Carefresh bedding: what the range is and how to choose
We don't publish a scored review system for individual brands, Carefresh included, so if you landed here looking for a star rating you won't find one. What we can do honestly is walk through what the Carefresh range actually is, how the bedding types differ from each other, and which one suits which small pet, based on what is genuinely in each bag.
What Carefresh bedding is made from
Carefresh is a paper-pulp bedding rather than a wood shaving or straw product, made from reclaimed paper fibre processed into a soft, absorbent material. That processing is the main selling point over traditional shavings: it is generally lower in dust and does not carry the aromatic oils found in unrefined softwood shavings that some owners choose to avoid.
The bedding is also biodegradable and, once soiled material is removed, compostable through most home compost systems, which is worth knowing if you are trying to cut down on what goes in the bin after a hutch or cage clean-out.
How the different finishes differ
The core range comes in a handful of colours, including a natural white, a blue tone and a confetti-style mix, plus a version marketed as extra-absorbent for a bigger cage or a pet that toilets heavily in one spot. The colours are cosmetic rather than functional, so pick whichever your household prefers to look at.
Depth and absorbency matter more than colour for a dry, low-odour enclosure. A thin layer looks tidy but needs changing more often; a proper base layer of several centimetres, topped up between full changes, gets more use out of each bag and keeps ammonia smell down for longer.
Choosing the right one for your pet
Guinea pigs and rabbits, who produce a lot of urine relative to their size, generally do best on a generously deep layer of one of the more absorbent finishes, changed fully at least once a week. Hamsters and other burrowing small pets appreciate a deeper layer they can tunnel into, since paper bedding holds a burrow shape reasonably well once packed down.
If your pet has previously reacted to wood shavings, with sneezing, watery eyes or more scratching than usual, a paper-based bedding like this is one of the more common switches owners make, though any bedding change is worth introducing gradually rather than swapping a whole cage over in one go.
From this brand
Everything below is in stock with us, priced with delivery worked out, and packed and posted by hand in the UK.
Adjustable Tortoise Harness and Lead
An adjustable harness and lead set sized for tortoises and turtles, for safe garden adventures.
£7.99
Four Flags Quick Ferret Muzzle — Grooming & Handling Aid
A temporary, reliable muzzle designed specifically for ferrets — useful for grooming, medicating, and routine handling.
£14.99
Hamster Exercise Ball
A clear rolling exercise ball that lets your hamster roam and stay active safely around the home, with ventilation slots and a secure lid. Supplied in a random colour.
£7.99
Rabbit No-Rinse Dry-Cleaning Foam
A no-rinse foam that gently cleans and freshens your rabbit's coat between full washes, no water needed.
£7.99
PawHut 12-Panel Small Animal Playpen for Guinea Pigs, 105cm, White
Twelve 45 x 35cm panels and multi-angle connectors that build a 105 x 105cm open pen at 45cm high, for evening floor time with guinea pigs or hedgehogs.
£35.99
Poultry Nappy Harness for Chickens, Ducks & Geese
A washable fabric nappy harness for house poultry, catching droppings to keep your home clean.
From£7.99
Hanging Cage Hammock for Small Pets
A soft sherpa-lined cage hammock that gives small pets a warm, lofted spot to curl up.
From£8.99
Selective Timothy Hay
UK-grown Timothy hay for rabbits and other small animals, for unlimited daily feeding
£9.99
Small Pet Carrier Shoulder Bag with Bubble Window
A ventilated travel carrier bag for hamsters, guinea pigs and other small pets, with a clear bubble window and breathable mesh panels. The adjustable shoulder strap makes outings and vet trips easy.
£13.99
Selective Naturals Woodland Loops
Dandelion and rosehip flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Orchard Loops
Apple-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Selective Naturals Meadow Loops
Pea-flavoured loop treats for rabbits, guinea pigs, degus and chinchillas
£3.99
Common questions
- Is Carefresh bedding safe for rabbits?
- Yes, paper-pulp bedding of this kind is a widely used choice for rabbit hutches and cages. Make sure your rabbit still has access to hay kept separately for eating, since bedding is for lying and toileting on rather than being a food source.
- How often should I change Carefresh bedding?
- A full change once a week is typical for most small pets, with spot-cleaning of wet or soiled patches in between. Larger animals, or more than one pet sharing an enclosure, may need a full change more often to keep things dry and low-odour.
- Is Carefresh better than wood shavings?
- It depends what you are optimising for. Paper bedding is generally lower-dust and free of the aromatic oils some softwood shavings contain, but shavings are usually cheaper and some owners find them more absorbent for very messy pets. Either can work well if changed regularly.
- Can I compost used Carefresh bedding?
- The unsoiled paper fibre is compostable through most home systems, but check your own compost setup's guidance on adding pet bedding, particularly once it has been used by an animal, before mixing it in with garden waste.
Related
Written by Matt Garnett, who runs Giddy Pets and is a lifelong pet owner — not a vet. This is general information, not veterinary advice, and it cannot replace an examination by the vet who knows your animal. How we write these guides.