Small animal bedding
This aisle covers what goes on the floor of a hutch, cage or run — paper bedding, wood shavings and hay-based options for rabbits, guinea pigs and other small pets. What suits your animal depends on the species, how much they burrow or chew, and whether dust is a concern for a sensitive respiratory system.
Choosing a bedding type
Dust-extracted paper bedding and shavings are worth prioritising over cheaper, dustier alternatives, since small pets housed close to their bedding can be more affected by dust than a larger animal would be — this matters most for rabbits and guinea pigs, who spend most of their time at floor level.
Hay-based bedding does double duty for rabbits and guinea pigs, since both species also eat hay as part of a normal diet — a deep hay bed encourages the natural grazing and foraging behaviour the Rabbit Welfare Association and PDSA both flag as important for wellbeing, not just something to lie on.
How much, and how often
A deep enough layer that your pet can dig and burrow into is generally better than a thin scattering, particularly for rabbits and guinea pigs who naturally want to nest. Spot-clean soiled patches between full changes rather than waiting for the whole hutch to need doing at once.
Change bedding fully on a regular schedule rather than only when it looks obviously dirty — ammonia from urine builds up in bedding before it's visibly soiled, and it's this buildup, more than the mess itself, that affects a small pet's breathing over time.
In this section
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
- What's the best bedding for a rabbit hutch?
- A dust-extracted paper or shavings base topped with a generous layer of hay works well for most rabbits, since it lets them nest and forage in the same material. Avoid very dusty or scented bedding, which can irritate a rabbit's respiratory system.
- How often should I change my small pet's bedding?
- Spot-clean soiled areas every day or two, and do a full bedding change on a regular schedule — at least weekly for most setups — rather than waiting until it looks obviously dirty, since ammonia builds up in bedding before it's visibly soiled.
- Can rabbits eat their bedding?
- If it's hay-based, yes, and that's exactly the point — hay serves as both bedding and food, and rabbits benefit from being able to graze on it throughout the day. Non-hay bedding like paper or shavings isn't meant to be eaten and shouldn't make up part of the diet.
- Is dusty bedding bad for small pets?
- Yes, dust can irritate the respiratory system of small pets housed close to floor level, so it's worth choosing a dust-extracted paper or shavings product over a cheaper, dustier alternative, particularly for rabbits and guinea pigs who spend most of their time in it.
Sources
Written against guidance published by UK veterinary and welfare organisations. Always confirm specifics with your own vet.
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.