FAQ: Bedding for small pets

Choose a low-dust, absorbent and unscented bedding suited to your pet's species. Hamsters, gerbils and degus like deep bedding they can dig burrows in.

Some manufacturers state litres, others kilograms, and compressed bedding expands several times over. Compare prices in the same unit and check whether the litres are given before or after expansion.

Bedding absorbs urine and odour, protects the feet from a hard floor, keeps the animal warm and lets it dig, hide and build a nest. Suitable bedding is one of the most important conditions for a small pet's welfare.

Bedding covers the whole cage floor and is for lying on, digging and warmth, while litter goes in a separate tray and must absorb urine well. The same material is sometimes used for both, but pellets are often chosen for the tray.

The most common are wood shavings, wood pellets, paper bedding, hemp and flax bedding, straw, corn cob pellets and fabric liners. Each type differs in absorbency, dust level and whether it allows digging.

Most important is that bedding is low in dust, absorbs moisture and odour well, is unscented and safe if the animal nibbles it. For burrowing species it also matters that the bedding holds the shape of tunnels.

No. Without bedding the animal lies on a hard, wet floor, can injure its feet, get cold and cannot satisfy its natural need to dig or hide. Even with a wire floor, at least part of the area needs soft bedding.

A bare wire floor is not recommended, as it presses on the feet and can cause inflammation and injuries. If the cage has a wire grid, cover it or replace it with a solid floor and add bedding.

Yes, it is often even beneficial: for example, paper bedding mixed with hay or shavings holds hamster tunnels better. Just make sure every material you mix is safe and low in dust.

Start by mixing the new bedding with the old, keeping some familiar scent, especially around the nest. This helps the animal accept the change and lets you see whether the new bedding causes sneezing or other problems.

Yes, wood shavings are one of the most popular small-pet beddings: they are inexpensive, absorbent and allow digging. Choose large, low-dust, dried shavings rather than fine sawdust.

Cedar shavings give off strong aromatic compounds that can irritate small pets' airways and affect the liver. That is why cedar bedding is best avoided entirely for rodents and rabbits.

Fresh pine shavings contain aromatic substances that can irritate the airways. Kiln-dried shavings contain far fewer of them and are widely used, but for sensitive animals aspen or paper bedding is often preferred.

Aspen is a hardwood, so its shavings lack the resin and aromatic oils typical of pine or spruce. Aspen shavings are considered a gentler choice for sensitive animals, though they sometimes absorb slightly less odour.

Fine sawdust is very dusty, so it irritates the eyes and airways and sticks to the fur, food and genitals. For small pets, choose large shavings or another low-dust bedding.

Better not. Such shavings may include varnished, painted or treated wood, glue and unknown wood species, and they are often dusty. Use cleaned bedding made for animals.

It means the manufacturer has sieved the bedding or otherwise removed most of the fine particles. No bedding is completely free of dust, so if the animal sneezes, try another type.

Take a handful of bedding and sprinkle it over a dark surface or against the light: if a visible cloud rises or a lot of powder is left behind, the bedding is dusty. Also notice whether the animal sneezes or has watery eyes.

Shavings on their own hold tunnels moderately well, as they are loose. Mixed with paper bedding and hay, the tunnels become sturdier and the hamster can dig deeper burrows.

Good-quality kiln-dried shavings are usually clean, but bedding stored open or in a damp place can harbour mites or other insects. Keep bedding dry and sealed, and if you notice the animal itching, see a vet.