The 5 Best Hamster Beddings

The 5 Best Hamster Beddings

This page contains affiliate links. We may earn money or products from the companies mentioned in this post through our independently chosen links, which earn us a commission. Learn More

Hamsters make wonderful pets because they are small, quiet, and easy to care for. Like any pet, however, hamsters require a good habitat and a healthy, balanced diet. Choosing the right hamster cage is one part of the equation, but you also have to choose the right bedding to fill it.

In this article, we’ll talk about tips for caring for hamsters and provide some insight into choosing the best hamster bedding. We’ll also show you our top 5 picks for the best hamster bedding in different categories.

At a Glance: Best Hamster Beddings To Buy

We highly recommend looking at the comparison table we have below where we highlighted the features of each product. You’ll also find more detailed information about each product later in the article.

Compare Best Hamster Beddings

Overall Best 1. Small Pet Select Small Pet Aspen Bedding View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Budget 2. Kaytee Aspen Small Animal Bedding View on Amazon Read Review	Best Syrian Hamster 3. Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding View on Amazon Read Review	Best For Dwarf Hamster 4. Carefresh Small Animal Bedding View on Chewy Read Review	Best For Roborovski Hamsters 5. Kaytee Extreme Odor Control Bedding View on Chewy Read Review
Materials Unbleached paper	Materials Aspen	Materials Reclaimed wood pulp	Materials Natural fibers	Materials Natural fibers
Capacity 16L	Capacity 8 cubic feet	Capacity 30L	Capacity 50L	Capacity 40L
Features Highly absorbent, natural	Features No oils/inks, natural	Features Long-lasting odor control, 3x absorbent, expands 2x	Features 10-day odor control, soft, gentle	Features 14-day odor control, 2x more absorbent

What To Look For In Hamster Bedding?

Hamster bedding is simply the material you use to fill the cage. It absorbs liquid waste and helps to control odor in addition to providing your hamster with something to burrow into to create a nest. Choosing the right bedding is important because it provides these essential functions.

Here are some important things to look for in hamster bedding:

• Made from natural materials. For your hamster’s safety, choose a bedding that is made from all-natural materials such as recycled paper or wood shavings.
• Absorbs liquid and odor. Look for a bedding that absorbs liquid but doesn’t stay wet or compact on the bottom of the cage. It should also lock in odors to keep things fresh.
• Affordably priced. You’ll need to clean your hamster’s cage often, so look for a bedding you can consistently afford to purchase.
• Free from dust and toxins. Some small animal bedding contains toxins that can be harmful to your hamster – pine shavings are an example. You should avoid hamster bedding that is dusty as well because it can irritate your hamster’s respiratory system.

Our Top Picks For The Best Hamster Beddings

Now that you have a better idea what to look for in hamster bedding, it’s time to start shopping! Keep reading to see our top 5 picks for the best bedding for hamsters.

Overall Best

1.

Small Pet Select Small Pet Aspen Bedding

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Unbleached paper
• Capacity: 16L
• Features: Highly absorbent, natural

Pros

• Expands to 3 times the package size
• Highly absorbent and very gentle
• Soft and comfortable for hamsters

Cons

• May not control odors as well as some brands
• Product may be somewhat inconsistent

When it comes to hamster bedding, you need something that is absorbent and gentle on your hamster’s delicate feet. This Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding is made from pure, unbleached paper which makes it naturally absorbent and very soft. It contains no harmful chemical additives and has never been printed on, plus it is made in the USA. This paper bedding comes in a large bag that expands to three times its volume as well, so it offers excellent value.

Best For Budget

2.

Kaytee Aspen Small Animal Bedding

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Aspen
• Capacity: 8 cubic feet
• Features: No oils/inks, natural

Pros

• Made from natural, biodegradable wood materials
• Processed to remove dust for easy breathing
• Very gentle on the feet and skin

Cons

• Has a slight woody scent some may not like
• Bag can be fairly heavy due to its size

Hamster bedding made from recycled materials is great, but it can also be very expensive. If you’re looking for a more affordable option that still absorbs liquids and controls odor, consider this Kaytee Aspen Natural Bedding. It comes in large bags that expand to 4 or 8 cubic feet, so it will last you quite a while. It has no aromatic oils or inks as well, so it is very healthy and safe for your hamster.

Best Syrian Hamster

3.

Healthy Pet HPCC Natural Bedding

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Reclaimed wood pulp
• Capacity: 30L
• Features: Long-lasting odor control, 3x absorbent, expands 2x

Pros

• Made from safe, natural materials and dust-free
• Absorbs 3x its weight in liquid
• Expands to two times its size

Cons

• Somewhat expensive compared to other options

The Syrian hamster is one of the larger species of hamster, so it needs a larger cage. These hamsters also tend to produce a little more waste than some species due to their size. If you’re looking for the best hamster bedding for Syrian hamsters, try this Healthy Pet Critter Care Natural Pet Bedding. This bedding absorbs 3 times its weight and offers long-lasting odor control. It expands to two times its volume and is made from safe, natural materials as well.

Best For Dwarf Hamster

4.

Carefresh Small Animal Bedding

View on Chewy

Product Info

• Materials: Natural fibers
• Capacity: 50L
• Features: 10-day odor control, soft, gentle

Pros

• Made from scratch, very soft and gentle
• Absorbs 2x more than wood shavings
• Very low in dust and easy to clean

Cons

• May not expand as much as some beddings
• Somewhat expensive to use often

Dwarf hamsters are very small and they have delicate feet, so they need a bedding that will be gentle. This CareFresh Confetti Small Pet Bedding is a great option because it is made from soft, gentle materials that will be easy on your hamster’s feet. It is light, fluffy, and highly absorbent – up to 2 times more absorbent than wood shavings, in fact. It is also very low in dust and offers 10 days of odor control, making it a great product for value.

Best For Roborovski

5.

Kaytee Extreme Odor Control Bedding

View on Chewy

View on Amazon

Product Info

• Materials: Natural fibers
• Capacity: 40L
• Features: 14-day odor control, 2x more absorbent

Pros

• Safe and gentle for small hamsters
• Lightweight and great for burrowing
• Absorbs and controls odors well

Cons

• Some dislike the scent of the bedding
• Product quality may be inconsistent

Roborovski hamsters may be small, but they can make their cage pretty messy. If you’re looking for a hamster bedding that will control odor for up to 14 days, consider this Kaytee Extreme Odor Control Bedding. It is made from safe, soft materials that encourage burrowing and are gentle on your hamster’s feet.

It is also virtually dust-free and twice as absorbent as wood shavings. It is great for hamsters of any species and can be used for other small pets.

Tips For Housing And Caring For Hamsters

Choosing the best hamster cage is essential to your hamster’s health and wellbeing. If your hamster doesn’t have enough space, it won’t be able to exercise properly and if the cage is too crowded with accessories, it won’t give your hamster the space it needs.

Here are some tips for housing and caring for hamsters:

• Research the type of hamster you plan to keep and make sure you understand its requirements.
• Choose the biggest hamster cage you can afford – even for small species, more space is always better for hamsters.
• Look for a cage that provides plenty of room for several inches of bedding – hamsters like to burrow into the bedding to create nests.
• Choose a cage that is well ventilated to prevent odor buildup and plan to clean the cage often to keep it fresh.

Hamsters are not a high-maintenance pet, but they do require a certain degree of care. Choosing the right hamster cage and bedding is half the battle, so take what you’ve learned here to make the right choice for your hamster.

Final Remarks

Hamster bedding does more than just fill the cage. In addition to providing your hamster with something to burrow in to make a nest, it helps to absorb liquid waste as well as odors. The best hamster bedding will perform these functions and be reasonably priced so you can clean out your hamster’s cage and replace the bedding as often as needed.

If you’re still not sure where to start in looking for hamster bedding, try out one of the top 5 best hamster beddings we’ve reviewed above. Good luck!