Small pet bedding, also called small animal litter, is one of the most important things in its environment. Not only does it keep the animal clean and dry, but it often serves as a place for the animal to burrow and sleep as well.
There are two kinds of small animal bedding:
- contact bedding is set directly into the cage where it can be used for burrowing and nesting, and is usually used for animals such as hamsters, rats and mice who like to burrow.
- non-contact bedding, placed in a tray underneath the wire bottom of a cage, is used for animals like sugar gliders, rabbits and birds.
Pine Shavings as Small Pet Bedding
The most common material used for small animal bedding is also the least expensive: pine shavings. Pine shavings are highly absorbent and are wonderful for burrowing. Some manufacturers of pine shavings include Kaytee, Hartz (Nature's Gold line) and Nature's Earth AllPet line. Kiln-dried pine is best, since this removes many of the potentially toxic components (like aromatic oils) that many pet owners worry about.
Cedar Shaving Litter for Small Animals
Cedar shavings are another softwood product sometimes recommended for use as a non-contact litter for larger animals, like rabbits or ferrets. However, the strong aromatic wood shavings in cedar (and to a lesser extent in pine) can cause respiratory or skin irritation in sensitive pets, so it should never be used as contact bedding. For larger animals kept far above their litter, the high absorbency and ability to mask odors may be a consideration.
Aspen Shavings as Small Animal Bedding
For owners who like wood-based shavings because of their dust-free properties but are leery of pine and cedar, aspen shavings are another option, since they contain no aromatic oils. GreenPet and Kaytee both manufacture aspen bedding.
Corn Cob Bedding for Small Pets
Corn cobs are another material used for small animal litter. Kaytee makes a version of corn cob litter called Kay Cob, which is normally used as a non-contact bedding. A major advantage of corncob litter is that it absorbs from the bottom up, keeping the top layer moisture free, unlike wood products that can quickly become drenched in waste products.
Recycled Paper Small Pet Bedding
Recycled paper is another option for small animal bedding. American Pet Diner and Yesterday’s News are two brands available that use recycled paper. One of the big benefits of recycled paper litter is its clumping ability, which allows owners to spot clean and mulch or flush the soiled clumps.
Wood Pulp Small Animal Bedding
Carefresh makes a completely different type of small pet bedding made up entirely of virgin wood pulp. This leaves the litter completely free of any inks or solvents that recycled material may contain. Another bonus is that Carefresh bedding can absorb three times its weight in liquids, far more than most other types of bedding.
Wheat Straw Litter Products
For another unique litter product that also is environmentally friendly, some owners like Oxbow Hay's Eco Straw, a natural high fiber product made from wheat straw. This type of litter may be particularly good for pets who like to eat their bedding. Since wheat straw is 35-45% fiber, it is actually good for the animals and won’t swell and cause blockages as some litters do when ingested. Like corncob bedding, wheat straw absorbs moisture from the bottom up, so the surface remains dry.
Whatever kind of small animal litter is used, owners should be sure to clean their pet's bedding at least twice a week to keep the cage smelling fresh and free of disease.
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