Best Bedding & Substrate for Small Animals of 2026

Chloe Foster Avatar
Chloe Foster
Last Updated: 8 Feb 2026

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Small animals such as rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, and rats require comfortable and safe bedding to thrive. Bedding & Substrate for Small Animals is an essential product for pet owners who want to provide a healthy and hygienic living environment for their pets. This product is designed to provide a soft and absorbent surface for small animals to rest and play on. It also helps to control odours and maintain a clean living space. With a range of options available, pet owners can choose the best bedding and substrate to suit their pet's needs and preferences.

At a Glance: Our Top Picks

Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding, 30 L Cover #TOP 1
Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding, 30 L
ftb score rating icon 9.8
Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Bathing Sand for Small Pets Cover #TOP 2
Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Bathing Sand for Small Pets
ftb score rating icon 9.7
Pillow Wad Large Biodegradable Straw Bedding Cover #TOP 3
Pillow Wad Large Biodegradable Straw Bedding
ftb score rating icon 9.5

Top 6 Bedding & Substrate for Small Animals

#TOP 1

Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding, 30 L

10B2N30
Clear
30 l (Pack of One)
Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding, 30 L Cover
Back-2-Nature Small Animal Bedding and Litter, 30 L (Packaging may vary)

Back-2-Nature Bedding is an excellent choice for small animal owners. It offers natural odour control, helping to keep your pet's living space fresh and pleasant. The bedding is highly absorbent, which means it effectively soaks up moisture and reduces mess. Made from 99% recycled paper, this product is not only eco-friendly but also soft on your pet's delicate feet. Furthermore, it contains no nasty chemicals or additives, ensuring a safe environment for your furry friend.

What We Like
Natural odour control
Highly absorbent
Eco-friendly materials
Soft and safe for pets
#TOP 2

Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Bathing Sand for Small Pets

7412
Yellow
Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Bathing Sand for Small Pets Cover
Supreme Petfoods Science Selective Bathing Sand Yellow

The Supreme Petfoods Bathing Sand is designed for small pets like chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils, and degus. Its optimum particle size ensures a premium coat condition, helping your pet look and feel their best. This bathing sand is particularly beneficial for pets with sensitive skin, providing a gentle touch that is super soft on their skin and paws. Additionally, it is naturally hygienic and absorbent, making it easy for you to maintain a clean and comfortable environment for your furry friends.

What We Like
Premium coat condition
Gentle on sensitive skin
Hygienic and absorbent
Easily resealable pack
Encourages natural behaviour
#TOP 3

Pillow Wad Large Biodegradable Straw Bedding

PWS01
Gold
Large
Pillow Wad Large Biodegradable Straw Bedding Cover
Pillow Wad Straw, Large

Pillow Wad Straw is an excellent bedding option for small animals. It is dust extracted, ensuring a cleaner environment for your pets and reducing respiratory issues. The un-chopped feature means that it retains its natural structure, providing comfort and a familiar habitat for your furry friends. Additionally, being biodegradable makes it an eco-friendly choice, allowing you to care for your pets while being kind to the planet. This makes it a practical and responsible bedding solution for any small animal owner.

What We Like
Dust extracted for cleaner air
Comfort with un-chopped structure
Biodegradable and eco-friendly
#TOP 4

Snowflake Natural Pet Bedding for Small Animals

SNW-BED
Natural
Large
Snowflake Natural Pet Bedding for Small Animals Cover
Dihl Snowflake Small Animal Wood Shavings Natural Pet Bedding 3KG, Dust Extracted Premium Pet Bed Substrate, Odour Control, For Rabbit, Hamster, Gerbil, Guinea Pig, Mouse, FSC Approved, Large

Snowflake Pet Bedding is crafted from premium, natural wood, ensuring a soft and absorbent surface for your small pets. The dust extraction process reduces fine particles, promoting a healthier environment and preventing respiratory issues. With its effective odour control, this bedding helps neutralise unpleasant smells, keeping your pet's habitat fresh for longer. Additionally, being FSC certified, you can feel good about supporting sustainable forestry while providing a safe space for your pets.

What We Like
High-quality natural materials
Dust extracted for health
Effective odour control
FSC certified for sustainability
Large 3.6KG package
#TOP 5

Warma 140L Premium Chicken Wood Chips

DU-DI1N-2C04
beige
2 x 70Ltr Bags
Warma 140L Premium Chicken Wood Chips Cover
Warma Premium Chicken Wood Chips Hardwood Chippings - Poultry Bedding Coops Hens Run Animal Pens Garden Boarders Path Walkways Ground Covering Kids Outdoor Childrens Play Areas - 2 x 70Ltr Bags

The Warma Chicken Wood Chips are an excellent choice for bedding and ground covering in your chicken run. Made from sterilised virgin hardwood, they provide a clean and environmentally friendly option that is highly absorbent. The kiln-drying process ensures that the wood remains dry, offering superior moisture absorption compared to other mulches. With robust pieces measuring approximately 4-39mm, these chips withstand wear and tear, making them ideal for long-lasting use in your poultry coop.

What We Like
Highly absorbent bedding
Durable and robust material
Environmentally friendly option
Keeps chicken run clean
Sterilised for safety
#TOP 6

Croci Wood Litter - Natural Rodent Bedding

R4AS0000
mehrfarbig
1 kg (Pack of 1)
Croci Wood Litter - Natural Rodent Bedding Cover
Croci Wood Litter - Vegetable litter for rodents based on fir shavings, 15 lt - 1Kg format, natural and compostable without chemical products, super absorbent, anti-odour

Croci Wood Litter is an excellent choice for your small animals. Made from fir shavings, it offers natural and compostable bedding that is free from chemical products. This super absorbent litter helps to keep your pet's living area dry and comfortable. Additionally, its anti-odour properties ensure that unpleasant smells are minimised, providing a fresher environment for both you and your pet. With Croci Wood Litter, you can create a safe and pleasant habitat for your furry friends.

What We Like
Natural and compostable
Super absorbent
Reduces unpleasant odours
Safe for small animals
Easy to use
Buying Guide Image

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is a substrate for animals?

'Substrate' is the technical name for what you use the line the bottom of your pet's cage or enclosure. Substrate soaks everything up when your pet goes to the toilet, as well as any spilt food and water. This helps keep their cage dry and comfortable.

2. What is small animal bedding made of?

Paper-based Bedding Paper-based small animal bedding is made from recycled paper or cardboard boxes. Paper-based bedding contains no oils and little dust. Therefore, it shouldn't cause any allergic reactions in your pet or you. And, your small pet won't experience any adverse effects if they eat it.

3. What bedding do you use for hamsters?

Litter made from paper products, wood, vegetables or grain is absorbent and generally considered the safest type of bedding for your hamster. Shredded paper (such as paper towels and plain paper) is okay if you're in a pinch.

Editor's Notes

During our bedding & substrate for small animals research, we found 306 bedding & substrate for small animals products and shortlisted 6 quality products. We collected and analyzed 115,867 customer reviews through our big data system to write the bedding & substrate for small animals list. We found that most customers choose bedding & substrate for small animals with an average price of £20.00.

The bedding & substrate for small animals are available for purchase. We have researched hundreds of brands and picked the top brands of bedding & substrate for small animals, including Back-2-Nature, Supreme Petfoods, Pillow Wad, Dihl, Warma.

Written by
Chloe Foster Avatar

Happy Pet Happy Owner by Chloe Foster sold over 100 thousand copies in the UK. Chloe worked as a veterinarian in The Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Woodham. She stayed for seven years before coming home to set up her pet store in Swansea. Chloe is an experienced veterinarian with a flair for literature. Chloe is vast in the knowledge of animals, animal nutrition, medication, and care.