Guide5 min read
Rat Bedding: The Best Bedding for Rats Compared
Updated November 2026.
The best bedding for rats is low-dust and unscented: paper-based bedding, hemp, or washable fleece liners, with soft paper or tissue for nesting. Avoid sawdust, pine and cedar shavings, scented bedding and fluffy cotton-wool nesting. Rats have sensitive airways, so dust is the thing to get right first; absorbency and smell come next.
Rat bedding compared
| Bedding | Dust | Absorbs wee | Holds smell down | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paper-based bedding (shredded or soft paper) | Very low | Good | Fair | Most cages; nesting and burrowing | Choose unscented; replace soiled patches daily |
| Recycled paper pellets | Very low | Very good | Good | Litter trays and corners rats use as a toilet | Hard underfoot over a whole floor; pair with softer bedding |
| Hemp bedding | Low (dust-extracted) | Very good | Very good | Bigger cages, odour control | Buy a dust-extracted brand made for small pets |
| Fleece liners | None | Wicks through to a layer underneath | Fair if washed often | Shelves, solid floors, a tidy look | Needs washing every few days; no digging |
| Kiln-dried aspen shavings | Low to medium | Good | Good | Owners who like wood shavings | Aspen only; check it's kiln-dried and dust-extracted |
| Pine or cedar shavings, sawdust | High | Fair | Masks rather than removes | Not recommended | Dust and aromatic oils can irritate rats' airways |
| Cotton wool, fluffy "hamster bedding" | Medium | Poor | Poor | Not recommended | Fibres can wrap round feet and tails |
PDSA suggests paper-based bedding or a regularly washed fleece liner, with nesting material such as tissue, and advises against sawdust, cedar or pine woodchips and cotton wool (PDSA rat care advice).
What should I put at the bottom of my rat cage?
A solid floor (or solid-floored levels) covered with a layer of low-dust bedding deep enough for rats to dig and nest in. Many owners use a mix: fleece on shelves and hammocks, paper or hemp bedding on the base, and a litter tray of paper pellets in the corner the rats already use as a toilet. Wire floors should be covered, because bare wire is hard on rats' feet.
Nesting material
Give rats something to carry and shred: plain unscented tissue, kitchen roll or strips of plain paper. Watching them build a nest is one of the best parts of keeping rats, and a covered hide gives that nest walls and a roof.
How often does rat bedding need to be changed?
- Every day: remove wet or soiled bedding and droppings, and empty the litter tray.
- Every few days: swap fleece liners and hammock linings for clean ones.
- Weekly (roughly): a full clean of the base and levels. Keep a handful of used but clean bedding and put it back, so the cage still smells like home.
Our rat cage cleaning guide has the full routine and the cleaners that are safe to use.
Best rat bedding for smell
Smell in a rat cage comes from ammonia in urine, so the fix is absorbing it and removing it, not covering it with scent. Hemp and paper pellets hold ammonia best. A litter tray in the toilet corner, daily spot cleans and good airflow do more than any bedding. Avoid scented bedding and air fresheners near the cage: strong scents are hard on rats' airways too.
Dust-free rat bedding and breathing
Rats are prone to breathing problems, and dusty bedding makes them worse. If a rat sneezes a lot, wheezes or has red-brown staining around the eyes or nose, switch to a dust-free bedding and see an exotics vet. Our rat respiratory health guide explains the signs to watch.
Hides, hammocks and beds: the other half of bedding
Bedding is the floor; rats also want somewhere enclosed to sleep up off it. A hide with a roof, a hammock and a few soft corners give them choices through the day. Our cloud rat hammock and hide comes with a pre-fitted fleece lining, and our rat houses and hides clip to standard wire cage bars at any height.
Planning a whole cage? Start with our rat cage setup guide and what a rat cage should have in it, or browse the rat care range.
New to Ripleys Nest? Join the list for 10% off your first order.
Frequently asked questions
What bedding is best for rats?
Low-dust, unscented bedding: paper-based bedding, hemp or washable fleece liners, with tissue or paper for nesting.
Can rats have sawdust or wood shavings?
Avoid sawdust and pine or cedar shavings, which are dusty and aromatic. If you prefer shavings, use kiln-dried, dust-extracted aspen.
Is fleece good for rats?
Yes, fleece liners are dust-free and soft. Wash them every few days and give rats paper or tissue as well, because they can't dig in fleece.
How deep should rat bedding be?
Deep enough to dig and nest in. A few centimetres of paper or hemp on the base suits most cages.
How often should I change rat bedding?
Spot clean soiled bedding daily, swap fleece every few days and do a full clean about once a week, keeping a little clean used bedding for a familiar smell.
What is the best rat bedding for smell?
Hemp and paper pellets absorb ammonia best. A litter tray and daily spot cleans make the biggest difference.
Can I use cat litter for rats?
Use paper-pellet litter. Avoid clumping clay and scented litters.
