Wood shavings are a popular choice for the bedding at the bottom of your hamster cage but not all wood types should be used. Some can be dangerous to the health of your hamster either due to natural components of the wood or the way it is cut or treated.
Aspen shavings are best for a hamster’s bedding as they are scent and oil free and also highly absorbent of liquid and odor. They are widely sold and cost $30 for a 4 cu ft bag. Avoid scented shavings and pine and cedar shavings due to the toxins and oils in the wood and the possibility of splinters.
Which Wood Shavings Are Best For Hamsters?
A bag of good quality aspen shaving bedding is commonly recommended as being the best option for hamster bedding for a number of reasons because it is:
- Cost effective and sold in various sized bags. A 4 cu ft bag (113L) of usable volume costs under $30.
- Widely available and can generally be purchased at a pet store of your choice or online.
- Natural and contains no additives.
- Made of wood shavings from logs not potentially dangerous fibers from recycled paper.
- Good for odor control although it still should be replaced weekly.
- Very absorbent which helps with cleanliness.
- Low dust to help minimize irritating your hamster’s breathing.
- Recyclable and compostable.
Your bedding choice in your hamster cage is important for the safety and health of your pet. Hamsters love digging and burrowing (burying) themselves in the bedding and while it’s not dangerous for their breathing in general, it can be a problem if you use the wrong type of bedding material.
Criteria To Choose Bedding For Your Hamster
Hamsters love to burrow and will do so in the bedding that you provide, often hiding and sleeping underneath it. While certain shavings are perfectly fine for them and will not prevent them from breathing while they burrow, care does need to be taken when choosing wood shavings to line the cage floor.
When searching for bedding for the bottom of your hamster cage, consider the following criteria:
Avoid pine wood shavings: Pine wood has a natural component called abietic acid which is considered a skin and respiratory irritant and is classified as such by the OHSA
. Abietic acid is also found in other trees such as spruce and fir and is commonly used in industrial products such as ship caulking, lacquers and varnishes.
Avoid cedar wood shavings: Cedar wood has a natural fungicide that protects it from fungus growth called plicatic acid which is known to irritate the airways and have a connection to industrial chronic bronchitis and possibly asthma in humans. The makeup of cedar gives off toxins that can lead to serious liver and respiratory problems for your hamster.
Scent-free: A scent-free bedding is important for your hamster as their respiratory system is sensitive to smells that might not bother humans. Avoid scented hamster bedding in that regard. Aspen bedding is thus recommended since it has no scent to speak of. If you are looking for a disinfectant to help with the smell of the hamster cage, use a hamster-friendly one.
Oil-free: Hamsters also do better with bedding that is made from wood with no natural or added oils. They burrow in and sleep in the bedding so you don’t want oils leeching out of the bedding onto their skin or having them breathe it in.
No splinters: Some wood beddings splinter which creates sharp edges that can hurt your hamster. Aspen bedding tends to be cut in large, thinly sliced pieces which easily bend when walked on and aren’t sharp.
Replace Hamster Bedding Every Few Weeks
Maintaining hamster bedding is crucial for ensuring a clean and comfortable environment for your furry friend. Regular upkeep involves spot cleaning and periodic cage cleanings. Start by removing soiled bedding and waste daily, especially in the area where your hamster tends to urinate or defecate the most. This helps prevent odor buildup and keeps the cage fresh.
For a deeper cleaning, replace all the bedding every two to four weeks, depending on the size of the cage and the number of hamsters. When doing a full cage cleaning, wash and disinfect any accessories, such as tunnels, wheels, and hideouts.
Ensure that the bedding is completely dry before returning your hamster to its home to prevent respiratory issues. By maintaining cleanliness, you’ll provide a healthier and more pleasant living environment for your hamster.
Common Hamster Bedding Mistakes
While hamster bedding is essential, there are common mistakes that hamster owners should be aware of to ensure their pet’s well-being. One of the most prevalent errors is using cedar or pine wood shavings as bedding, which can release harmful aromatic compounds that are detrimental to a hamster’s respiratory system. Opt for safer bedding options like Aspen wood shavings.
Another mistake is not providing enough bedding depth. Hamsters love to burrow and create nests, so ensure there’s enough bedding for them to engage in natural behaviors. Conversely, overfilling the cage with bedding can lead to accidents or prevent the hamster from accessing food and water easily.
Finally, failing to spot clean regularly can lead to a dirty and unpleasant environment, potentially causing stress and health issues for your hamster. Avoiding these common mistakes will help you provide a safe and comfortable habitat for your furry friend.
Does Hamster Bedding Affect The Smell Of The Cage?
The familiar hamster smell isn’t due to the bedding per se but does have to do with a few other related factors to how you care for the bedding and prepare the cage.
Here are guidelines to keep the hamster cage and bedding clean:
Clean the cage: A hamster’s cage should be cleaned once per week especially if you have two hamsters but weekly cleaning is a good rule of thumb regardless. Hamsters pee, poo and move food around the cage and it gets dirty quickly as a result. Buy a hamster-safe disinfectant at your local pet store for cleaning the cage and the wheel occasionally.
NOTE: Hamsters tend to pee in one specific corner and since pee is what causes the smell you can get rid of the smell by only replacing that specific corner’s bedding. They will poo and drop food all over the place however.
Replacement of the bedding: Hamster bedding should be thrown out and replaced weekly. As mentioned above the hamster’s bedding quickly gets full of feces and urine as well as bits of food and gets dirty in a short period of time. Hamsters love to dig and bury themselves in the bedding which is why it’s important to replace the bedding and clean the cage regularly.
NOTE: Hamsters are creatures of habit and memorize where things in their cage are so be careful to put them back in the same spot when cleaning out a cage and bedding.
Use a cage liner: A disposable cage liner will help to absorb urine and feces and catch some of the debris such as food that is dropped into the bedding by your hamster. Disposable liners are placed at the bottom of the cage and the bedding is then placed over top. A quality liner is tear and leak-resistant and also wicks away moisture to help keep the bedding cleaner.
Airing of your room: Airing your room out will also help to get rid of the hamster smell but proper cleaning and replacement of bedding is paramount.
Hamster Bedding Summary
While you can choose from a wide variety of bedding materials, it’s worth nothing which ones offer side effects or considerations that you might want to at least know about beforehand.
| Criteria | Aspen Wood Shavings | Other Common Bedding Materials |
|---|---|---|
| Absorbency | High | Varies (paper, pine, cedar) |
| Odor Control | Good | Varies (pine, cedar may be strong) |
| Dust and Allergen Level | Low | Varies (cedar can be allergenic) |
| Softness and Comfort | Moderate | Varies |
| Chewability | Moderate | Varies (cedar may be preferred) |
| Natural Scent | Mild, Wood-like | Varies (pine, cedar have distinct odors) |
| Cost-effectiveness | Affordable | Varies |
| Safety | Generally Safe | Cedar may have respiratory risks |
| Availability | Widely Available | Varies |
Note: The characteristics of other common bedding materials (such as paper, pine, and cedar) can vary based on brands, quality, and specific processing methods. It’s important to research and select bedding that is safe and suitable for your hamster’s needs.
Final Thoughts
Wood shavings can be used for hamsters, but it’s important to choose the best bedding for hamsters, which means the right type of wood and ensure it’s prepared and used in a way that is safe for your pet.
Here are some considerations:
- Use Kiln-Dried Hardwood Shavings: Instead, opt for kiln-dried hardwood shavings. Popular choices include aspen and hardwood shavings. These woods are safe and won’t produce harmful compounds. Always check the packaging to make sure they are specifically labeled as safe for small animals.
- Dust-Free: Choose wood shavings that are as dust-free as possible. Dust can also be harmful to hamsters’ respiratory systems. Quality wood shavings are usually designed to minimize dust.
- Proper Bedding Depth: Provide an appropriate depth of bedding for your hamster. They like to burrow and create nests, so the bedding should be deep enough to allow for this behavior.
- Regular Cleaning: Hamster cages should be cleaned regularly, including changing the bedding. Even safe wood shavings can become soiled, and dirty bedding can lead to health problems for your hamster.
- Monitor for Allergies: While wood shavings are generally safe for hamsters, some individual hamsters may have allergies or sensitivities. If you notice your hamster showing signs of respiratory distress (such as sneezing, wheezing, or labored breathing), consider switching to a different type of bedding, such as paper-based bedding.
Aspen wood tends to be the best hamster bedding for odor control. Always change the bedding regularly as needed, too.
What bedding is not good for hamsters?
Avoid Cedar and Pine: Never use cedar or pine wood shavings for hamsters. These types of wood can emit aromatic oils and phenols that are harmful to small animals like hamsters. These compounds can lead to respiratory problems and other health issues.
Always prioritize your hamster’s safety and well-being. If you have any concerns about their bedding or health, consult with a veterinarian who specializes in small animals for guidance and advice on the best bedding choices for your pet.