Hamster Habitats: Bedding and Nesting 

| October 3, 2025

A hamster’s habitat is more than just a cage — it’s their entire world. Bedding and nesting materials play a huge role in their comfort, health, and happiness. Here’s how to create the coziest space for your tiny companion. 

Choosing the Right Bedding

Hamsters love to burrow, so their bedding should be soft, absorbent, and safe. 

Best options: Paper-based bedding, aspen shavings, or hemp bedding. 

Avoid: Pine or cedar shavings, which contain oils that can harm hamsters’ respiratory systems. 

Provide at least 10 inches of bedding so your hamster can dig tunnels and make cozy hideouts. 

Nesting Material for Snuggling

In addition to bedding, offer nesting material for your hamster to carry and arrange. Shredded plain tissue or paper towels work well. Skip cotton wool or fluffy bedding, which can tangle around tiny limbs or be swallowed. 

Creating Layers and Variety

Mixing different textures — like a base of paper bedding with a pile of shredded paper on top — encourages natural behaviours. Your hamster will enjoy rearranging their space to their liking. 

Keep It Clean

Spot-clean the habitat daily by removing soiled bedding, and refresh the entire setup weekly. This keeps odours under control and ensures your hamster always has a clean place to dig and sleep. 

Add Hideouts, Tunnels and a Hamster Wheel

A cozy nest box, cardboard tubes, and small huts make the habitat more interesting and provide safe spots for your hamster to rest. Hamster wheels, when they are the correct size, can greatly improve a hamster’s physical and psychological health.