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Updated October 2021
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BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We only make money if you purchase a product through our links, and all opinions about the products are our own. Read more  
BestReviews spends thousands of hours researching, analyzing, and testing products to recommend the best picks for most consumers. We buy all products with our own funds, and we never accept free products from manufacturers.Read more 
Bottom line
Pros
Cons
Best of the Best
Carefresh Complete Pet Bedding
Carefresh
Complete Pet Bedding
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Bottom Line

A soft, reclaimed pulp bedding that is safe for a variety of pets.

Pros

This paper-based bedding uses recycled paper materials to ensure that your pet's home is cozy and safe. Far more absorbent than shavings and splinter-free to protect animals. This bedding does a decent job of suppressing odors.

Cons

A few customers reported wood chips mixed into the bedding.

Best Bang for the Buck
Kaytee Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding
Kaytee
Clean & Cozy White Small Animal Bedding
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Bottom Line

An affordable bedding option with minimal dust.

Pros

This bedding expands up to 3-times its size for soft and fluffy bedding that works well for smaller pets. For the volume of bedding you get, this is one of the best values available.

Cons

Quality is inconsistent, ranging from fluffy white bedding to shredded paper-like strips.

Small Pet Select Premium Soft Paper Bedding
Small Pet Select
Premium Soft Paper Bedding
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Bottom Line

This paper bedding is a great value for the volume you get.

Pros

Though it doesn't block odors, this is a soft and absorbent paper bedding that comes in a generous volume. Customers love that they don't need to change bedding every single week. A good alternative to more expensive brands.

Cons

The bedding does not expand to the volume promised.

Vitakraft Fresh World Bedding
Vitakraft
Fresh World Bedding
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Bottom Line

Made from 100% recycled paper for a soft bedding that pets will love.

Pros

This is a straightforward, fluffy bedding that is chemical-free and unbleached to keep your pets safe. Light in weight and moderately absorbent. For the price, a large volume of bedding is included.

Cons

Not entirely dust-free, though it is less dusty than most of the competition.

Pet's Pick Cedar Bedding
Pet's Pick
Cedar Bedding
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Bottom Line

The best option for dogs and horses.

Pros

This cedar bedding expands significantly and has a classic cedar scent that masks odors well. The cedar does a good job of deterring ticks, fleas, and flies while offering comfortable bedding for your animals.

Cons

As far as cedar chips go, this is on the more expensive end.

HOW WE TESTED

We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.

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Models
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60
Consumers
Consulted
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Hours
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Finding the right bedding for your pet is crucial not only to their comfort, but also to keep their home clean, dry, and odor-free. Different sizes and types of animals will need different types of bedding. For horses or dogs, wood chips (often aspen or cedar) are the best choice. Wood chips can give smaller animals splinters, however, so paper-based products tend to work best. To reduce frequent changing, bedding should be fairly absorbent and should mask odors well. Carefully check the ingredients in bedding to ensure that the product you select is safe for your pet. Always look for bedding with minimal dust to keep your pet safe and happy.

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