There are several kinds of bedding you can put in the cages of our rodents and rabbits: straw, hay, shavings, bark, hemp, maize, pellets, and so on.
Straw
Pros: the animals can nibble it, it is cheap to buy and it makes attractive-looking bedding.
Cons: it is not very absorbent.
Hay
Pros: just like straw, the animals can eat it and it is inexpensive.
Cons: you need to put down a thick layer for it to absorb much.
Wood shavings (sawdust)
Pros: they absorb very well, and they are the cheapest bedding.
Cons: they stay damp when the animal relieves itself, and that damp can cause infections under the feet (pododermatitis), especially in an animal that does not move about much. Shavings are also very dusty and can cause breathing problems; they should be avoided at all costs in rats and mice (very prone to respiratory problems) and in any other sensitive animal. They also catch very easily in the fur (turning the animals into pretty little Christmas trees!) and fly about everywhere.
Bark (large shavings)
Pros: it is attractive-looking bedding (a “woodland” look!) and produces little dust.
Cons: it is not very absorbent.
Hemp
Pros: it is good bedding, low in dust and nicely absorbent, ideal for rats.
Cons: it is dearer than the other beddings.
Maize (small granules)
Pros: it is the least dusty bedding, and very handy since it does not catch in the fur and is easy to change.
Cons: the price! And sometimes hard to find, depending on where you are.
“Pellets” (cat-litter-style granules)
Pros: they make very little dust, and turn to powder when wet, which makes them easy to change.
Cons: not really pleasant for our little rodents’ feet.
Each bedding therefore has its pros and cons; it is up to each of us to choose the one that best suits our animals. Personally, I put a layer of shavings at the bottom of the tray and a good layer of straw on top for my rabbits and guinea pigs (the shavings soak up the urine well, while the straw keeps the animals off the damp), and maize for my mice.
By Stéphanie, trainee veterinary nurse