There are many, many types of bedding, or substrate, out there. This page will help show you which ones are best!
To make it simple, I've made a list of "good substrates" and "bad substrates".
Good Substrates
- Aspen
- Corn Cob
- Carefresh
- Kiln dried pine
Bad Substrates
- Pine
- Cedar
- Softwood wood shavings
Pine and cedar (unless kiln dried) are bad for gerbils and can cause health issues, as can softwood bedding. Do not use these.
I have never used corn cob bedding, as from what I understand it is not good for burrowing. It is good if you are breeding gerbils.
Carefresh is a paper bedding. There are many paper substrates out there, and many of them are fine. Personally I do not like using paper bedding, but that is up to you.
Aspen is my favorite. It doesn't smell, absorbs well, and is good for burrowing. I use it for all my gerbils.
Kiln dried pine is also fine, I just have never tried it.
On top of substrate, you will also want to give your gerbils nesting materials.
You can buy fluffy, soft nesting material at pet stores, but I wouldn't suggest this. A gerbil's legs or claws can get caught in it.
Instead, its cheapest and best to use unscented tissues. I also throw in some shredded paper. (No paper with ink on it!)
Hay is another important part of bedding.
Gerbils love hay. They will chew it and use it to tunnel and make nests. There are several types of hay and most are fine. I use Timothy hay.
Gerbils should be given at least six inches of bedding.
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