Little to No Dust Beddings
A lot of people do not realize how important a good bedding can be. Not only is it important for absorbency, comfort, and odor control, but it's important that the bedding be safe! Many people do not realize that unsafe bedding are being sold. This guide will help you to stay away from those bedding and to choose the best bedding for you and your pet.
Note: Information on these bedding are from personal findings, online sources, and other people's opinions that we've overheard.
Note: Information on these bedding are from personal findings, online sources, and other people's opinions that we've overheard.
List of Exceptional Bedding
CareFresh Bedding
CareFresh is made from biodegradable fiber and contains no ink, clay, or chemicals. We personally use this bedding. In my opinion, CareFresh is a good bedding because it is soft and safe. Our only complaint would be that it can be dusty sometimes. We cannot say anything for odor control because it is the only bedding we have used. CareFresh bedding occasionally harbors parasites (mites and lice) and can be frozen for 24-48 hours before use as a precaution.
Note: There are also the bedding's CareFresh Ultra and CareFresh Colors. CareFresh Ultra is said to be less dusty than the original, have better odor control, and have less of an odor itself. CareFresh Colors is also said to be less dusty than the original. Both, however, are also more expensive. :[
Pros
+ Soft and comfy.
+ Absorbent.
Cons
- Some complain about the odor of the bedding itself
(We personally have no problem with this)
- I've heard people say that it's not good with odor control.
- Many people complain that it is too dusty and irritates them or their pets.
- Can be expensive.
CareFresh is made from biodegradable fiber and contains no ink, clay, or chemicals. We personally use this bedding. In my opinion, CareFresh is a good bedding because it is soft and safe. Our only complaint would be that it can be dusty sometimes. We cannot say anything for odor control because it is the only bedding we have used. CareFresh bedding occasionally harbors parasites (mites and lice) and can be frozen for 24-48 hours before use as a precaution.
Note: There are also the bedding's CareFresh Ultra and CareFresh Colors. CareFresh Ultra is said to be less dusty than the original, have better odor control, and have less of an odor itself. CareFresh Colors is also said to be less dusty than the original. Both, however, are also more expensive. :[
Pros
+ Soft and comfy.
+ Absorbent.
Cons
- Some complain about the odor of the bedding itself
(We personally have no problem with this)
- I've heard people say that it's not good with odor control.
- Many people complain that it is too dusty and irritates them or their pets.
- Can be expensive.
KAYTEE Clean & Cozy Pet Bedding
Naturally-scented with real flowers, this bedding ensures your small animal's habitat feels clean and comfortable.
Note: this of course is available without the scents, it is just plain white bedding rather than having some color in it
Furnish your small animal's home with this Kaytee Clean & Cozy Scented Pet Bedding. This soft bedding features natural flower scents for odor control and high levels of absorption so your pet's habitat can stay clean and dry in between cleanings. Your little critter won't be able to resist burrowing and nesting in the soft, thick texture of this cozy bedding.
Pros
+ Extremely soft and comfy for the pets
+ Really absorbent
+ Safe for use as bedding or litter for small pets
+ Naturally scented with real flowers for a pleasant smell helps keep your pet's home clean and comfortable in between cleanings
+ Provides warmth and softness underfoot
Cons
- Can be expensive
Available in a 27.9L or 55.7L container
(of course the larger size will be giving you more for your money and this is with any bedding with multiple sizes)
Available in lavender and rose scents
(Non-toxic so it is safe for pets to have these scents, our rats love it)
Foot notes
Remove all bedding and wash enclosure with a mild soap solution at least once a week.
Rinse cage thoroughly with water to ensure the removal of soap residue
Animal consumption of any bedding product should be avoided. Not maintaining a clean cage could result in your pet developing respiratory problems due to ammonia build up in the cage caused by urine. Frequent cleaning depends on the size of your pet's home and the number of animals. Always replace bedding with fresh product. Used bedding should always be discarded.
Note: Mixtures of more than one good bedding can also work extremely well. For instance a little bit of CareFresh mixed with KAYTEE is great to try.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the bedding's available to you as a pet owner. There are many acceptable bedding's out there. Experiment and see what is best for you and your pet!
Naturally-scented with real flowers, this bedding ensures your small animal's habitat feels clean and comfortable.
Note: this of course is available without the scents, it is just plain white bedding rather than having some color in it
Furnish your small animal's home with this Kaytee Clean & Cozy Scented Pet Bedding. This soft bedding features natural flower scents for odor control and high levels of absorption so your pet's habitat can stay clean and dry in between cleanings. Your little critter won't be able to resist burrowing and nesting in the soft, thick texture of this cozy bedding.
Pros
+ Extremely soft and comfy for the pets
+ Really absorbent
+ Safe for use as bedding or litter for small pets
+ Naturally scented with real flowers for a pleasant smell helps keep your pet's home clean and comfortable in between cleanings
+ Provides warmth and softness underfoot
Cons
- Can be expensive
Available in a 27.9L or 55.7L container
(of course the larger size will be giving you more for your money and this is with any bedding with multiple sizes)
Available in lavender and rose scents
(Non-toxic so it is safe for pets to have these scents, our rats love it)
Foot notes
Remove all bedding and wash enclosure with a mild soap solution at least once a week.
Rinse cage thoroughly with water to ensure the removal of soap residue
Animal consumption of any bedding product should be avoided. Not maintaining a clean cage could result in your pet developing respiratory problems due to ammonia build up in the cage caused by urine. Frequent cleaning depends on the size of your pet's home and the number of animals. Always replace bedding with fresh product. Used bedding should always be discarded.
Note: Mixtures of more than one good bedding can also work extremely well. For instance a little bit of CareFresh mixed with KAYTEE is great to try.
Conclusion
These are only a few of the bedding's available to you as a pet owner. There are many acceptable bedding's out there. Experiment and see what is best for you and your pet!
Bedding to Stand Clear of
Bad Bedding
Cedar
Cedar bedding can be found in many pet stores and this is unfortunate. Cedar bedding should NEVER be used as bedding for any of your pets as it is toxic to all animals. Cedar bedding is characterized by it's "nice" smell, and is a softwood bedding consisting of wood shavings that are tan and "red" or brownish in color. What makes this bedding dangerous is also what makes it smell "nice". The oils/phenol that give this bedding it's smell are toxic and have been shown to cause problems with the respiratory system as well as the liver. Steer clear of this bedding!
Cedar bedding can be found in many pet stores and this is unfortunate. Cedar bedding should NEVER be used as bedding for any of your pets as it is toxic to all animals. Cedar bedding is characterized by it's "nice" smell, and is a softwood bedding consisting of wood shavings that are tan and "red" or brownish in color. What makes this bedding dangerous is also what makes it smell "nice". The oils/phenol that give this bedding it's smell are toxic and have been shown to cause problems with the respiratory system as well as the liver. Steer clear of this bedding!
Pine
Pine is another common pet store bedding. This bedding should also never be used for your pets. Pine is also a softwood bedding, characterized again by it's "pleasant" smell. It's shavings are typically tan and green in color or just tan. Pine is bad for the same reason cedar is. Though pine is said to have less of the dangerous oils/phenol, it does still have them. Stay away from this one too!
Note: There is also something called kiln-dried pine. This is pine bedding that has supposedly had it's phenol's all removed via kiln-drying. Some people consider this type of bedding to be safe, however there has been evidence to the contrary. We personally feel it's better safe than sorry.
Pine is another common pet store bedding. This bedding should also never be used for your pets. Pine is also a softwood bedding, characterized again by it's "pleasant" smell. It's shavings are typically tan and green in color or just tan. Pine is bad for the same reason cedar is. Though pine is said to have less of the dangerous oils/phenol, it does still have them. Stay away from this one too!
Note: There is also something called kiln-dried pine. This is pine bedding that has supposedly had it's phenol's all removed via kiln-drying. Some people consider this type of bedding to be safe, however there has been evidence to the contrary. We personally feel it's better safe than sorry.
Aspen
Aspen is a bedding made up of wood shavings like pine and cedar. However, unlike pine and cedar, aspen is a hardwood and not a softwood bedding, which means that it lacks the oils/phenol that pine and cedar have, making it a safe bedding option. The shavings are tan in color. Aspen bedding occasionally harbors parasites (mites and lice) and can be frozen for 24-48 hours before use as a precaution.
Note: Aspen also comes in pelleted form. Naturally the pelleted form isn't as soft as the shavings form, however it is said to be more absorbent and less messy.
Pros
+ Controls odor well.
+ Fairly absorbent.
+ Fairly cheap.
Cons
- Can be messy and tends to stick to things and get tracked around.
- Not the softest bedding out there.
Aspen is a bedding made up of wood shavings like pine and cedar. However, unlike pine and cedar, aspen is a hardwood and not a softwood bedding, which means that it lacks the oils/phenol that pine and cedar have, making it a safe bedding option. The shavings are tan in color. Aspen bedding occasionally harbors parasites (mites and lice) and can be frozen for 24-48 hours before use as a precaution.
Note: Aspen also comes in pelleted form. Naturally the pelleted form isn't as soft as the shavings form, however it is said to be more absorbent and less messy.
Pros
+ Controls odor well.
+ Fairly absorbent.
+ Fairly cheap.
Cons
- Can be messy and tends to stick to things and get tracked around.
- Not the softest bedding out there.
Corn cob
Corn cob is another fairly common bedding. Corn cob is considered a bad bedding because of it's tenancy to mold. There have also been reports of animals choking on the corn cob pieces or ingesting them, resulting in intestinal blockages.
Corn cob is another fairly common bedding. Corn cob is considered a bad bedding because of it's tenancy to mold. There have also been reports of animals choking on the corn cob pieces or ingesting them, resulting in intestinal blockages.
Sawdust
Sawdust bedding is unacceptable because of how fine the particles are. Sawdust can cause respiratory problems when inhaled.
Cat litter
Most cat litters are unacceptable as bedding. A lot of them are dusty, again causing respiratory ailments. Another problem is if it clumps. If an animal eats some clumping cat litter it can cause a blockage and kill the animal.
Sawdust bedding is unacceptable because of how fine the particles are. Sawdust can cause respiratory problems when inhaled.
Cat litter
Most cat litters are unacceptable as bedding. A lot of them are dusty, again causing respiratory ailments. Another problem is if it clumps. If an animal eats some clumping cat litter it can cause a blockage and kill the animal.