October 23, 2019

Best Hamster Bedding For Odor Control

Hamster Bedding For Odor Control

When searching for bedding for your hamster, you should consider the following: his comfort; your ability to clean his habitat; the price of the product; and the product's odor control.

Your hamster will spend most of his life in the cage and burrowed in bedding, so his comfort must be prioritized. Hamsters may also produce unpleasant odors, which may be reduced with the right bedding and regular cleaning.

I have reviewed some popular odor control beddings to help you select the best product for your hamster:

Top 5: Hamster Bedding For Controlling Odor

Kaytee Clean & Cozy Extreme Odor Control Pet Bedding, 65L

Kaytee Clean and Cozy is generally the most well liked by my hamster, Griffin; it is very cozy for him to burrow into and live in. Now, Kaytee has developed a version of Clean and Cozy with an element pet parents will love; odor control. This bedding also absorbs six times it's weight in liquid, making cage cleaning a simpler task.

This bedding is eligible for Amazon Prime Shipping, and pet parents may select "subscribe and save" to have bedding delivered to their homes when they will need it at a reduced price.


Pros

  • This product is very soft.
  • Clean and Cozy Extreme Odor Control has a fourteen day odor free guarantee; pet parents can receive a refund if the bedding does not control odors for fourteen days.
  • Pet parents report that this bedding is well liked by hamsters, gerbils, guinea pigs, and mice, making this product ideal for families with multiple small pets.
  • This bedding is made in America.

Cons

  • Some pet parents think this product is expensive.
  • Other pet parents report that the scent of the product is overwhelming.
SO PHRESH Scented Crumbled Paper Small Animal Bedding, 40 Liters (2440 cu. in.)

So Phresh Bedding is made of crumbled paper, is 99% dust free, and recommended by veterinarians. The bedding soft and easy for hamsters to arrange into a cozy burrow. Pet parents report that this bedding makes spot cleaning easy and it controls odors well. It is also biodegradable for the green hamster parents who compost waste at home.


Pros

  • This product is a great option for pet parents with allergies; it is 100% non-allergenic.
  • The product is made from 95% recycled paper.
  • The product is made with baking soda, which is good for controlling odors.

Cons

  • This product is only available in one color.
  • This product is scented; you or your pet may find the smell unappealing.
carefresh Complete Natural Paper Bedding Confetti, 10L

Carefresh Bedding is another variety of bedding that pets love to live in. My hamster Griffin makes himself comfortable in this bedding very quickly. It is soft to the touch and easily conforms to his burrowing.

This product is also very absorbent and 99% dust free. What sets Carefresh apart is that the bedding is made from natural sources of wood and cellulose fibers, free of chemicals, to protect the health of your small pet and the future of our planet.


Pros

  • This product offers ten days of odor control.
  • This product is available in a variety of colors to match any habitat decor theme.
  • It is Amazon prime eligible, and pet parents may receive a subscribe and save discount.

Cons

  • Pet parents report that it is difficult to spot clean this variety of bedding.
Arm & Hammer Super-Absorbent Cage Liners for Guinea Pigs, Hamsters, Rabbits & All Small Animals | Best Cage Liners for Small Animals, 7 Count

While the Arm & Hammer Cage liners may make clean up easier for pet parents and appear less wasteful than traditional bedding, these cage liners have limitations; the liners are not intended to replace bedding. They are designed to line the bottom of a pet's habitat to catch urine that is not absorbed by their bedding.

The Arm & Hammer cage liners are great for absorbing liquid waste, preventing the residue left from urine on the bottom of a cage. Since they are designed to be placed beneath bedding, it would be very difficult to change them without removing everything from your pet's habitat.

Frequent complete cage cleanings can be stressful to small animals. These liners are best suited for guinea pigs and rabbits, as they produce more urine than the smaller members of the small animal family.


Pros

  • The liners may be trimmed to better fit an animal's habitat.
  • Placing these liners over a wire cage bottom may help make the cage safer for small animals to reside in.
  • The liners are unscented.
  • According to pet parents, one liner lasts approximately one week.

Cons

  • Since most small animals like to burrow, the only small pet these cage liners are truly appropriate for are rabbits, especially rabbits who are litter box trained.
SO PHRESH Natural Softwood Small Animal Bedding, 56.6 Liters (500 cu. in.)

The most significant benefit to wood shavings as bedding for small animals is that it is usually inexpensive and all natural. While this So Phresh Bedding checks the box of being all natural, pet parents report that the price has doubled over the last year.

Another concern pet parents should have when considering wood shavings for bedding is that they may cause respiratory issues in small animals. Some pet parents report that they have used this type of bedding successfully for years.

Although this bedding is advertised as being low dust, pet parents report that it is dusty and they have had to allow the bedding to air out before allowing their pets to use it.


Pros

  • The natural scent of spruce, fir, and pine wood is pleasant and safer than chemical scents in other beddings.
  • Pet parents report that they have not found any splinters or sharp pieces in their pet's bedding.
  • Pet parents report that this bedding absorbs liquid well.
  • Wood shavings may be used as part of a compost pile.

Cons

  • Wood shavings may irritate the respiratory systems of small animals.
  • While this bedding is not rough and sharp, it is not as soft as other types of small pet bedding.
  • Pet parents report that this type of bedding is difficult to spot clean.

Implementing a Successful Odor Control Game Plan

While the type of bedding that is used may help control odors, the product you select is only one factor of a successful odor control game plan. There are other ways to help control the odors in your hamster's cage, such as:

Getting into a Clean Routine

The most significant step to defeating odors is getting in the habit of regularly cleaning your hamster's cage.

100% cleanings weekly will cause your hamster become stressed out, plus you will waste bedding. You have probably observed your hamster burrowing and making himself at home in his cage, and you might feel bad undoing all of his hard work anyway.

Every day, remove any uneaten food, especially perishable items such as fruits and veggies. If you have multiple hamsters, be sure to check the bedding for deceased babies or deceased adults that should be removed.

Every week, spot clean your hamster's habitat by picking out the dirty bedding and add a equal amount of clean bedding. Try to train your hamster to use a litter box to make this task extra efficient.

Every month or six weeks, depending on when you notice odors, take your hamster out of the cage and put him in a smaller cage or in his hamster ball, then remove all of the bedding. Clean off all of his toys and dishes with moist paper towels, not with chemicals. Then use Nature's Miracle Cage Cleaner to break down any residue from urine.

Keep the following tips in mind:

  • The above recommended routine is based upon a single hamster's habitat. The more hamsters you have, the more often you will have to clean to control odors.
  • Be sure to thoroughly wipe away all of the cleaner before adding new bedding and returning your hamster to his cage.
  • You should not to use a cage cleaning chemical weekly, as it is not healthy for your hamster.

By forming a cleaning routine, your hamster's cage should not accumulate unpleasant odors. If you have a hard time remembering to do these things, consider setting a reminder for yourself on your cell phone, or dedicate a certain day of the week and day of the month to perform these tasks.

Using the Right Amount of Bedding

Be sure to add approximately two to three inches of bedding to your hamster's habitat. They need this depth for a few reasons:

  • Hamsters have an instinct to burrow and they need a place to perform this instinct to be happy. They will become stressed if they do not have a place to burrow.
  • Hamsters may move bedding to create a cozy nest to burrow in, and if they do not have enough bedding, the floor of their habitat will be exposed. This will leave puddles of urine, or cause them to be uncomfortable or ill.
  • The recommended depth of two to three inches is sufficient to absorb urine, which will help control odors.

Keep in mind that the right amount bedding does not mean you will never have to clean your hamster's cage, and bedding does not clean the cage for you.

Choosing the Best Type of Cage

The best type of cage to keep a hamster in is a rectangular glass fish tank with a mesh lid. The mesh lid is essential to allowing good ventilation in your hamster's habitat, not only for their quality of life, but also to prevent a build up of odors. The more ventilation a habitat has, the less odor will accumulate. Further, is it not healthy for a hamster to be trapped inside with the odors of his waste.

One hamster should reside in at least a ten gallon aquarium, but ideally twenty to forty gallons. The larger the cage, the less odor you will have.

Classic hamster cages made of wire and plastic may be cute and offer good ventilation, but they are small and difficult to clean. The smaller the cage, the more odor will accumulate due to the waste being concentrated in a smaller area.

Even though they are small, hamsters are smart and may think of a not so pleasant idea to keep their quarters clean in this style of cage, like my hamster Griffin. He climbed up the wire to poop outside of the cage!

He no longer had the option once I moved him into a fish aquarium. I also found that he established a potty corner, which made spot cleaning a snap.

Choosing your Hamster

My personal recommendation is one male hamster of any variety. Some pet parents have told me they noticed that smaller varieties of hamsters tend to have fewer odors than their larger cousins; I have only had a short haired hamster, so I cannot confirm if this is true.

Female hamsters also tend to have a heavy scent when they are in heat. Also, the more hamsters you have, the more likely it is that their cage will smell unpleasant, and choosing the largest possible habitat will not make a difference.

Hamster Care For Beginners

There are certain lessons that can only be learned by owning and caring for a pet. Caring for a living creature selflessly can be a great source of therapy; feeding him and keeping him healthy is a challenge that most pet lovers would agree is worth it.

If you want a lovable companion that doesn't take up too much space, consider getting a hamster. Hamsters are among the most popular pets in the world for their quirks, including the cheek pockets that they fill with food.

They’re loved for their curious personality and adorable looks. Everyone has seen a little hamster running a race on his wheel as if his life depended on it.

Hamsters can do more if trained correctly. With enough patience, your hamster can learn to do tricks; the Internet is full of clips of hamsters running obstacle courses or playing basketball.

If you are thinking about getting a hamster, it’s important to know the basics of hamster care. They’re often made out to be low-maintenance, but this is not the case; like any other animal, they deserve the appropriate environment to live happy and healthy.

Here are a few basic requirements for hamster care that you should follow to keep your furry friend happy.

Choosing a Hamster

What's the first thing you should do if considering a hamster for a pet? It's important to do your research and choose what kind of hamster you want to buy. There are four common breeds that people can adopt as pets.

These breeds are the Syrian, Winter White, Chinese, Roborovski.

If you're wondering what the difference is between the four hamster breeds, the first thing you should take into account is their temperaments. They're different from one another, and each kind needs special care.

For example, the small Roborovski hamster is incredibly fast and difficult to tame. The Syrian is the preferred breed if you're getting a pet for children because they tend to be more mellow.

Ask for help at the pet store if you can’t decide which hamster is best for you.

Remember that, no matter what kind of hamster you go for, it’s a living creature. It will require your care and attention for the rest of its short life. If you don’t think you’ll have the time to play with it or clean its cage, a hamster might not be the pet for you.

Picking a Cage

A common mistake made by many beginner hamster owners is their choice of a cage. The colorful cages you find at the pet store might be pretty, but they don’t have enough space for your pet hamster. The ideal size for a hamster cage is 24 inches by 12 inches, and the height should be about 12 inches.

It doesn’t matter the size of the hamster; this creature needs ample space to run and play. Putting a hamster wheel in a little cage does not make up for the limitations of putting a hamster in a cage that’s too small for him.

A happy hamster has spaces in which to hide and plenty of toys.

Decorating the Cage

What should you put in your hamster cage for him to play with? This is another common question asked by new pet owners. There are some ideal layouts that might look complicated at first, but you might find that decorating your hamster’s cage is fun!

Your hamster is nocturnal, which means there should be places for him to hide during the day.

Your pet store should have hamster houses in stock, or you can use a jar in your kitchen. If it’s big enough to provide a comfortable hideout, clean and disinfect the jar, then scatter some bedding inside of it.

Make sure there are plenty of toys for your hamster to chew on. Because their front teeth never stop growing, hamsters need to grind them down on pieces of wood or plastic.

A hamster will be very uncomfortable if his teeth grow to be too big, so don’t neglect the chewy toys!

Hamsters like to climb. Give them lots of obstacles that they can explore, such as tunnels and bridges made of wood. Above all, include the wheel, but make sure it’s the right size for your hamster.

If the wheel is too small for your hamster, it’ll hurt his back when he uses it.

For more suggestions on hamster toys, visit this site. You don’t need an Instagram-worthy cage, but if you love your new pet, you’ll make sure that he’s happy in his new setup.

Feeding Your Hamster

Though you can purchase bags of ready-made hamster food at the store, part of the fun of owning a pet is preparing treats for them.

Do an online search and find out what vegetables they can eat. To start with, you can feed them apples, asparagus, or bananas. Like anything else, this should be given to them in moderation.

Carrots are a favorite for hamsters, as well as alfalfa. Drops of frozen yogurt make a good dessert for them. Once you know what you are feeding them and how much you should give them, you can prepare homemade meals for your hamster, which is a great way for you to bond with them.

Don’t give your hamster human food. A cookie might look like a small snack to you, but your hamster is smaller, and it will have too much sugar for his little body. Remember that you are responsible for their health now, and part of that means keeping them on a healthy and balanced diet.

If they eat well and have enough space for exercise, they’ll have a long and happy life.

Playing With Your Hamster

After you bring your new pet home from the store, it will take a few days for them to trust you enough to play with you. It’s better to let them hide and adjust to their new environment; don’t force them to come out into the open.

Many people suggest leaving a sock or other bit of cloth with your smell on it inside of their cage so that they can adjust to it.

Some hamsters mellow out over time after they are brought home; some don’t, and remain biters for the rest of their lives. Each animal has his own personality, and if you don’t think a biting hamster is something you can handle, consider rehoming it to someone who will give it the proper care.

If your hamster does get used to you, you’re forming a great friendship. Practice picking them up by putting food on your hand and letting them climb on. If they seem hesitant to trust you, you might have to do this several times.

When the hamster is comfortable sitting on your hand, play with him over a cardboard box; that way, if he jumps off in a moment of playfulness, you won’t have to chase him all over the house. This will keep him out of danger and prevent stress for you.

Cleaning Your Hamster’s Cage

If you don’t keep your hamster’s cage clean, they could become ill. You should clean out your hamster’s cage at least twice a month. If you clean it more often, you might cause your hamster stress, as the hamster grows accustomed to the scent of his cage.

Let your hamster play in a plastic container while you are cleaning his cage.

Use the opportunity to examine the inside of the cage for signs of illness or injury; check your hamster’s droppings for anything unusual. Deep-clean the bottom of the cage, scrubbing away the dirt.

We also suggest that you carry out smaller cleaning sessions every day, such as checking your hamster’s water bottle to ensure that it is not empty or leaking.

Remove uneaten vegetables before they rot. If the cage smells unusually bad, there might be old food somewhere inside of it; search the bedding until you find it and throw it away.

Don’t forget to wash your hamster’s toys, such as the hamster wheel and the house where he sleeps. If possible, clean them with hot water and remove all of the dirt from their surfaces. Remove old chewy toys and give them new, clean ones.

Protecting Your Hamster

If you’re bringing your hamster into a home where there are already pets such as dogs and cats, the hamster is vulnerable to your dog or cat. Keep an eye on him; put him in a room where you can close the door, and don’t allow your larger pets to come nearer.

Even if your dog has a friendly temperament around you, he doesn’t know what the hamster is, and in his attempt to play with the new pet, he might put the hamster in danger.

Another aspect of protecting your hamster involves ensuring his cage is secure. This way, you are preventing an escapade that could end in him getting hurt.

Make sure there is no chance of his climbing over the top of the cage or chewing his way through the bottom. Your hamster’s own curiosity can be dangerous for him, so make sure he doesn’t escape.

Keep your hamster away from windows where it becomes hot in the day. Fans can also be dangerous for your hamster.

Find a spot in your house with a neutral temperature. Hamsters prefer darkness, being blind, and are happier in quiet places where they can get their sleep during the day.

Finally, hamsters are solitary creatures. They do not get along with one another. If you want to have more than one hamster, make sure they are in separate cages and cannot see each other.

If two grown hamsters are kept in the same cage, they could fight each other to injury or even to death.

Can Hamsters Travel?

We do not recommend that you take your hamster with you on vacations because they become distressed in unfamiliar settings.

The only situation in which a hamster should travel is if they’re going to a vet’s appointment or if you’re moving. A stressed hamster becomes tense and can fall ill; limit their travel as much as possible.

If you need to go on vacation, hire someone you trust to come and feed them, such as a neighbor or friend. Remind them that the hamster isn’t familiar with them, so they should not try to handle the hamster.

Keeping Your Hamster Healthy

Your hamster has a short life span, compared to other pets. Hamsters in ideal conditions live for 3 years on average.

This requires that they are kept on a healthy diet and have enough room to exercise. If you take the time to create an ideal environment, your hamster will live a full and happy life.

If you find that you cannot care for your hamster, or feel that he takes up too much for your schedule, don’t feel bad to find another owner who can give him the attention due.

The hamster will be happier in a place where all of his needs are met, and you won’t have to worry about whether he is safe.

Conclusion

Hamsters make for wonderful pets, and will bring you plenty of joyful moments.

Owning one requires work, so make sure that you are well-equipped with all that they need, and enough time to take care of them. Like any other pet, they need to be tended to with great patience and care.

A happy hamster will be joyfully running on his wheel at night and filling his cheek pockets with food. If you do get a hamster, you'll find in him a new best friend.

Final Verdict

Based upon my experience with my hamsters, I recommend either Kaytee Clean & Cozy Extreme Odor Control or Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding.

Considering how much of your hamster's life will be spent in his cage, burrowing in his bedding, choosing the right product is very important. This product has the potential to enrich a hamster's life, making him feel safe and happy, or it may cause him to experience respiratory issues and negatively impact his quality of life.

By following the tips offered in this article, your hamster's cage will not be a source of stink.


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