings for sale there. The salesperson may try to convince you that cedar is natural and safe for your pets. Remember to stay away from cedar as much as possible, as it is considered to be very dangerous for your hamsters. Red Cedar, especially, creates a lot of dust, which can affect the lung functioning and metabolic functioning of the hamsters.
Fluffy bedding made from cotton
Many hamster owners are tempted to buy the soft and fluffy cotton candy hamster beddings because they are attractive and come in different shades. Your priority should be on the safety aspect always while buying proper bedding material for your hamsters. Visual appeal is not important at all. These colors that make the bedding look attractive have dyes that can harm your pets.
When you decide to buy the best kind of bedding for hamsters, you should always remember the following points:
- It should be safe for the environment, your pet and yourself.
- It should be odor-free.
- It should soak up urine effectively.
- It should be comfortable and natural enough for the hamsters to burrow through.
- It should be big enough for the hamster to move around freely without getting caught anywhere
Before buying the substrate for your hamsters, you should do a complete comparative analysis of the various materials available, pros and cons. This will help you understand more about these options. For example, you may want to use recycled paper hamster bedding instead of making it in your own home. However, only when you do a detailed analysis, you will understand that recycled paper is not only costly but also not easily available in your locality.
Similarly, substrates such as wood pulp, wood-based cat litter, sawdust, paper-based cat litter, and hemp bedding have excellent absorbent qualities, but they cause serious health issues in hamsters. Hence, you need to choose a bedding material that ticks all the boxes. This is why aspen and paper are considered the best choices.
Conclusion:
the best kind of bedding for hamsters is a natural, dust-free, and absorbent material such as aspen shavings, paper-based bedding, or hemp bedding. Avoid using cedar or pine shavings as they can be harmful to your pet’s respiratory system. Additionally, make sure to provide your hamster with enough bedding depth for burrowing and consider adding some nesting material for extra comfort.
Frequently Asked Questions:
Does bedding keep hamsters warm?
Bedding can provide insulation for hamsters and help regulate their body temperature. However, it is important to ensure that the bedding is not too thick or damp, as this can cause respiratory problems for hamsters. Providing additional sources of warmth, such as a heat pad or nesting materials, may also be necessary in colder environments.
Do hamsters need 6 inches of bedding?
Hamsters require at least 2-3 inches of bedding in their cage to burrow and nest. However, providing 6 inches of bedding can offer additional insulation, comfort, and stimulation for your hamster. The type of bedding used should also be appropriate for your hamster’s species and avoid any materials that could cause harm or discomfort.
Is pine bedding safe for hamsters?
Pine bedding can be harmful to hamsters as it contains aromatic oils and phenols that can cause respiratory issues and liver damage. Softwood beddings, in general, are not recommended for hamsters. It is best to opt for safer alternatives such as aspen or paper-based beddings.
Hi, my name is Idammah, and I am a huge animal lover! I have always had a special place in my heart for pets, especially cats. I currently have a rescue cat named Simba, who has brought so much joy and love into my life. In my free time, you can find me playing with my cats or watching some animal documentaries. When not spending time with my cat, I enjoy writing about my experiences as a pet owner and sharing helpful tips and advice with other pet lovers. I hope to connect with other pet enthusiasts and share our love for animals through this blog.
