What is bedding?
Safe bedding
Safe but not recommended unless.....
Unsuitable bedding
Dangerous bedding!!!
Summary of types of bedding
What is bedding?
The difference mainly lies with the type of cage used. If you use a plastic bottom cage, then the stuff you used will most likely be called bedding since you line the cage with it. Your cavies live on this bedding. They pee & poop on it, walk on it, sniff it, etc. If you use a wire bottom cage with removable tray or plastic bottom cage with grid & removable tray, then the stuff is most likely refered to as litter since you put it in the removable tray. Your cavies don't walk or live on the litter. The litter is seperated from them by a grid & it "catches" the pee & poop that falls through the grid.
So as you can see, "litter" & "bedding" are exactly the same. The only question is whether your cavies live on it or not. If your cavies come in contact with it, its called bedding. If they don't come in contact with the stuff at all, its called litter. Pretty simple after all, eh?
Safe bedding
Safe but not recommended unless.....
Unsuitable bedding
Dangerous bedding!!!
Summary of types of bedding
Safe Bedding (Safe & recommended)
Safe Bedding (Safe but not recommended unless.....)
Unsuitable Bedding (Not recommended)
Dangerous Bedding (DANGER! Never ever use them!)
Some people may get confused over the terms "bedding" & "litter". This is especially so if you notice some brands of bedding are labelled as "bedding" while others are labelled as "litter". Of course you have those labelled as "bedding & litter". So what's the difference? To put it very simply, bedding & litter are the same. When you line the cage with it & your cavy walks, sleeps & lives on it, the stuff is called bedding. When you place the exact same stuff in a litter pan (assuming your cavy knows how to pee in a litter pan) or in a cage's removable tray, its called litter.
These beddings are non-toxic to small animals & are safe for cavies. Most of these beddings (except hay & straw) are also suitable as litter in removable trays found in wire bottom cages & plastic bottom cages with grids. I highly recommend these products.
Recycled paper bedding
Aspen shavings
Hay/Straw with newspaper below
These beddings are also non-toxic to small animals & are generally considered safe for cavies. However I do not recommend these products & the reasons are stated with each product. But most of these beddings (except hay & straw) are suitable as litter in removable trays found in wire bottom cages & plastic bottom cages with grids. This is 'cos the cavies don't come in contact with the litter.
Kiln dried wood pellets
Straw pellets
Corn Cob
Hay / Straw alone
Although not exactly considered toxic or dangerous, I find these products unsuitable for use as bedding & have given my reasons with the product. All of these products are also not suitable as litter in removable trays found in wire bottom cages & plastic bottom cages with grids.
Lixy Cozy Nest
Saw dust
Towels
Pellets (Food)
Newspaper alone
All these products are TOXIC, LETHAL & DANGEROUS to small animals!!! Using them could endanger the life of your cavy!! Strongly not recommended, not even for use as litter in removable trays found in wire bottom cages & plastic bottom cages with grids!!! Just don't touch these at all!!! Using these are like playing with a loaded gun!!!
Cat / Kitten litter
Softwood shavings
Clumping litter
Shredded paper
Recycled paper bedding
Aspen shavings
Hay or straw with newspapers or bedding below
Kiln dried wood pellets (unless used as litter)
Straw pellets (unless used as litter)
Corn Cob
Hay or straw alone
Lixit Cozy Nest
Saw dust
Towels
Pellets (Food)
Newspapers alone
Cat / kitten litter (unless made from recycled paper or kiln dried pine)
Softwood shavings e.g. cedar & pine
Clumping bedding (unless organic e.g. Swheat Scoop)
Shredded paper