For Syrian hamsters, this typically comes down to 12 inches of bedding, while Chinese and dwarf hamsters do best with no less than 10 inches of bedding. Aspen wood shavings are actually a great alternative to use if you don’t want bedding that’s made out of paper and it can even be used to mix with the type of bedding that you are already using as well. Is Aspen Bedding Safe For Hamsters? In addition, pine bedding is often dusty, and this dust can also be irritating to a hamster’s respiratory system. This paper bedding from Carefresh* (paid link) also boasts three times the absorbency of wood shavings.

Our aspen bedding is great for rabbits, guinea pigs, chinchillas, gerbils, hamsters, and other small animals. We’ve looked at lots of different bedding materials for hamsters. So, what is the best bedding for hamsters? Paper bedding seems to have the fewest health concerns, and is also very absorbent. Hamster Hideout Forum - Burrowing Areas? ( http://hamsterhideout.com/forum/topic/93456-burrowing-areas/)There are a few things to consider when choosing the best bedding for your Syrian hamster. The first is safety. Some bedding materials, like pine shavings, can be harmful if your hamster ingests them. This is a big question, considering that odor can be a big problem with small pets like hamsters. And it’s best to keep the cage clean for the health of the animal, too. Syrian hamsters are among the largest varieties. You might want to look for hamster bedding alternatives for your Syrian hamster. Something non-toxic, that will adequately control odor, and absorb any mess. Coco fiber doesn’t hold burrows well, so it’s not suitable as a main substrate, but you can use it as an additional source of enrichment in one part of the cage or a dig box. Instead, use aspen. They’re safe for hamsters, and while they’re not super soft for burrowing, you can pair them with some soft bedding material for your hamster to make a nest with. Kaytee All Natural Aspen Bedding is great for hamsters and contains no oils or inks. It’s processed to remove extra dust and debris, so it’s a healthy choice for your pet. Paper litter

Some manufacturers still sell scented beddings designed to help cover up normal hamster odors. Unfortunately, most scented beddings are too strong for the sensitive noses of hamsters, resulting in possible respiratory issues. Steer clear of scented beddings and choose safer alternatives like aspen shavings or paper-based products. If you want to control odors better, clean out your hamster’s cage more frequently. 2. Pine and Cedar Shavings Current ASPCA advice is to steer clear of any scented bedding. The chemicals used in these could upset your hamster, or even make them ill. You should also be wary of anything dusty. Particles can damage your hamsters airways, and affect their ability to breathe. Your hamster’s preferences: Some hamsters prefer the smell and taste of pine, while others prefer aspen. It’s really up to your individual hamster’s preferences. If you’re looking for a way to save money on hamster bedding, hemp bedding is a cost-effective option to consider. However, this type of bedding doesn’t hold burrows on its own. To get around this, you’ll need to mix it with other bedding materials like paper bedding and hay.

What bedding is not safe for hamsters?

You’ll want a bedding that can absorb your hamster’s waste and urine, to keep their cage clean and smelling fresh. A good bedding for this is Carefresh, which is made from recycled paper products. Absorption – Something that is often ignored is the ability of bedding to soak up hamster urine or fluid from their water bottle. This is important, not only because it can start to smell but also because hamsters can experience health issues from living somewhere too damp. Hamster enclosures should generally have two types of bedding, one for nesting in and one to line the cage. Nesting bedding should be a soft, shredded material like paper and bedding for lining the cage should be stronger and good for burrowing. Historically pine sawdust has been the go-to product to use for lining a cage, but it is widely accepted that pine can release chemicals which are harmful to hamsters. It is now generally accepted that the best material to use is Aspen bedding. In some countries, freezing the bedding is recommended to kill any harmful bugs that might be lurking in the bedding. Although these creatures are not common in Singapore, if you do opt to freeze your bedding, do remember to give it sufficient time to thaw out completely before placing it into your hamster’s cage; You wouldn’t want it to catch a cold. Digging Zone

The ASPCA lists pine and cedar chips as not suitable for hamster bedding. Their main concerns are the fumes and dust that the wood may produce. Aspen bedding doesn’t have the same health risks of some of the woods we’ll discuss later, but that doesn’t make it perfect.However, some hamsters may not like the smell of straw or paper, so you may want to try wood shavings first. If your vet confirms the allergy, then I would recommend you switch to h good quality paper bedding like Small pet select paper bedding. Pine also helps to inhibit the growth of fungus and mold in your pet’s cage. Best Aspen Bedding For Hamsters Unfortunately, pine bedding is not a good option for hamsters. Your hamster’s bedding should be comfortable and safe, and pine bedding may be toxic to your pet. Substrate is the bedding material we put in the base of the cage for our pets to live on and dig in. For many common pet rodents like mice, rats and guinea pigs, the main thing we have to think about is absorbency of urine. However, in the wild, hamsters are adapted to live in dry, desert areas which means their bodies use water very efficiently; they don’t make a lot of pee, and their poos are dry pellets.