The Best Hamster Bedding

By Lynnae Williams Dec 22, 2022

Hamsters don't ask for much. They're low-maintenance pets that are cute, cuddly, and entertaining. Since your hamster spends most of its time in a cage, it's important to make sure they're comfortable. Hamster bedding gives your furry friend a place to burrow, dig, and bury things just like they would in their natural habitat. With so many types of hamster bedding to choose from, finding the right one may seem like an impossible ask. To help you with your search, we've rounded up some of the best hamster bedding the internet has to offer.

This dust-free, super comfortable bedding from Kaytee Clean is made from plant-based fibers and mimics the materials that hamsters would burrow into in the wild. The bright white bedding makes it easy to spot soiled areas, allowing you to clean them up quickly and keep your pet’s cage clean. You won’t have to do much to combat dust when using it, because it’s 99% dust free. It’s also highly absorbent, which helps control and ensure your pet’s living space is dry.

Pros:

  • Free of harsh chemicals, bleaches, and dyes
  • Twice as absorbent as wooden shavings
  • Light and fluffy
  • Excellent value

Cons:

  • The bag is not resealable

Carefresh Dust-Free Hamster Bedding

Do your part to protect the environment while ensuring your furry friend has a safe and cozy place to call home with this hamster bedding from Carefresh. The bedding is made from reclaimed fiber and gives your pet a dry, warm place to spend their days. It controls odor for up to ten days, lasting about twice as long as bedding made from other materials. Plus, its small pieces make it ideal for playing, moving around, and burrowing in comfort.

Pros:

  • 99% dust-free
  • Effectively controls odors
  • Doesn’t clump
  • Easy to maintain

Cons:

  • Bedding pieces vary in size

Oxbow Pure Comfort Hamster Bedding

If you’re having a hard time controlling odors in your hamster’s cage, this hamster bedding from Oxbow is ready to help. The bedding is designed to absorb odor and moisture, helping to minimize unpleasant odors and keep your furry friend’s cage smelling fresh. It’s made using 100% pure paper, so it’s free of substances that could harm your hamster. Plus, the bedding’s soft texture is gentle on paws, providing hamsters with an optimal environment for tunneling, digging, and nesting. 

Pros:

  • Absorbs six to eight times its weight 
  • Natural paper bedding
  • No strong scents
  • Makes clean-up easy

Cons:

  • Bedding doesn’t expand very much

Small Pet Select Natural Aspen Hamster Bedding

Small Pet Select’s wood shavings are an excellent option if you’re searching for an all-natural, comfortable bedding for your hamster. Its only ingredient is heat-dried Aspen shavings that won’t irritate your pet’s skin or respiratory system. That’s not all; it’s incredibly soft and fluffy, making it an ideal burrowing and nesting solution.

Pros:

  • Produces very little dust
  • Long-lasting
  • No harmful chemicals, dyes, or additives 
  • Won’t splinter or hurt your pet

Cons:

  • Shavings may stick to your hamster’s fur

Vitakraft Fresh Ultra Strength Hamster Bedding

Reach for this hamster bedding from Vitakraft when you want to keep odors under control and minimize messes. This bedding is designed to keep your hamster’s cage fresh for up to 14 days, with its 100% recycled paper effectively locking in moisture and odors. Environmentally conscious pet parents will be happy to know that this bedding is biodegradable and compostable.

Pros:

  • Expands to three times its size
  • Soft and cozy
  • Highly absorbent

Cons:

  • It’s a bit dusty

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of bedding are harmful to hamsters?

Hamster bedding varies greatly, so it’s important to know what to avoid when shopping for the ideal bedding for your pet. You should avoid purchasing scented bedding because it contains chemicals that could harm your pet’s respiratory system. Pine and cedar shavings are also a no-go because they are hard and splinter into sharp pieces, which could hurt your hamster. 

Are wood shavings safe for hamsters?

It depends on what type of wood you’re talking about. As mentioned above, you should always avoid pine and cedar shaving because these could harm your pet. However, Aspen shavings are an excellent choice for hamsters and the safest and most recommended for hamsters. 

About the Author

Lynnae grew up with pets all her life, so she has firsthand experience on how to best take care of your favorite companions. This teacher by day and writer by night has a mission to make sure all pets have what they need to live long and healthy lives.

Why Trust Us

Since 2008, CatTime has provided millions of cat owners with all the information they need to keep their pets happy and healthy. Our experts know exactly what it takes to raise our furry friends and our goal is to help all owners, new or experienced, care for their cats with all the right food, toys, equipment, and accessories.

Trending Products

  • Uahpet Battery-Operated Cat Fountain

    Uahpet Battery-Operated Cat Fountain

    If you have a particularly picky kitty, the Uahpet battery-operated cat fountain may be the best choice. The wide water tray helps keep your pet safe from whisker fatigue while giving them plenty of room to sip at their leisure. Inside, the battery is separate from the water chamber for added safety, and there are six layers of premium filtration to keep the water clean and clear. Best of all, depending on how many cats are using this fountain, the battery can last up to 120 days before it needs charging.

    Pros:

    • Holds enough water to last over a week
    • Cleaning is easy, even with all of the filters
    • Wireless design allows you to place it anywhere
    • Fantastic battery life gives you the freedom to travel or work without worry

    Cons:

    • Filters need frequent changing

    $33.99

  • DownyPaws Wireless Cat Water Fountain

    DownyPaws Wireless Cat Water Fountain

    Motion sensors help the DownyPaws wireless cat water fountain switch on as soon as your pet is within five feet of it. The sound of the suddenly-tricking water can pique your kitty’s curiosity and entice them to sip. And since the fountain only turns on as they get close, the battery isn’t constantly running, allowing you to minimize how often you need to recharge it. Five-stage filtration and easy-clean pieces also add to safety and convenience.

    Pros:

    • Easy to refill and clean
    • Runs quietly to help stop disruption
    • Battery lasts for up to 30 days for one cat
    • Motion sensor is very responsive and works every time

    Cons:

    • Battery can take a few hours to charge completely

    $29.99

  • Pupagree Cat Window Hammock

    Pupagree Cat Window Hammock

    If stuck inside for too long, indoor cats might pine for the great outdoors. This nifty seat can offer them panoramic 360° views right from your window, so they can get a taste of the outside world until the time comes for them to roam. This sturdy design will stay put if installed correctly, thanks to reinforced connectors and a durable 2mm steel wire that will resist any of your cat’s attempts to scratch or bite through.

    Pros:

    • Mat is easily removable
    • Extra flannel mat serves as a comfy underlayer or a warming blanket
    • Compact dimensions also make this a suitable choice for windows mounted on doors

    Cons:

    • Tight-fitting inner fabric makes this a little tricky to assemble

    $14.99

  • K&H Pet Products Kitty Sill Fleece

    K&H Pet Products Kitty Sill Fleece

    Our cats take real pride in their coats of fur, as we can observe daily through their delicate grooming routines. With the comfort and warmth of this fuzzy fleece-lined sill perch, you can be sure that their coat is delicately embraced. This smart frame slots effortlessly onto a standard 2″ window sill, with no tools required for assembly. Orthopedic padding underneath the cozy surface of this perch is designed to support feline posture, so they can wake up feeling limber and energized.

    Pros:

    • Faux-lambskin fleece cover is easily removable for machine washing
    • Great choice if you want to free your windows from obstruction
    • Safe for loads up to 40 lbs

    Cons:

    • If you don’t have a 2-inch windowsill beneath your window frames, you might not be able to mount this option securely

    $13.27

TOP FINDS & RECOMMENDATIONS

  • 1

    Cat Trees, Condos & Scratchers

    Cat Trees, Condos & Scratchers

    Make Your Cat Feel at Home With the Best Cat Tree

    Behind every cat owner is a large cat tree towering next to their window, or at least there should be. Cat trees are one of our favorite pet accessories because they give your cat a place to jump, scratch, play, and rest that is designated for them. If you’re looking to add a tree to your space, we’ve found the best cat trees online and gathered them here for you.

    Cat Trees, Condos & Scratchers

  • 2

    Cat Food

    Cat Food

    The Best Cat Food for a Happy Pet

    Whether you’re just getting a cat, or looking to upgrade your cats current diet, having a reliable cat food is key. There are many types of cat food, from indoor to outdoor and even kitten food, each type fulfills different needs for your pet and should be chosen with your specific cat in mind. We’ve found the best cat foods available online and separated them into three categories to make your shopping easier than ever.

    Cat Food

TRENDING PRODUCTS

TOP FINDS & RECOMMENDATIONS