Hamsters and gerbils need bedding deep enough to burrow in, 20 cm (8 in) or more, while guinea pigs need a shallower bed. Pick your pet for the depth and what to use.
Which pet?
Bedding
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What to keep out
Cedar and pine: the MSD manual says to avoid them for hamsters, and RSPCA and RVC rule out pine for guinea pigs.
Thin strands and cotton: RSPCA warns against nesting that separates into strands, such as cotton wool, for hamsters, and the MSD manual says cotton fibers can wrap around a sugar glider’s toes.
Sawdust: RSPCA and Scottish SPCA rule it out for gerbils, PDSA for hamsters and RVC for hedgehogs.
Sugar gliders, rabbits and ferrets
For sugar gliders, the MSD manual says to avoid pine and other softwood shavings, as their oils can irritate the airways, and cotton bedding. Our sources give no bedding depth for rabbits, ferrets or sugar gliders. VCA says not to use cat litter for ferrets, which may eat it.
Common questions
Is pine bedding safe for small pets?
No: the MSD manual says to avoid cedar and pine for hamsters, and RSPCA and RVC rule out pine for guinea pigs.
Can I use wood shavings?
RSPCA allows dust-free wood shavings for hamsters and guinea pigs, but PDSA calls shavings too dusty for hamsters, and RSPCA Australia avoids them for guinea pigs.
Bedding advice comes from RSPCA, RSPCA Australia, PDSA, Woodgreen and Scottish SPCA (pet charities), the Royal Veterinary College, VCA Animal Hospitals and the MSD Veterinary Manual. Checked against published data from MSD Veterinary Manual, RSPCA, Royal Veterinary College, Woodgreen Pets Charity and PDSA (plus 3 more).
See all 19 sources
RSPCA, Hamsters: environment, company and diet
RSPCA, Gerbils: environment, company and diet
RSPCA, Guinea pigs: environment, diet and company
RSPCA, Chinchillas: environment, diet and company
PDSA (UK vet charity), Hamsters as pets
Woodgreen Pets Charity, Caring for hamsters; What to feed your hamster
Woodgreen Pets Charity, How to house your gerbils
Scottish SPCA, Keeping gerbils as pets
RSPCA Australia knowledgebase, Where should I keep my guinea pigs?; What should I feed my guinea pigs?
Royal Veterinary College, Gerbil care, December 2022 (PDF)
Royal Veterinary College, Guinea pig care; Guinea pig feeding guidelines, December 2022 (PDFs)
Royal Veterinary College, Chinchilla care, December 2022 (PDF)
Royal Veterinary College, African pygmy hedgehog care, December 2022 (PDF)
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, pet-owner edition), Providing a home for a hamster
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, pet-owner edition), Providing a home for a gerbil
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, pet-owner edition), Providing a home for a chinchilla
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, pet-owner edition), Providing a home for a sugar glider
MSD Veterinary Manual (Merck, veterinary professional edition), Management of four-toed (African pygmy) hedgehogs
VCA Animal Hospitals, Chinchillas: housing
General care guidance from animal welfare charities, vets and makers' published sizes. It isn't veterinary advice: if your pet seems unwell or has eaten something it shouldn't, call your vet.