Dwarf Hamster Bedding

What’s the big deal about dwarf hamster bedding?  Why does your hamster even need it?  If you’re the kind of person that likes to question thing before you do them then you might just be wondering why we, as owners, buy bedding for our dwarf hamster homes.  Or maybe you’ve never thought about it until just now (I know when I first started raising dwarf hamsters I never really thought much of it).  Well, it’s always good to know the reasons for doing things and knowing the importance of dwarf hamster bedding will not only help you understand your pet much better, but it may even put a smile on your face whenever you’re busy with the task of replacing it.

The Importance of Dwarf Hamster Bedding
Bedding is actually used for a number of different pets, but the fact of the matter is, it might just be most important for hamsters.  The thing is, hamsters are natural burrowers.  In the wild, they dig underground nests that they live in and therefore need to do a lot of digging (as you might imagine).  In fact, digging has played such a major role a dwarf hamster’s survival (it’s how they find a place to live after all), and for such a long time, that it has become one of those instinctive and natural habit that they just need to do.  So sure, your dwarf hamster may be living in a comfortable cage you set up for him and doesn’t really need to dig and tunnel a place of his own, but those deep urges he has to dig will always be with him.  And that’s where bedding comes into play.  By having a nice layer of bedding at the bottom of the cage, you aren’t just giving him a comfortable floor to live on, you’re helping him really enjoy himself by giving him the chance to dig to his little hearts content.

The Benefits For You (Yes You!)
You might be glad to learn that dwarf hamster bedding isn’t all about your dwarf hamster.  Bedding is important for you as well.  Mainly, bedding will help you keep the cage clean.  When your dwarf hamster does his deed, you simply need to scoop that area of bedding away and it’s as if it never happened.  I don’t think you’d be able to do the same thing with a sheet of newspaper, and don’t get me started on having no bedding at all (who wants to be constantly washing and scrubbing a hamster cage anyway).  Also, bedding makes it easy to clean the entire cage floor by simply dumping out the old bedding and pour in a fresh layer.  Finally, there are brands of bedding that will not only keep the cage cleaner, but fresher smelling.  Some bedding is really great at absorbing smells and moisture so when your dwarf hamster goes to the bathroom, the cage will remain dry and smelling fresh (for both of your sakes).

A Few Tips
When using bedding, you’ll want to fully cover the bottom of the cage.  A good rule of thumb is to make it two inches thick so your dwarf hamster will have plenty of digging space.

Replace the bedding every week with a completely fresh set of bedding (don’t reuse old bedding!).

For more tips on bedding including which kinds to avoid like the plague and the exact brand I use for my own dwarf hamsters, sign up for my free newsletter below and you will learn everything in the very first lesson!