The 7 Best Beddings For Hamsters

This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in January of 2019. When it's time to choose bedding for the cage of a tiny pet, like a hamster, keep in mind that anything scented or dusty is considered dangerous for your furry friend. While Aspen shavings are the only wood option considered safe, the ASPCA suggests simple paper. You may want to experiment with a few brands to see which one your rodent enjoys burrowing into the best. When users buy our independently chosen editorial recommendations, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

This wiki has been updated 19 times since it was first published in January of 2019. When it's time to choose bedding for the cage of a tiny pet, like a hamster, keep in mind that anything scented or dusty is considered dangerous for your furry friend. While Aspen shavings are the only wood option considered safe, the ASPCA suggests simple paper. You may want to experiment with a few brands to see which one your rodent enjoys burrowing into the best. When users buy our independently chosen editorial selections, we may earn commissions to help fund the Wiki.

1. Carefresh Complete Natural

Carefresh Complete Natural (around $10) is guaranteed to be free from harmful chemicals and pollutants, because the company makes its own paper from natural cellulose fiber and wood. It has been pre-sanitized at a temperature of 380 degrees Fahrenheit to minimize mold and fungus.

Suppresses odors for up to 10 days
Biodegradable and compostable
Sustainably-sourced materials

2. Kaytee Clean & Cozy

Kaytee Clean & Cozy (around $21) helps keep cages fresh and dry, because it absorbs six times its weight in liquid. The white color makes it easier to spot soiled areas for cleaning, though it is also available in other colors, too, should your pet be into jazzing up its cage.

99 percent dust-free
Made from recycled remnants
Fluffs up nicely

3. Small Pet Select Premium

Small Pet Select Premium (about $40) comes in at a budget-friendly price, and it's consistency is highly recommended for dwarf and Syrian breeds. You'll have to change it often, as it doesn't absorb odors as well as some pricier brands, but the jumbo bag goes a long way.

Unbleached ink-free paper
Soft for delicate feet
So light it sticks to longer fur

4. Vitakraft Fresh World

The eco-conscious will feel good about using Vitakraft Fresh World (appx. $17) because it is made with super soft crumbles of recycled paper from the Paper Gator recycling program, which supports local schools and community organizations.

Baking soda-free odor control
Nontoxic and unbleached
Bag does not reseal well

5. Kaytee Critter Trail Bedding Tray

If you don't have a lot of time for cage cleaning, the convenient Kaytee Critter Trail Bedding Tray (around $9) are sized to fit in the company's small pet homes and prefilled with fluffy paper. You can also reuse the trays a few times using separate bedding to save money.

Come in a pack of three
Plastic trays are recyclable
Take up space in the cage

6. Small Pet Select Aspen

For those who like traditional shavings, Small Pet Select Aspen (about $28) is taken directly from logs, and not from dangerous reclaimed sludge fibers. If you prefer the look and feel of wood, keep in mind that Aspen is the only type deemed safe for hamsters.

Pleasant natural scent
No additives or fragrances
Leaves some dust in bottom of cage

7. Healthy Pet Critter Care Confetti

Healthy Pet Critter Care Confetti (around $20) will jazz up your hamster's cage with a fun pop of color. The dyes used to make this fluffy paper choice are considered pet safe, and it controls odors well for about a week, as long as soiled areas are removed daily.

Great for kids' rooms
May need to be broken up a bit
Pricier than plain white options

Last updated by Tina Morna Freitas

Tina Morna Freitas is a writer who lives in Chicago with her family and three cats. She has a B.A. in anthropology with a minor in English, and has built a freelance career over the years in writing and digital marketing. Her passions for cooking, decorating and home improvement contribute to her extensive knowledge of all things kitchen and home goods. In addition, her 20 years as a parent inform her expertise in the endless stream of toys and equipment that inevitably takes over the homes of most parents. She also enjoys gardening, making and sipping margaritas, and aspires to be a crazy cat lady once all the children are grown.

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