Ground cover – choose by material, animal & function
Versele-Laga Straw is a natural supplement for rabbits and rodents. Ideal as extra comfort, a warm bedding, or nesting material in their enclosure, especially in hiding places, resting areas, and outdoor enclosures.
Read moreNatural straw pellets of approx. 20 liters / 8 kg. Suitable as litter and absorbent underlay for rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, chinchillas, degus, and ferrets.
Read moreDeep in the heart of the rodent kingdom, where the air is filled with the cheerful chirping of birds and the hissing sounds of reptiles, we meet an incredibly innovative bedding called Corbo. A paradise for all the winged and furry creatures hopping aroun
Read moreWith JR Farm Nature Feeling Bedding, your rodent or rabbit will feel like it is in a beautiful natural environment. With delicious crunchy oats and freshly dried birch leaves, marigolds, and hibiscus flowers, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The b
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Natural forest-like top layer with hardwood, hardwood bark, softwood, and pine cones. Ideal as a play layer, sniffing layer, and foraging layer.
Read moreNatural top layer of wood, mountain meadow hay, oat plant, wheat ears, and marigold. Ideal as a foraging layer, play layer, or extra structure in the enclosure.
Read moreFlowery natural top layer with deciduous wood, coniferous wood, birch leaves, marigold, and mallow. Ideal as a foraging layer, play layer, or extra structure in the enclosure.
Read moreOrganic coconut fiber humus for hamsterscaping, gerbilscaping, digging zones, and plant zones. Apply 7–8 times and is free of peat and fertilizers.
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Digging sand with clay for natural landscaping, hamsterscaping, and gerbilscaping. Stays in place better near tunnels and burrows. 5 kg is approx. 5 liters.
Read moreOrganic humus for digging zones, planting zones, and natural landscapes. Great for hamsterscaping, gerbilscaping, ratscaping, and rabbit digging boxes.
Read moreFine, soft aspen wood fiber from Chipsi for mice, dwarf hamsters, hamsters, gerbils, and rats. Virtually dust-free, highly absorbent, odor-binding, and pleasant as an underlay, top layer, or litter box filling.
Read morePlay sand mix for digging pits, providing fun and enrichment for small pets. Great for use in a digging pit or DigginBox and also suitable as a substrate for fresh plants.
Read more
Ground cover – choose by material, animal & function
Good bedding is the foundation of a fresh, comfortable habitat. Whether you're looking for bedding for rabbits , guinea pigs , or hamsters (including dwarf hamsters) , it all comes down to the same core: comfort , absorption , and a substrate that supports natural behavior (such as digging, nesting, and scratching). At DRD Rodent Shop® (specialists since 2011), you'll find a carefully selected range for all types and materials.
Are you primarily looking for absorption (toilet/pee area), comfort (soft & dry), or a surface that's suitable for digging ? Use the options below to choose by material and animal.
Quickly filter by flax bedding , hemp bedding , cotton bedding , paper/cardboard, wood, straw, sand and more.
Calculate immediately how many liters (and bags) you need for your soil size and layer thickness with the calculation tool.
Ground cover per material
Want to filter quickly? Select your materials below (or view the full main category: Bedding & Nesting Materials ).
Popular: Back 2 Nature bedding and Corbo bedding (useful for toilet/pee corners due to their good absorption).
Which bedding is right for your animal?
Animals use their substrate differently. Hamsters and gerbils often prefer a firm, diggable surface; rabbits and guinea pigs, on the other hand, benefit greatly from a dry, comfortable base and practical hygiene solutions. Go directly to your animal:
How much ground cover do you need?
Want to quickly know how many liters of ground cover you need? This calculator will help you calculate it in seconds – useful for both a base layer and a deep excavation layer.
Formula
(length × width × layer thickness in cm) ÷ 1000 = liters
✔ Preferably measure the internal dimensions of the accommodation (L × W).
✔ Choose your layer thickness in cm (depending on animal, behaviour and layout).
✔ When spreading deeply, always allow a little extra: ground cover sinks after application.
✔ Number of bags: required litres ÷ content per bag .
Example: 100 × 50 cm with 20 cm layer → (100 × 50 × 20) ÷ 1000 = 100 liters .
Tip: We use this calculator daily in our selection tool and customer service.
| Base size | 10 cm | 15 cm | 20 cm | 30 cm |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 80 × 40 cm | 32 L | 48 L | 64 L | 96 L |
| 100 × 40 cm | 40 L | 60 L | 80 L | 120 L |
| 100 × 50 cm | 50 L | 75 L | 100 L | 150 L |
Need help choosing? View all types: ground cover & nesting material .
Checklist: ground cover properly arranged
Run through this list for your soil structure:
✔ Dust-free chosen where necessary (comfort + less irritation)
✔ Sufficient absorption for wet areas / toilet zone
✔ Structure/volume suitable for digging and nesting (per animal)
✔ Smart zones created (toilet area, digging area, rest area)
✔ Calculation tool used for liters & number of bags
Maintenance & hygiene
- Daily : remove wet spots (spot clean), change the water, check food remains.
- Weekly : replace part of the substrate (not all at once, this keeps the habitat recognizable).
- Toilet area : use a highly absorbent type (useful for frequent pee areas).
- Pay extra attention to areas under houses/platforms: a damp “core” develops more quickly there.
Safety warnings
- Preferably choose a ground covering that is low in dust ; excessive dust can irritate the respiratory tract.
- Avoid strongly perfumed products; a "fresh scent" isn't necessarily more pleasant for animals.
- Check regularly for damp spots and replace wet material in time (prevent mould).
- Do you notice shortness of breath, lethargy, or a suddenly dirty coat? If in doubt, contact a veterinarian.
FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions about Ground Covering
Can I combine ground covers?
Yes, that often works very practically: an absorbent zone (toilet/pee area) and a larger digging/rutting zone. Observe how your pet uses it and adjust as needed.
What is useful for a toilet or pee corner?
Choose a type with high absorbency. Popular options include Back 2 Nature and Corbo .
What kind of substrate is good for digging?
Consider the volume and structure: the substrate should be suitable for tunnels and allow the animal to dig easily. For hamsters (dwarf hamsters), and gerbils, a deeper layer is often very helpful.
I'm specifically looking for: rabbit bedding / guinea pig bedding / hamster bedding. Where do I start?
Start with the animal pages above. There you'll find the product range and the logical choices for each use (basic, toilet, digging zone).
How much ground cover do I need?
Use the calculation tool (litres + bags) on this page at Calculation tool litres .
Why buy ground cover from DRD Rodent Shop®?
✔ Specialist since 2011
✔ Ordered before 5 PM = shipped the same day
✔ Delivered from our own stock
✔ Smartly selected range for well-being & safety

