Is Kaytee Bedding Safe for Hamsters? [7 Purposes]

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Is Kaytee Bedding Safe for Hamsters

Thinking of getting a hamster? It’s important to do some research before you get one. You should know what to feed your hamster, what kind of cage to purchase, and what bedding to use. You should also be aware of their nocturnal as well as solitary nature.

In this article, let’s discuss the different types of bedding available for hamsters and Is Kaytee bedding safe for hamsters?

Hamster Bedding

When in the wild, hamsters live in burrows. Living in burrows helps them stay cool in warm, dry climates and enables them to be nocturnal. These little critters can safely sleep in their burrows in the daytime and become active in the evenings. A hamster is capable of digging as deep as  0.7 meters.

When hamsters are kept in cages, it’s important to create an environment that resembles their natural habitat; this can be done by providing hamsters with bedding. Hamsters like to dig into their bedding and snuggle within to keep warm.

A basic test can determine whether certain bedding is safe to use or not.

Put a tiny piece of bedding inside a bowl of water. If the bedding disintegrates into the water, it’s soluble and safe to use. When making its nest, a hamster will pouch its bedding. If by chance, the hamster swallows some bedding, the bedding can easily pass through the hamster’s system without harming it.

Also read: Is a Pet Hamster Strong Enough to Survive Loud Auditory Stimuli?

Is Kaytee Bedding Safe for Hamsters?

Kaytee bedding is safe for hamsters to use. It is generally made of recycled materials and is comfortable for your hamster to nestle into. Kaytee bedding is specially crafted for small animals to enhance their comfort, security, and safety. There are many different categories of Kaytee bedding hamster owners can choose from, each with its unique qualities.

The Kaytee Soft Granule Blend bedding is bedding that is compostable and created of recycled materials. It’s fun for hamsters to use and play with. However, hamsters cant form nests or tunnels with this bedding as it’s not sturdy enough. Placing additional bedding such as paper-based or aspen might be a good idea.

Remember to stick to unscented versions when purchasing this Kaytee bedding category. This is because scented bedding can damage a hamster’s respiratory system and should be avoided.

The Kaytee Clean and Cozy Bedding for small animals is also a great option for hamsters. This bedding is completely natural and contains no artificial dyes or scents. As this bedding is white, it’s also very easy to detect soiled areas.

You can scoop out the dirty spots and let the rest remain. Add just a little more to make the bedding cushy. This bedding is also able to hold up nests and tunnels. Hence it’s an excellent option for dwarf hamsters.

This bedding is also light and spongy and expands as it fluffed up. It is also a completely dust-free option. However, this bedding is not odor resistant because it contains no artificial additives or chemicals.

The Kaytee Clean and Cozy bedding is also FDA-approved and comes at affordable prices. It is also twice as absorbent as wood shavings.

The Kaytee Natural Aspen Bedding is also a great option for hamsters. This option has a wonderful wood-like smell that your hamster will love.

Aspen bedding can sometimes have larger chunks of wood that can hurt a hamster’s foot as it runs around its home. The Kaytee Aspen Bedding does not have this problem. All pieces of wood are shaped into delicate pieces that can fluff around inside the cage.

This Kaytee Aspen bedding is specially processed, so it doesn’t contain dirt or debris. It also does not contain any harmful oils that can harm hamsters. It is also an environmentally friendly product as its biodegradable. This Kaytee bedding is also odor neutralizing.

The Kaytee Extreme Odor Control Bedding is also a great option. This bedding is perfect if you want to mask your hamster’s odor but not compromise its health. This bedding can mask bad smells for up to 14 days. This bedding is also very soft and thus comfortable for your hamster. Your hamster will love digging and snuggling into it.

One downside to this bedding option is that it has a rather strange smell itself. This bedding option is also dust free, which is very important for your hamster’s health. Hamsters cannot be comfortable or happy if they have difficulty breathing due to dust.

How Deep Should Hamster Bedding Be?

When laying down hamster bedding, ensure the bedding covers the entire surface area of the cage. It should also be deep enough for the hamster to dig in. Make sure the bedding is deep, so your hamster feels more comfortable.

For example, a German-style cage has a bedding depth of fifty centimeters. Also, research has shown that cages that have a bedding depth of more than forty cm are known to be better for Syrian hamsters and increase their welfare.

Compared to this, hamsters in cages with low bedding tend to show more wire gnawing tendencies. They are also more likely to run on the wheel for extended periods. If your hamster is not potty trained, you must keep two things in mind. Firstly, get a hamster cage that is adequately sized. Secondly, ensure enough depth of bedding to ensure odor control.

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Importance of Choosing the Right Bedding

Choosing the right hamster bedding is vital to ensure your hamster lives a happy, healthy life and remains unharmed. If your hamster is uncomfortable, it may not live very long. As a hamster owner, it’s your responsibility to keep your hamster as safe as possible.

Hamster bedding is supposed to make hamsters feel safe and secure. However, certain beddings may cause hamsters harm. This is if sharp chunks of wood or painful splinters present that can wound a hamster.

These would can often also get infected and cause problems. Some beddings also contain harmful materials that can make hamsters sick and cause suffocation.

Scented bedding can also be harmful to hamsters. Hamsters have a very strong smell, and unfamiliar scents can irritate them. Scented bedding can also cause respiratory issues in hamsters in the long run. Make sure the bedding you buy is not scented.

Scented bedding is beneficial for us as the hamster’s cage does not smell extremely unpleasant due to it. However, what is best for us isn’t always best for the hamster. Some scents can also be toxic for hamsters.

Safe hamster bedding options are mostly created from Aspen or Paper. Look out for all these factors when getting the right bedding.

Hamster bedding should also be easy to purchase. Do some research and find out which pet store keeps the bedding brand you want to purchase.

Paper bedding is one of the best bedding options for hamsters. However, make sure the paper used is not bleached and does not have ink on it. Some people also use kitchen or toilet paper and create bedding. However, this option can smell bad and cost much more than purchasing bedding made for hamsters.

Bedding Made From Toilet Paper

You can also make DIY bedding by tearing toilet paper into small bits. Toilet paper is designed to break down and disintegrate when submerged in water. Hence if your hamster swallows it by accident, it will not be harmed. Also, buy the cheapest quality toilet paper, which can break down easily if ingested. Also, purchase toilet paper that is not scented. This means simply sticking to the most affordable, basic type of toilet roll.

Added Textures

Multiple textures are known to enhance a hamster’s sensory experience. Adding some soil to your hamster’s bedding is also a good idea. It also creates a natural environment for the hamster, encouraging it to burrow.

However, don’t ever make the mistake of going to your garden and scooping up some soil. This is because the soil from your garden can contain harmful bacteria or bugs and be contaminated. Soil should be bought from the pet shop and should be organic. It should not contain any fertilizers or chemicals.

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Usage

Hamster bedding serves many purposes. Firstly it forms the ground on which your hamster walks and digs into.

The bedding also serves the purpose of absorbing hamster waste. It’s recommended to scoop out the spot that the hamster has soiled and leave the rest.

The bedding also protects the hamster when it’s too hot or cold. The different texture of the bedding also provides the hamster with enrichment.

Don’t lay it out evenly throughout the enclosure when laying down bedding in the hamster cage. Instead, keep some more in one section of the cage. This will allow the hamster to dig in and burrow in one cage area.

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