Ground cover – choose by material, animal & function
With the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful wooded environment. With crispy poplar bark and crunchy pine cones, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The ground cover is 100% natural and therefore also edible.
Read moreWith the JR Farm Litter Forest Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful farm environment. With deliciously crispy hay and fresh ears of corn, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore edible for the
Read moreWith the JR Farm Litter Summer Feeling, your rodent will imagine itself in a beautiful summer environment. With flower meadows and aromatic flowers as well as lush foliage, there is plenty to discover and gnaw on. The bedding is 100% natural and therefore
Read moreCoconut Fiber Humus is a blend of coconut fiber and humus. This natural ground cover is suitable for small rodents and promotes their natural digging behavior. The ground cover can expand up to 7 to 8 times its original size, has a pH between 5.0 and 6.0,
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
More and more rodent habitats are getting a completely natural look. Trixie Cave sand is ideal for a natural rodent habitat. The sand is ideally suited for burrowing reptiles and other terrarium inhabitants. The sand has a high quality...
Read morePeat is specially prepared for small rodents. Peat for rodents is very natural and ideal as bedding or for a diggable environment such as a digging pit or natural landscaping (bioactive). All burrowing rodents, such as hamsters, mice, rats, etc., have a n
Read moreEco-friendly paper bedding for small rodents! Dust-free and super-absorbent bedding made from 100% recycled paper fibers. Environmentally friendly, lightweight, and suitable for all small rodents!
Read moreSpecial organic peat/sand mixture for rodents. The humus satisfies the animals' natural digging needs. No added fertilizers. Perfect for a natural German-style habitat or for hamster scavenging.
Read more- Voor 17 uur besteld, dezelfde dag verzonden!
- Specialist sinds 2011
- Delivery from our own stock
Organic bedding made from cottonseed fiber. Absorbs moisture and odors effectively, keeping the enclosure clean and dry for longer. Dust-free, making it ideal for rats, mice, and ferrets (also suitable for guinea pigs and rabbits).
Read moreThe DiggingFun Sand-Mix from bunnyNature offers your pets the greatest digging fun - recommended by rabbits and of course also bunny tested!
Read moreSoft, comfortable bedding that's pleasant to nest in and works well in hamster scaping. Ideal as a comfort layer or nesting zone in the enclosure. Dust-free and great for small rodents.
Read moreSoft cotton substrate for hamster scaping: ideal as a comfort layer or nesting zone. Use in zones (rest corner/nesting chamber) and combine with a diggable base. Dimensions/capacity: see specifications.
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

