What bedding can I use in my rats’ cage?

Choosing bedding can feel confusing because so many options are sold for small animals. The wrong bedding can cause breathing irritation, itchy skin, or a cage that smells quickly. This guide covers bedding that is usually safe for rats, what to avoid, and a simple routine that keeps things fresh.

Quick summary

• Use low dust, unscented bedding
• Paper based and cardboard beddings are usually the safest place to start
• Avoid pine, cedar, and anything scented
• Use a deeper layer in litter areas
• Change bedding before it smells strongly

Why bedding choice matters

Rats have sensitive lungs. Dust and strong smells can irritate their airways, especially in a warm indoor cage.

Good bedding should soak up pee, help control smell, and stay low dust. If it smells strongly straight from the bag, or you can see dust in the air when you pour it, it is not a good choice.

Bedding that works well for most rats

Paper based bedding
This is one of the easiest options to start with.

• Usually soft and low dust
• Absorbs moisture well
• Easy to spot clean

Cardboard bedding or paper pellets
These are often very low dust and good for smell.

• Good odour control
• Heavier, so it tends to stay put
• Can feel less soft, so some people use it mainly in litter areas

Fleece liners with an absorbent layer
These can work well if you do not mind laundry.

• Reusable and can be cheaper long term
• Less wasteful than disposable bedding
• Needs frequent washing
• Works best with an absorbent layer underneath, not just fleece on its own

A simple tip is to wash fleece liners inside a laundry bag (also called a mesh wash bag). This helps contain loose hair and debris and protects your washing machine. Many owners wash liners at the same time as hammocks to save time.

Bedding to avoid for rats

Pine and cedar shavings
These are commonly sold but not a good idea for rats, especially cedar.

Scented bedding
Anything fragranced can irritate their breathing and it often mixes badly with ammonia smells.

Clumping cat litter and dusty litters
These can be dangerous if breathed in or swallowed, and clumping products are not suitable.

Very dusty shavings
If it looks dusty, it will be dusty in the cage.

If you are unsure about a bedding, a simple test is pouring a little into a bin. If it creates a visible cloud, avoid it.

How much bedding do I need?

Enough to keep the base dry, without turning the whole cage into a mess.

A simple way to do it:

• Use a deeper layer where your rats pee most, often litter tray areas
• Use a thinner layer on shelves and platforms
• If bedding is getting damp quickly, use a bit more or change it sooner

If you can smell ammonia when you open the cage, it needs changing sooner. That smell should not be normal.

A simple cleaning routine

You do not need a complicated schedule. Consistency matters more.

Most homes do well with:

• Spot cleaning wet patches every day or two
• Moving loose poo into the litter tray during spot cleaning
• A fuller change once or twice a week depending on cage size and how many rats you have
• Wiping shelves and high traffic areas regularly

Moving poo into the litter tray during spot cleaning helps encourage rats to use one area for toileting. This can make cleaning easier over time, even if they are not fully litter trained.

If smell is building fast, it usually means the wet spots are not being removed often enough, or bedding is not absorbing well for your setup.

Nesting material

Most rats love to build nests, even if they have hammocks and hides.

Good nesting options:

• Plain, unscented paper
• Shredded cardboard
• Tissue paper in small amounts

Avoid fluffy fibres like cotton wool, because it can cause problems if swallowed and it can tangle.

A practical buying tip

If you use paper pellet bedding, buying larger bags can work out cheaper and helps avoid running out. Many rat owners buy 30 litre bags and use them mainly in litter areas where absorption matters most.

Some paper pellet beddings are sold for other animals but still work well for rats. For example, Breeder Celect is marketed for cats but is widely used by rat owners, while Back 2 Nature is sold for small animals. Both are paper based and low dust.

As with any bedding, it is always worth checking how your rats get on with it and adjusting if needed.

The best bedding is the one your rats tolerate well and that keeps the cage dry and low smell. Starting with low dust, unscented paper based or cardboard bedding is usually a safe place to begin. This helps keep your pet rats happy and healthy.