What bedding should i use for my hamsters?

Question

At the moment i use sawdust but is that ok or should i use somthing like hay or straw etc?

Answer 1

No sawdust is fine and then put some shredded cloth in there aswell and then ur hamster will sleep in that.

Answer 2

There are many types of bedding materials that can be used for a guinea pigs home. Here I will explain what type of bedding I use for my guinea pigs. At the bottom of the page is a link that explains about other types of bedding that you can also use.

Newspaper:

For my guinea pigs cages, I use several layers of newspaper to cover the base of the cages. Newspaper is not only absorbent, but it also helps with warmth and makes cleaning out easier by being able to roll up the bedding in the newspaper. In our area, our local newspaper is only 10p on fridays, so I buy quite a few papers as I have 4 cages, 2 guinea pig cages and 2 rabbit cages. Its quite a saving when you have a few cages to clean out. Another option is to ask family or friends if they could save their old newspapers for you.

Kiln-dried Pine Shavings:

I then add a layer of kiln-dried pine shavings. There has been a few question marks as to wether kiln-dried pine shavings is safe for guinea pigs. Some say it contributes to respiratory problems and fungal infections. I have used it for many years without any problems. A site that I trust and often turn to if I need extra help, is Guinea Lynx They also think its one bedding that can be used. I am always open to different opinions though and it is a personal choice. Its what works best for you and your guinea pigs.

I buy my kiln-dried pine shavings from a local equestrian centre ( horse supplies ). Please never use Cedar woodshavings as it contains aromatic oils that's been proven to be toxic to guinea pigs. Never use Sawdust as its too fine. Remember guinea pigs are low to the ground and enjoy foraging for food with their noses, so fine particles can be inhaled. When using kiln-dried pine shavings, check for any bits of wood that could hurt your guinea pigs feet and find another supplier if your not happy with quality of the pine shavings. Remember it shouldn't have much sawdust, just flakes and the pine shouldn't smell too strongly. You could air the shavings for a while to be extra cautious. Always remove your guinea pigs out of the cage when doing a complete change of their bedding. See my Cage Cleaning page for more information.

Hay:

Lastly comes the third layer. I use a good layer of fresh hay to cover the kiln-dried pine shavings. Guinea pigs do enjoying running around in their cage. By covering the woodshaving with hay, it avoids the woodshaving being kicked around, perhaps getting into their eyes and in their food bowls. Guinea pigs not only need large quantities of fresh hay for eating, hay makes a very comfortable bed. They can also burrow in the hay. See Squeekie's little mountain of hay below

Answer 3

Use toilet paper or paper towel

Answer 4

I've always used pine shavings.  They also like to use paper that is shreaded for building their nests / homes.  I would use shavings for the main bedding through.

Answer 5

You can use cedar,helps with smell and fleas hate it,just watch some animals are allergic to it.

Answer 6

well i get shredded jay cloth from mi local pet store wich animals LOVE

Answer 7

I'M FED UP WITH PEOPLE SAYING THAT PINE AND CEDAR ARE BAD! They aren't! I've had hamsters for 3 years with pine and cedar bedding it was fine! Seriously carefresh is more expencive.

Answer 8

Sawdust isn't very good- it's just too dusty.  Aspen and carefresh are both really good- carefresh can be kind of pricey, but aspen isn't.  Don't use cedar or pine because the phenols in them are really bad for hamsters and can cause respiratory illnesses.

Answer 9

I've heard that pine and cedar are not good because they are kind of dusty and can cause (or worsen) breathing problems in their tiny lungs.  Aspen is supposed to be the better of those 3.  I used to use aspen until both my mice developed pneumonia and the vet told me that the wood chips may have made things worse.  Now I buy the Carefresh bedding.  It costs about double, but my hamster loves it and it is nice and soft and dust-free.

Answer 10

carefesh seems to be the best commercial mbedding, do not use pine or cedar.

Answer 11

I used shredded cloth, sawdust is ok but adding something like hay would add extra comfort, check out your local pet store