10 Best Ferret Beddings – 2025 Reviews & Top Picks

After a cage, the next big purchase you’ll need to make for your ferret is their bedding. Purchasing a ferret-safe bedding isn’t always very straightforward. Most beddings aren’t marketed specifically for ferrets, and not all “small pet beddings” are safe for ferrets. When you throw in your own needs and preferences, it can get pretty confusing.

That’s where we come in. We’ve explored the best ferret bedding on the market, as well as explained how to pick the best one for your needs.

A Quick Comparison of Our Favorites in 2025

The 10 Best Ferret Beddings

1. Kaytee Clean & Cozy Small Animal Bedding – Best Overall

We love the Kaytee Clean & Cozy Small Animal Bedding for several reasons. It is made of paper, which is completely safe for your ferret. There aren’t any harmful chemicals in it, either. Therefore, it’s completely safe for your ferret. Despite being very natural, it’s also very good at controlling odors. It absorbs up to 6 times its weight, making cleanup much easier.

Out of the bag, this bedding expands to three times its size. While it is a small package, it will cover more room than you think. Plus, each package isn’t all that expensive, so there is very little reason not to purchase this bedding.

Of course, some people don’t like to use paper. It can be a bit less odor-controlling than other options. Despite this, it is still the best overall ferret bedding available.

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2. Small Pet Pelleted Paper Small Animal Bedding – Best Value

If you’re looking to save some money, you may want to consider purchasing a Small Pet Select Pelleted Paper Small Animal Bedding. Upfront, this bedding is more expensive. However, you’re getting a lot, so you will save some money in the long run by using this bedding.

This bedding is highly absorbent, making it able to reduce odors. It is also almost completely dust-free, which is important for your ferret’s respiratory health. The hypoallergenic formula works for just about any ferret (and person).

The pellets are made to absorb as much liquid as possible. However, not all ferrets like pellets as their entire bedding, as they were designed primarily to be used in a litter box.

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3. Small Pet Select Paper Small Animal Bedding – Premium Choice

For those who want the best of the best, we highly recommend the Small Pet Select Premium Paper Small Animal Bedding. This bedding provides a very comfortable sleep surface for ferrets, as it is soft and fluffy. Therefore, it’s very smooth on your pet’s feet and should work well for even pickier ferrets.

While it may be expensive, the package is very large. Therefore, it’s also great value, especially when you take all of the extra features into account. The all-natural paper is completely safe for your ferret, as it has never been bleached or printed.

Plus, as a paper bedding, it is extremely absorbent. Trust us, when you’re cleaning out your ferret’s cage, you’ll be very thankful for this extremely absorbent bedding.

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4. Frisco Small Pet Paper Bedding

At first glance, the Frisco Small Pet Paper Bedding seems like a great option. The soft, pillowy paper is very soft on your pet’s feet and makes a wonderful sleeping space. You won’t have to worry about your ferret being uncomfortable with this bedding. It also expands up to three times its size and is extremely absorbent. This makes cleaning out your ferret’s cage much easier.

Of course, paper is completely safe for your pet, and this one is no different. However, the colored options do include dyes (they are colored, after all). There is no evidence that particular dyes are unsafe for pets, but many pet parents don’t like risking their pet’s health with unnecessary additives.

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5. Small Pet Paper & Real Natural Lavender Pet Bedding

The main difference between Small Pet Select Paper & Real Natural Lavender Pet Bedding and other options out there is that this one is scented. Some people may like the scented nature of this bedding, especially if their ferrets tend to be a bit stinky. However, the fragrance can quickly become overpowering, especially for those with sensitive noses.

Plus, your ferret will be around the fragrance for a fairly long time each day, and it can easily get overwhelming for them, too.

That said, this bedding is almost completely dust-free and is made without any added ingredients (besides the scent, of course). There aren’t any dyes or print ink included, for instance. It also controls odors for up to 14 days, which may make your cleaning time shorter.

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6. Fresh News Recycled Paper Small Animal Bedding

As the name suggests, Fresh News Recycled Paper Small Animal Bedding is recycled paper bedding. You can use it and feel better about your environmental impact, as all of the paper comes from a recycled source. The bag comes with a bunch of tiny paper scraps that are ready to use. You just have to pour them into your ferret’s cage.

The formula is completely hypoallergenic and clean. Since it is paper, it is also extremely low in dust. However, we did find that it was dustier than many of the competitors. It probably isn’t best for pets with sensitive sinuses.

It’s also very soft, like most paper bedding on this list. Plus, we love that it is biodegradable and compostable.

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7. Frisco Small Pet Paper Bedding with Lavender

The Frisco Small Pet Paper Bedding with Lavender is very similar to the other paper bedding we’ve discussed thus far. However, it includes lavender buds to add a little bit of scent. This scent isn’t overwhelming according to most users, though those with a sensitive nose may still want to stay away from it.

This paper bedding expands up to three times its size and can absorb lots of liquid. It’s almost completely dust-free, too, so you don’t have to worry about it causing respiratory problems. Because it’s made from paper, it is completely safe for you and your pet.

That said, this bedding isn’t as soft as other options out there. Many paper beddings are pretty soft, but this one isn’t. It also doesn’t provide much odor control, which may be a problem for some pet owners.

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8. Paw Inspired PopCorner Washable Fleece Cage Liners

Fleece liners can be a great option in some situations. The Paw-Inspired PopCorner Washable Fleece Cage Liners work wonders if you have a typically-shaped cage for your ferret. These liners have a waterproof backing and extra absorbent colors to prevent messes from ending up on your floor. Plus, they’re also moisture-wicking to help keep your ferret clean, too.

Of course, these liners are completely dust-free. They’re a healthy way to take care of your ferret, especially if they are more sensitive to dust. To clean the liners, you can easily wash them in your washing machine or just spot-clean them. It’s a pretty straightforward process.

However, you do have to consider whether this liner will even fit in your cage. Because they’re cut to pre-made sizes, it can be challenging to find a liner that fits exactly.

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9. Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra-Premium Paper Bedding

The Rabbit Hole Hay Ultra-Premium Paper Bedding is very similar to other paper beddings on this list. It is a soft, nestable bedding that is perfect for ferrets that like to roll around on their bedding. It’s able to hold over six times its own weight, making it a great option for messy pets, too.

This material is 99.9% dust-free. It helps reduce sneezing and irritation in pets and people. Therefore, it is a great option for those with sensitive sinuses. We also love that this formula is just paper. There isn’t anything else in it at all. It’s made in the USA and is completely environmentally friendly, too.

That said, this formula doesn’t control odors well. It is just paper, after all. We don’t recommend it for anyone who needs some serious odor-fighting capabilities.

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10. Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding

For the most part, Oxbow Pure Comfort Small Animal Bedding is a great option that’s similar to the other paper bedding options on this list. It’s made with 100% pure paper that has never been used, so you don’t have to worry about any leftover ink or anything of that sort. It can absorb a lot of liquid, which can make cleanup much easier. It’s safe for the environment and low dust, so it is safe for your pet, too.

The convenient packaging also allows you to save some space. The paper inside is stuffed in, and then it expands once you remove it. That said, there are some reported problems with other things ending up inside the bedding, like plastic-like material and latex. The quality control isn’t the best, which is why it ended up at the bottom of the list.

It also doesn’t have any odor-control capabilities—it can be very stinky unless you clean it extremely often.

Buyer’s Guide: Choosing the Best Bedding For Your Ferret

Purchasing bedding for ferrets can seem a bit complicated, especially if you’ve never done it before. However, there are only a few features that are really important.

Material

There are many materials that work well for ferrets.

Softness

The bedding should be soft to prevent irritation. Ferrets can have sensitive skin, and they’re going to be interacting with this bedding all day. Therefore, it’s very important that it isn’t rough and abrasive, or you may end up with discomfort and irritation. Soft bedding can also help your ferret feel more comfortable and at home.

Often, ferrets will look for hiding places where they can burrow and sleep. Having bedding that is soft enough for them to burrow into is a real plus.

Safety

Any bedding you choose should be completely safe for your ferret. You should ensure that your ferret won’t be harmed by whatever bedding you choose. Don’t assume something is safe just because it is on the store shelves.

Make sure the bedding doesn’t include any toxic materials. It’s often recommended that you avoid chemicals, dyes, and additives that may make your ferret sick. You should also avoid loose strings and threads, as these can pose a serious risk if ingested. Ferrets are prone to eating what they aren’t supposed to, so make sure the bedding won’t harm them if they eat it in small amounts.

Avoid any potential allergens, too. These can trigger an allergic reaction in ferrets. Certain types of wood shavings and synthetic fabrics fall into this category and should be avoided.

Absorbency

Even if your ferret is litter box trained, there is a possibility that they will have accidents. Therefore, it is important for the bedding to be absorbent. Otherwise, it won’t help you much with cleaning, which is half the point of having this bedding to begin with.

Moisture control is important, as you don’t want your ferret to get dirty from the bedding. You can’t follow right behind your ferret, cleaning up behind them. Therefore, it’s important that the bedding will absorb accidents and keep them absorbed.

Paper bedding is extremely absorbent, which is one reason we recommend it so much. Just like a paper towel, it tends to suck up moisture.

Dust-Free

You should also select bedding that is dust-free (or at least as dust-free as these beddings can get). Dust can harm your ferret’s respiratory system, causing all sorts of health problems. Therefore, it’s important to minimize dust exposure to prevent potential health conditions.

Furthermore, dust can also trigger allergies for ferrets and people. Those that are more sensitive should be particularly careful about dust in their bedding. Avoid cedar and pine, which are potentially toxic. These release dust and oils that can be very harmful to a ferret’s respiratory system.

Odor Control

Ferrets are often mistakenly known as “smelly.” These animals do have a distinctive smell, but it can’t be considered bad. The scent from their waste can absolutely be considered bad, though. Therefore, it’s vital that you choose a bedding that can effectively control the odors present in your ferret’s cage, especially if your ferret isn’t litterbox trained.

Bedding with odor control helps you be a bit more comfortable around your ferret’s cage, as well as helping your ferret be a bit more comfortable. No ferret wants to hang around in a stinky cage, so it is important that it’s kept odor-free or close to it.

Easy to Clean

You’ll need to clean your ferret’s bedding regularly, so it’s important that it’s easy to clean and change. Ferrets can be messy, and their bedding can quickly become soiled. Most people don’t want to deal with a big hassle every time their ferret’s cage needs to be cleaned (which is pretty often).

Bedding that can be cleaned and replaced without much of a problem helps ensure that you have the time and energy to keep your ferret’s cage clean.

Dirty bedding can cause a range of health problems for your ferrets, including skin irritations and respiratory problems. Easy-to-clean bedding helps prevent these problems.

Non-Irritating

It’s also important that you select bedding that is non-irritating, as this is essential for your ferret’s skin health. Ferrets often have sensitive skin, and bedding made from appropriate materials should prevent any itchiness and irritation. As we’ve discussed, choosing an allergen-free bedding is important, but even bedding that doesn’t contain allergies can be irritating.

For instance, most paper bedding is pretty soft and doesn’t include allergens. However, paper bedding that is too thick can have sharp corners, causing irritation. It’s important that all sides of the bedding are soft, especially since ferrets burrow often.

In Conclusion

Hopefully, this guide has helped you choose the best bedding for your ferret. Sometimes, the best option is to try out a few beddings until you find one that works well for your ferret. That’s one reason we included so many different options. What one ferret finds comfortable, another may find irritating.

For most ferrets, we recommend Kaytee Clean & Cozy Small Animal Bedding. It’s made from safe, allergen-free paper that works well for most ferrets out there. Plus, it’s also widely available and inexpensive.

If you’re looking to buy in bulk, the Small Pet Select Pelleted Paper Small Animal Bedding may be a good option. This pelleted bedding is very absorbent and comes in a very large pack, allowing you to save some money in the long term.

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Featured Image Credit: Best dog photo, Shutterstock