SAFE BEDDING / NESTING MATERIALS
Please note that some beddings are grouped together. For example, Oxbow Pure Comfort does not have its own listing – it is listed as a similar bedding to Kaytee Clean & Cozy. It is not exactly the same, but it is very similar. The reason for the groupings is that it would become incredibly tedious to write a separate listing for every type of bedding out there. If you can’t find a type of bedding you are wondering about, try using Ctrl + F on your keyboard to search the thread for the name of the bedding.
A few notes:
1) If you know of a bedding that isn't listed, please let me know! (Double check that it's not listed as a "Similar Bedding" to any other type first)
2) If you know of any Hamster Hideout threads that talk extensively about a type of bedding, let me know so I can link them as a source. It doesn't have to be a pinned thread or official - as long as it contains detailed discussion about the bedding in question.
3) I will be adding pictures to this eventually.
Bedding Materials
Aspen Shavings (US, CAN, UK [very limited]) - SAFE
General Information - Aspen shavings are a very common type of hamster bedding. They are simply small, flat pieces of wood. Aspen is extremely inexpensive, which is a large part of its draw. It is also fairly absorbent and decent at odor control. It isn't always the softest choice, and it can cause allergy issues in both humans and hamsters.
Similar Beddings - N/A
Further Reading - Source 1 ; Source 2
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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CareFresh (US, CAN, UK) - SAFE
General Information - CareFresh is perhaps the most common and well-known type of hamster bedding. CareFresh is clumps of pulp fibers, making it very dense and heavy. Its density makes it highly absorbent, which is its main claim to fame. It's also relatively soft. There are multiple types of CareFresh bedding - CareFresh Complete (classic CareFresh), CareFresh Custom for Small Animals, and CareFresh Custom for large animals. The only differences in these is the size of the chunks of bedding - all are safe for any animal. CareFresh comes in a range of colors, including purple, blue, white, brown, and rainbow. However, CareFresh can be dusty and is often an expensive choice. Note that only the paper-based varieties are safe--the CareFresh company also makes wood-based bedding types (CareFresh Shavings Plus and CareFresh Basic Blend). Both of these are made of softwood, so they are considered unsafe.
NOTE: In 2015, CareFresh released their new versions of bedding. There were some bad batches released, and reported deaths of animals from the bedding. CareFresh has not been forthcoming about information. Purchase with caution.
Similar Beddings - CritterCare, SoPhresh, Arm & Hammer Natural Pet Bedding, Fitch (UK)
Further Reading - Source 1
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Kaytee Clean & Cozy (US, CAN) - SAFE (unscented varieties only!)
General Information - Kaytee Clean & Cozy is a fairly common shredded paper bedding. The paper used is very similar in texture to shredded tissue paper--thin and whispy. Because of this, it is extremely soft, lightweight, and fluffy. Clean & Cozy is among the least-dusty beddings available. It comes in a few different colors, including white, pink, brown, purple, blue, and rainbow. The main weakness of this bedding is that it's not very absorbent. It tends to be a bit on the expensive side, though it is generally cheaper than Carefresh.
Similar Beddings - Kaytee Clean Comfort, Oxbow Pure Comfort, All Living Things Paper Pet Bedding
Further Reading - Source 1
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Boxo Comfort (US, CAN) - SAFE
General Information - Boxo Comfort is a shredded paper bedding. The paper used is thicker than tissue paper, but thinner than regular paper. It's similar to toilet paper or paper towels in texture. It's relatively soft and low dust, and is somewhat absorbent. Boxo Comfort is extremely inexpensive, making it an excellent choice for those on a budget. This bedding only comes in brown. A major issue with Boxo Comfort is that it's difficult to find in the US, as it's not carried by any chain stores--the only place to find it would be independent pet shops. It's easier to find in Canada, where Walmart stores often have it in stock. There used to be another version of this bedding (just plain "Boxo"), but it appears to be discontinued.
Similar Beddings - Supreme Cosi & Dri
Further Reading - Source 1
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Vitakraft Fresh World Crumbles (US, CAN) - SAFE
General Information - Fresh World is an expanded pelleted bedding. It's composed of many small, semi-fluffy pellets or granules. Unlike true pellets, it's fairly soft. This bedding is dense, and extremely absorbent. It comes in a dark grey color, and used to be available in blueish purple and pink as well (it is unclear whether or not these colors will continue to be available).
Similar Beddings - Planet Petco Paper Crumbles, National Geographic Comfort Bedding
Further Reading - Source 1
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EcoBedding (US, CAN) - SAFE
General Information - EcoBedding is made primarily of folded-up, crinkled paper strips. When fluffed up, the strips tangle up with each other and form a bouncy, springy mat that is excellent for holding burrows. It's generally well-priced, being cheaper than most other paper-based beddings. It comes in brown, blue, purple, and pink (it is unclear whether or not pink will continue to be available). The paper crinkles are a bit stiff, making it less than soft, and it can be somewhat dusty.
Similar Beddings - Carefresh Crinkles (basically identical)
Further Reading - Source 1
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Kaytee Soft Granules (US) - SAFE (unscented varieties only)
General Information - Kaytee Soft Granules are wood-fiber based bedding. This bedding is made of small, tan-colored granules ranging in size from tiny flecks to marble-sized balls. It's virtually dust-free and fairly absorbent. The granules are great for digging, but they do not hold burrows at all. A major problem with Kaytee Soft Granules is that (like most loose beddings) they are unbelievably expensive, costing far more than most other bedding types.
Similar Beddings - N/A
Further Reading - Source 1
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Green Dreamz (US) - SAFE
General Information - Green Dreamzzz is (as of this writing) a relatively new bedding made of recycled phonebooks. The ink used on these phonebooks is vegetable-based, so this bedding is safe. It's essentially what you would expect shredded phonebooks to be--lots of tiny, confetti-like pieces of thin paper. It's soft, although not absorbent. This bedding fluffs up more than you would imagine, but still not as much as CareFresh or something similar.
Similar Beddings - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
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Megazorb (UK) - SAFE
Thank you to WeepingMilkshakes for the information about this bedding!
General Information - Megazorb is actually meant to line horse stalls, but it is safe to use as hamster bedding. It is composed of small, lightweight clumps of paper that range from gray to light brown. It can either be fluffed up to remain loose, or compacted to keep its shape. Megazorb is highly absorbent, and extremely inexpensive. It can, however, be dusty, depending on the batch. It also needs to be ordered online, as it generally cannot be purchased in stores.
Similar Beddings - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
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Finacard (UK) - SAFE
General Information - Finacard bedding is shredded cardboard bedding. It's made of strips of fairly thin, flexible, brown cardboard. It ends up being a loose bedding. Finacard is very inexpensive, but it's not a particularly soft bedding.
Similar Beddings - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
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Aubiose / Hemp Bedding (UK, US [limited]) - SAFE
General Information - Aubiose is a hemp bedding. It's generally similar to very thin, finely-shredded aspen bedding.
Similar Beddings - Varous brands of hemp bedding
Further Reading - N/A
Oxbow Bene Terra Litter - SAFE
General Information - This is a pelleted wheatgrass litter. However, it not be used as a sole bedding, because the pellets are very hard and uncomfortable, not to mention poor for burrowing. Note that only paper-based cat litter is safe--any clumping cat litter should be avoided.
Similar Products - , All Living Things Ferret / Rabbit Litter, Vitakraft Fresh World Pellets, Planet Petco Paper Pellets, Back 2 Nature
Further Reading - N/A
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Twisty Nest - SAFE
General Information - Twisty nest is a paper-based nesting material. It's made of mostly small, white, thick squares of paper, with a few colorful bits of tissue paper mixed in. It's a loose texture, and isn't particularly soft. Nevertheless, some hamsters seem to enjoy digging in it. However, it is quite expensive--a small 2L bag costs $10.
Similar Products - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
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Quartz / Silica Sand - SAFE
General Information - Sand (non-dusty chinchilla sand, play sand, quartz reptile sand) is a great digging and bathing substance for hamsters. It keeps their fur conditioned, and can also double as a potty area. Sand is fine to use in small areas of the cage (typically in a dish), but it should not be used as a full bedding, due to its extremely poor odor control.
Similar Products - N/A
Further Reading - Source 1
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Toilet Paper / Paper towels - SAFE
General Information - Toilet paper and paper towels can make wonderful nesting material for hamsters.
Similar Products - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Shredded paper - SAFE
General Information - Plain, ink-less shredded paper is a safe nesting material.
Similar Products - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
Image courtesy of HoppingHammy
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Newspaper
General Information - Newspaper is only considered safe if it uses soy-based ink. Any other type of ink or unconfirmed ink is considered unsafe for hamsters.
Similar Products - N/A
Further Reading - N/A
Edited by Taxonomist, 04 April 2017 - 09:41 PM.
