Can You Use Toilet Paper for Hamster Bedding?-Is Toilet Paper Safe for Hamsters?

Hamsters are little bundles of joy that are easy to care for and great for families. Like humans, Hamsters require comfortable bedding to sleep, burrow and hide. As a hammy parent, you should ensure their bedding is comfortable.

So, can you use toilet paper for hamster bedding? You certainly can. Toilet paper, also known as tissue paper, is cheap and simple. Simply shred it by hand and spread it throughout the cage/tank. However, because hamsters have extremely sensitive noses, ensure the toilet paper is scent-free.

Ensure your toilet paper bedding is thick enough for the hamsters to burrow through. This article will explain whether toilet paper is safe for hamsters and the benefits and drawbacks of tissue paper, among other things.

Can You Use Toilet Paper for Hamster Bedding?

The most crucial aspect to consider when choosing hamster bedding is the scent. Hamsters have very sensitive noses, and strong odors may cause hamsters to have allergies and develop respiratory issues.

So can you use toilet paper for hamster bedding? Yes, you can. Toilet paper is one of the safest and cheapest bedding in your home. It is easily accessible and does not have any scent. However, there are those toilet papers with scents, so ensure you avoid using these types.

As much as toilet paper is very convenient, it also has its downsides, like it does not contain odor from urine, does not hold a burrow long enough, and can only be used for short periods. Let us look at the pros and cons of toilet paper.

Pros

Toilet paper is very cheap compared to other types of bedding material.
It is easily accessible and can be found in any household.
It does not have a scent; therefore, it can not irritate hamsters.
It is safe, i.e., if ingested by hamsters, it does not cause significant health issues.
Tissue paper is absorbent; if your hamster urinates, the tissue paper can absorb the urine.
It is easy to handle; you just need to shred the tissue paper into pieces and spread them at the bottom of the cage/tank.
It is a quick go-to if you are out of your regular bedding.

Cons

Toilet paper is very light and soft; therefore, your hamster will have difficulty digging burrows.
Tissue paper has no odor control; therefore, the cage will end up smelling due to the hamster’s urine.
It gets damp quickly, forming mold in the hamster’s tank.
Toilet paper is a temporary solution, so you must keep cleaning the hamster’s cage now and then.

Is Toilet Paper Safe for Hamsters?

Toilet paper contains no toxic materials and is easily dissolvable in water. So, is it safe to use toilet paper as bedding for a hamster? Yes, it is. Even if your hamster accidentally eats it, toilet paper quickly disintegrates when it reaches its stomach, and the hamster can easily pass it out.

However, scented tissue paper can cause a hamster to have stomach upsets and allergies. So it is best to ensure you use unscented tissue paper, commonly found in your household.

Hamsters do not intentionally eat tissue, so if you notice a hamster eating toilet paper, it is probably trying to move it to the nesting area.

How To Make Your Own Toilet Paper Bedding?

Making your toilet paper bedding is easy, fun, and quick. Here is how to use toilet paper for hamster bedding.

Get your tissue paper, shred it into small pieces and scatter the pieces all over the bottom of the cage/tank.
Do not worry about not putting it evenly; the hamster will do that.
Ensure you lay about 2-4 inches of toilet paper so there will be enough for the hamster to burrow through.
You can shred by hand or use a shredder.
Use white-colored toilet paper, so that it will be easy to see if the hamster has diarrhea or may be bleeding from an injury.

Are Toilet Rolls Safe To Use As Hamster Beddings?

Toilet rolls are cylindrical carton-like items that remain after the toilet paper is finished. They are an excellent accessory for a hamster’s cage and are made of non-toxic material.

So, can you use toilet roll for hamster bedding? Yes, you can. Toilet rolls are entirely safe for your hamster. They can use toilet rolls as beddings, and hamsters can also use them as play toys and hiding spots.

Dwarf hamsters sometimes tunnel through the toilet rolls and even sleep in them. To ensure safety, cut a line through the toilet roll to ensure that the hamster does not get stuck in the toilet roll while tunneling through it.

Toilet rolls can also be chew toys for hamsters. At times, if you find your hamster with a mouthful of toilet roll, do not panic; they cut off little pieces to use as nesting material.

Video Of How To Make Homemade Hamster Bedding

Here is a video showing how to make DIY hamster bedding using toilet paper.

Alternatives Of Using Toilet Paper For Hamster Bedding

There are some other alternatives you can use as hamster bedding. They include;

Newspaper

Newspaper is another cheap alternative but only as a temporary solution. Newspaper ink rubs off on the hamster’s fur, which can make the hamster sick; it is also not absorbent and does not retain odor.

Shredded Paper

This is a close substitute for toilet paper. You can use a shredder or scissors to cut the paper into small pieces and then spread it on the bottom of the cage. Its white color helps you notice if your hamster is suffering from diarrhea. However, it has no odor control and may require you to change it frequently.

Aspen

Aspen shavings are the best bedding for hamster bedding. They are non-toxic and do not have a scent. Therefore, aspen does not irritate hamsters’ eyes or noses.

They are cheap; you can put many of them so the hamster can burrow through. Aspen mimics the bedding used by hamsters in the wild, so the hamster feels like they are in their natural environment.

Carefresh

Carefresh is a much more premium solution. It is expensive because it is made purposely to be the ideal hamster bedding. It is non-toxic, very soft, has a gentle scent, and is dust free.

It is also highly absorbent, so you will not have to change it now and then. It has odor control due to its gentle scent hence the hamster’s urine odor cannot overpower it.

FAQs

Here are other frequently asked questions.

1. What Should You Consider When Choosing Hamster Bedding?

A good hamster bedding should be dust-free, non-toxic, absorbent, have odor control, and easily accessible.

2. What Materials Should I Not Use As Hamster Bedding?

You should not use cotton beddings, scented wood shavings like pine and cedar shavings, corn cobs, straw, scented bedding, and soil. Cotton beddings might get stuck between its teeth and paws, and in the case a hamster ingests it, cotton can cause serious health issues. Soil may contain bugs that may cause diseases to your hamsters. Corn cobs can have fungus if wet, therefore becoming toxic to hamsters.

3. Can You Make Your Hamster Bedding?

Yes, you can. To make homemade hamster bedding, you can use readily available materials like tissue paper and shredded paper.

Conclusion

So, can you use toilet paper for hamster bedding? Yes, you can. Toilet paper is cheap, easily accessible, and non-toxic. It is also easy to shred. Although it is not very absorbent, it provides a temporary solution.

Toilet paper is entirely safe for hamsters; if ingested, it does not harm the hamster. For alternatives to tissue paper, aspen and carefresh are the best hamster beddings.

All the best while caring for your hammy!