Finding the perfect bedding for your pet rat is crucial for their comfort, health, and overall happiness. The best bedding options not only absorb moisture but also control odors and provide a safe, dust-free environment for your furry friend. Brands such as Carefresh, Kaytee, Oxbow Pure Comfort, and Vitakraft have consistently been recommended due to their quality materials and commitment to pet safety. To discover the unique features and benefits of each brand, continue reading the list below.
Illustration of bedding for rats
Best brands of bedding for rats in 2025
Carefresh
Carefresh is often considered for bedding due to its widespread availability, but it has significant drawbacks, particularly in controlling ammonia levels. Studies have shown that Carefresh Ultra bedding results in significantly higher ammonia concentrations, often exceeding safe levels, with values as high as 65.4 to 390.2 ppm in static cages. This makes it less ideal for maintaining a healthy environment for rats. Additionally, Carefresh bedding may include unsafe ingredients like dyes, perfumes, or baking soda, which can be harmful to the animals. Despite its popularity, it is crucial to consider these factors when choosing bedding for rats.
Kaytee Clean & Cozy
Kaytee Clean & Cozy is a highly regarded brand for small animal bedding, particularly for rats, due to its superior absorbency, odor control, and pet-safe features. This bedding absorbs up to 6 times its weight in liquid, ensuring a fresh and dry habitat, and is 99.9% dust-free for a cleaner cage. Made from premium paper, it is free of harmful chemicals or by-products, making it gentle on noses and soft on paws. With over 150 years of experience, Kaytee has established itself as a trusted name in small animal care. The Clean & Cozy bedding is ideal for various small animals, including rats, hamsters, guinea pigs, and more.
Oxbow
Oxbow is highly regarded as one of the best producers of bedding for rats, particularly with their Eco-Straw and Pure Comfort products. Eco-Straw stands out for its exceptional absorbency and odor control, lasting up to 13 days without significant breakdown in cages housing multiple rats. It is recommended to add a layer of Oxbow Timothy hay or Orchard Grass for additional comfort and enrichment. Oxbow's products are favored for their safety and effectiveness, making them a top choice among experienced rat owners and breeders. The brand's commitment to quality ensures a healthy environment for the animals.
Vitakraft Fresh World
Vitakraft Fresh World is a top choice for bedding for rats, offering virtually dust-free and highly absorbent products made from 100% recycled paper. This bedding can absorb three times its weight in moisture and provides up to 14 days of superior odor control without using baking soda. It is 99.5% dust-free, reducing the risk of respiratory problems, and is biodegradable and compostable. Ideal for a variety of small pets, including rats, it ensures a clean, safe, and environmentally friendly environment. With its soft and cozy texture, it is perfect for burrowing and nesting pets.
Small Pet Select
Small Pet Select is renowned for producing top-of-the-line bedding for rats, ensuring the utmost comfort and safety for these small animals. Their bedding options, including paper, aspen, and mixed bedding packs, are 100% free from irritants, additives, and dyes, and are highly absorbent, sludge-free, and low in dust. The paper bedding, made from 100% virgin fiber, is 99% dust-free and never uses recycled print, making it an ideal choice. With a 100% satisfaction guarantee, Small Pet Select prioritizes animal health and offers an auto-ship option that saves customers an extra 5% on each order. This commitment to quality and customer satisfaction has earned them a 4.9 rating. Discover more about their bedding for rats and explore their premium offerings.
Living World
Living World is renowned for producing high-quality bedding for rats, ensuring the animals' comfort and health. Their bedding materials, such as long strips of soft paper and large, fibrous particles, are preferred by rats for nesting and manipulability. The depth of the bedding, recommended to be at least 2 cm, is a key factor in maintaining a clean and healthy environment for the rats. Living World's products align with animal welfare guidelines, providing sufficient space and appropriate materials to meet the physiological and psychological needs of rats. This attention to detail makes Living World one of the best producers for rat bedding.
Soft & Cozy
Kaytee's Clean & Cozy White Bedding is a top choice for rat owners, made from premium paper that is 99.9% dust-free, fragrance-free, and pet-safe. It absorbs up to 6 times its weight in liquid, ensuring a fresh and dry habitat. This bedding is gentle on noses and soft on paws, crafted with the well-being of small animals in mind. Trusted by experts for over 150 years, Kaytee's products are carefully crafted in the USA. This bedding is ideal for maintaining a healthy and comfortable environment for rats. Learn more about their Clean & Cozy White Bedding.
Aspen Bedding
Kaytee Aspen Bedding is highly regarded as one of the best producers of bedding for rats due to its natural, non-toxic, and absorbent properties. Made from aspen shavings, this bedding is 99.9% dust-free, reducing respiratory issues in small animals. It is also highly absorbent, capable of absorbing up to 3 times its weight in moisture. Available in various sizes, including a 113-liter (4 cubic ft.) package, Kaytee Aspen Bedding is a popular choice among pet owners for its effectiveness and safety. With its high quality and performance, it has become a staple in many small animal care routines.
Critter Care
Critter Care is highly regarded as one of the best producers of bedding for rats, offering a sustainable and highly absorbent product made from reclaimed natural wood and paper fiber. This bedding is 99% dust free, absorbs 2x more than shavings, and features long-lasting odor control, making it an ideal choice for maintaining the health and comfort of small animals. It is specifically developed for animals like rats, guinea pigs, and hamsters, and is compostable, aligning with the growing demand for eco-friendly pet products. The product is tested by third-party labs to ensure safety without the use of live animals. With its ultra-soft texture and effective absorbency, Critter Care bedding is a popular alternative to other bedding options.
Brown's Naturally Fresh
Brown's Naturally Fresh is a highly regarded brand for small animal bedding, particularly for rats, due to its superior quality and safety features. This bedding is made from 100% natural materials, ensuring it is free from additives, dyes, and irritants, which is crucial for the health and comfort of the animals. It is also 99% dust-free, reducing the risk of respiratory problems. The high absorbency of the bedding minimizes odor, making it a convenient choice for pet owners. Additionally, the bedding is fully compostable, aligning with eco-friendly practices. For more in-depth insights and reviews on this product, you can visit their product page on Chewy.
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