The essential things to have when getting a chinchilla pet are a chinchilla cage and bedding. The cage gets quite smelly and nasty without the bedding. Also known as litter, the bedding keeps the cage clean and dry.
So, if you are getting a small pet soon, you will definitely need this. Whether it’s a guinea pig, chinchilla, or a rabbit, you will need high-quality bedding for the cage.
Here is a list of the 5 best bedding for small pets. As always, there will be a buying guide at the end so you can find out more about litter bedding.
Best Small Pet Bedding Comparison Table
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Best Overall
Small Pet Select Unbleached White Paper Bedding
Highlighted Features
- Unbleached White Paper
- Soft & Absorbent
- 56 L Pack
- Dust-Free
- Sludge-Free
This is always my go-to option. High-quality bedding that’s 100% safe for small pets. It’s efficient and comfortable for the pet. Most likely, this is the most expensive bedding you will find. There’s a reason for that, it’s the absolute best bedding right now.
Made out of unbleached white paper. Paper beddings are super absorbent and soft. It keeps the cage comfortable and clean. Another great thing is that it’s white, it makes spotting litter so much easier.
Cheap, off-brand bedding sometimes contains silica dust which causes some respiratory issues. This product is 99% dust-free and sludge-free. Sludge is another component that can be harmful to pets. You can be sure that this bedding is safe for your pet.
You can get this in 4 different sizes. I have the 56 L pack linked here. Feel free to go for something else. The sizes available are one 56 L pack, eight 56 L packs, one 178 L pack, and three 178 L packs. My advice is to try it first, if you like it, you will definitely stock up.
There you are, that’s my first recommendation, a Small Pet Select product. The best brand for small pet food and bedding. I know that it’s a bit expensive but quite worth it.
Pros
- Ultra-soft and super absorbent.
- Dust-free and sludge-free, safe for pets.
- Made out of unbleached white paper.
Cons
- Expensive to stock up.
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Best Budget
Kaytee Clean & Cozy Small Animal Pet Bedding
Highlighted Features
- 6x Absorption Rate
- 99% Dust-Free
- Odor Control
- Recycled Fiber Strands
- Multiple Scents
Here is the budget option, safe and reliable chinchilla cage bedding for a cheap price. Stocking up with the Kaytee Clean & Cozy small pet bedding will not hurt your wallet. More importantly, your pet will be safe and it will enjoy the fluffiness.
Made out of long recycled fiber strands that are two times more absorbent than wood litter. This bedding can absorb liquids up to 6 times its weight. Impressively soft as well, a delight for small pets. Burrowing will be really cozy, the bedding has a soft fluffy texture.
This bedding has odor elimination as well. The bedding comes in multiple scents, whatever you choose. The scents are safe for the pet but will control the odor. Keeps the cage dry but clean and smelling good too.
No worries about silica dust. The Clean & Cozy bedding is 99.99% dust-free. No respiratory issues with this product. Up to FDA standards, made in the USA.
It’s available in a variety of colors. You choose the color and the scent. That’s it, if you are looking for a budget option, I recommend this. Available in 49.2 L packs, 24.6 L packs, and 100 L packs.
Pros
- Eliminates litter odor efficiently.
- Reasonable price for stocking up.
- Safe for pets, 99% dust-free.
Cons
- Made out of recycled fiber.
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Best Runner-Up
OleyHemp OH! Small Pet Bedding
Highlighted Features
- All Natural
- Biodegradable
- Chemical Free
- Super Absorbent
- Odor Control
Now, if you want something safe, something natural, take a look at this OleyHemp product. A biodegradable small pet bedding for a reasonable price. Let’s check this environment-friendly bedding
Made out of US-grown hemp. It’s completely renewable, which earns it quite a lot of points, eco-friendly bedding. All-natural, which means it’s biodegradable. It doesn’t contain any chemicals, it has a low dust percentage. Also, it has no taste, so the chinchilla won’t be tempted to try it.
Impressively soft and absorbent. When hemp is produced with high quality, it can do wonders. This bedding makes sure that the cage is dry at all times. What’s better is that it eliminates odor. If you are looking for something with odor control, consider this.
I highly recommend this. Anti-microbial, super-absorbent, odor-free, non-toxic, and sustainable. A product you won’t regret buying. All that at a reasonable price. If you are concerned about the waste white paper bedding causes, consider this all-natural small pet bedding.
Pros
- Eco-friendly and chemical-free.
- 7x more absorbent and odorless.
- US-grown.
Cons
- Hard to spot used litter.
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Best Small Pet Bedding For Odor Control
Carefresh Small Pet Bedding
Highlighted Features
- Natural Paper Fiber
- Pillowy Soft
- Odor Control
- Dust-Free
- Super Absorbent
Spotting used litter without cleaning the entire cage is kind of hard. Usually, the bad odor from the litter is what tells you to change the bedding. If you can’t handle that bad smell, something with excellent odor control is what you need. That’s why I’m recommending the Carefresh Small Pet Bedding.
Featuring superior odor control. This Carefresh product can eliminate ammonia odors for up to 10 days. Special formula for odor control. More so, it’s safe to use for hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies, and chinchillas. No need to worry about that bad smell anymore.
The bedding, overall, has good quality, the odor control is just that special thing. The paper is made out of natural fibers that are completely biodegradable. Pillowy soft and 2x absorbent keeps the cage soft and dry.
As already mentioned, this is natural paper bedding, so you don’t have to worry about any toxic chemicals. Also, the bedding is 99% dust-free. Safe to use for pets, up to FDA standards. What’s impressive is that it comes at a really reasonable price. The 50 L litter pack is not expensive at all, not as cheap as the best budget option.
There are plenty of pack-size options so you can stock up accordingly. You can find 10 L, 14 L, 23 L, 30 L, 50 L, and 60 L packs. Definitely one of the top 5 small pet bedding right now, I highly recommend it, especially if you are looking for good odor control.
Pros
- Kills ammonia odors for up to 10 days.
- Made from natural sources.
- Contains no toxic chemicals and is dust-free.
- Reasonable price.
Cons
- Has a particular scent.
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Best Small Pet Bedding For Allergies
Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding
Highlighted Features
- 100% Natural Paper
- Ultra Soft
- Super Absorbent
- 56 L Pack
- Made In The USA
Chinchillas are not exactly hypoallergenic but it’s very rare for a pet owner to be allergic to the chinchilla. The problem comes in with the bedding. People with severe allergies can’t tolerate the bedding and sometimes the diet. So, our last item, specifically for allergic pet owners, A Small Pet Select product.
100% natural paper made out of unbleached pure paper that has never been printed. Safety is guaranteed with this product. Up to safety standards and made in the USA. Safe for the pet and pet owner with severe allergies.
Featuring ultra-soft texture, I would say this is the softest bedding here. Somehow, the absorbent properties are preserved. The bedding is super-absorbent as well, it will keep the cage dry. Perfectly comfortable for burrowing.
Available in huge sizes. There are packs of 178 L, 56 L, 356 L, 448 L, and 534 L. Don’t be startled by how small the packs are. They expand up to 3 times from the packaged size.
There you go, the last item on our list. I know a lot of allergic pet owners that can tolerate the pet but have a huge issue with the bedding. That’s why I wanted to recommend the Small Pet Select Natural Paper Bedding. It’s a bit expensive but at least you don’t have to deal with your allergies.
Pros
- 100% Safe.
- The softest and most comfortable bedding.
- Available in huge sizes.
Cons
- Not as absorbent as the other products.
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Small Pet Bedding – Buying Guide
I guess there are some readers that are here because they are setting up their first chinchilla cage. Some of the things I talked about maybe new and confusing to you. So, let this buying guide help you so you don’t have to research every detail.
Bedding Source
What the bedding is made out of and how it’s processed is the most important thing here. Mostly, you will find paper bedding and pellet bedding. My advice is, stick with paper bedding. Wooden bedding is more likely to carry chemicals. More so, even if it doesn’t contain chemicals it has to be processed quite a lot.
Paper bedding can also be unsafe but that is only if it’s made out of already printed paper. So, the only thing you need to do is look for natural paper bedding. This is by far the safest choice for your small pet. Look for paper bedding made out of paper that’s never been printed.
Dust-Free
Now, no matter what the bedding is made out of, there may be chemicals added during the processing. Luckily, that’s why we have the FDA. Chemical-free products are always advertised like that. Make sure the bedding doesn’t contain any toxic chemicals.
The most common chemicals to look out for are silica dust and sludge. Bedding can’t be completely free from silica dust, but manufacturers come quite close. All of the products on the list are 99% free of dust.
Silica dust can cause respiratory issues to most small pets, so it’s really important to pick something dust-free.
Soft & Comfortable
While safety comes first, comfort is important as well. Most small pets like to burrow in the bedding. Soft bedding is always more comfortable for the pet.
So, after making sure that the product you are getting is safe for the pet, make sure it’s soft as well. All of the items on this list are ultra-soft. Provide a comfortable environment for your pet.
Absorbent
The primary function of bedding is to suck up all the litter so the cage won’t be messy and leaky. The bedding must be super-absorbent. I believe that most of the products out there are quite good at this, some more than others though.
All of the items on this list are super-absorbent, so take your pick. My advice is to stick with paper bedding when it comes to absorbent properties.
Odor Control
This part is optional. Some people like odor control some don’t. The thing is, odor control bedding has a particular scent that some people despise more than the ammonia odor.
So, this is up to you. Would you rather go for odorless bedding or odor control bedding? If you decide on odor control, make sure that the scent is not dangerous for the pet.
Price
Bedding is something that you will need to stock up on. Opinions differ here but it’s recommended that you replace the heavily used litter. Also, you will need to partially change the bedding once a month or two.
The entire bedding should be changed every 3-6 months. It depends on how sustainable and durable the bedding is. So, that means that you will need to have bedding in stock. Buying something expensive in large sizes can hurt your wallet.
So, think about your budget. Don’t overspend here. If you catch something on a sale, be sure to get it.
Related Questions And Other FAQs
What Bedding Is Safe For Chinchillas
Never printed paper bedding is the preferred option. Something natural, biodegradable, without any toxic chemicals. Low dust percentage. Wood bedding should be avoided, such as pine and cedar. Wooden bedding often has chemicals that are not safe for small pets.
Should Chinchillas Have Bedding
Yes, chinchillas need bedding to keep the cage clean and dry. Don’t use improvised bedding, it’s not safe for the pet. Hay, paper bedding, or recycled wood pulp are all good options. Paper bedding is the safest by far.
Is Bedding Or Fleece Better For Chinchillas
Fleece in all aspects should be better for chinchillas. It’s more absorbent, more comfortable, and more sustainable. However, fleece exposes the pet to potential danger. Chinchillas love fleece so they may try to chew it.
