How deep should bedding be for burrowing species?
Written by
John Williams
Reviewed by
Prof. David Walsh, Ph.D.Bedding depth is also important for tunneling species, such as hamsters. A proper depth is crucial to provide hamsters with suitable bedding, allowing them to engage in their favorite activities and satisfy their natural instincts. At a depth less than that, hamsters may resort to behaviors like chewing the bars of their cages and making escape attempts. Generally, a minimum of 15 cm (6 inches) of bedding should be present throughout, but ensure that certain areas are extra deep to encourage exploratory behavior, such as burrowing for treats.
Depth Implementation
- Measure from cage floor to bedding surface
- Add extra 5cm weekly due to compaction
- Create depth gradients with deeper corners
- Use cardboard barriers to maintain depth
Material Properties
- Paper bedding holds tunnel shapes best
- Avoid dusty materials that collapse tunnels
- Mix materials for varied textures
- Test compression resistance before use
Enrichment Strategies
- Create designated 25cm+ digging zones
- Bury tunnels and chambers for discovery
- Add hay layers for structural support
- Rotate buried objects weekly
Paper-based bedding offers superior tunnel support compared to other materials. While it is detailed enough to hold bins in place, it also allows air passage through. Avoid fluff bedding that will allow a paw to dig into it. Make a fist as if you're forming a tunnel and lean on it - if it collapses, it's not a good bedding.
Configure specific deep zones of 25 cm or more within the habitat. These enrichment areas help satisfy your pet's instinct to dig; fill them with soil and bury cardboard tubes or chambers for your pet to discover. Switch out buried items every week.
Check the bedding depth weekly, as the material compacts, and top off with an additional 2-3cm of fresh bedding material as required to maintain the minimum depth. It's worth observing your pet's digging patterns to see where they prefer to dig, as they may benefit from a bit of added depth in certain areas. Happy burrowers will create a lovely maze of tunnels with multiple chambers!
Signs of adequate depth: A visible tunnel entrance (such as an arena, on the upper right) and a bedding pile dug out by a contented animal. Content animals spend hours scrabbling about and redoing their burrow. Inadequate depth leads to pacing at the surface and bar chewing. Add bedding at once in these instances.
Read the full article: Ultimate Guide to Small Animal Bedding
