Choosing the best bedding for tortoise is one of the most critical factors in housing a healthy tortoise. If it’s too wet your pets can develop shell rot, respiratory infections. If it’s too dry, he can become dehydrated. Any wrong choice of bedding can make your tortoise get sick.
There are some types of bedding that I assess that not really good for tortoise but some tortoise keepers still use. They are what you should avoid if you do not want your tortoise get health problems.
#1 Reptile carpets
Many tortoise keepers prefer to use reptile carpets as it easy to clean and can be able to reuse. Although reptile carpets are good to use for other reptiles, it’s not so good for tortoises. You just should to use it for your tortoise for a short time or provisional.
Generally, reptile carpets have rough surfaces that can catch your tortoise’s claws, it does not allow tortoise to burrow inside, and they have practically no ability to retain moisture. This can be very uncomfortable for tortoise.
#2 Newspaper/ paper bedding
Although newspaper and paper are very cheap, they aren’t a good bedding to use. It not good for tortoise to burrow or dig. Also, if it gets soaked with water, even in the slightest, it will get very mush and have to be changed frequently. It dries up quickly, and mold can grow on it pretty well.
You can use shredded paper in the tortoise enclosure as the shelter sport for them, but not as bedding.
#3 Hay
Hat is another bad idea of bedding to use in tortoise cage. This is because it molds easily when it gets wet and it doesn’t last for very long, that means you will have to replace it frequently. There are some tortoise keepers stated that they have been using has as bedding for tortoise but they completely find for them. However, I think it may contain potential risks that should only be used as part of a diverse diet.
#4 Rabbit Pellets
Another common bedding material used by tortoise keepers who don’t know any better. Rabbit pellets is not a good material to retain moisture within the cage. And if it breaks down, it becomes very dusty that can messy up your room and even have bad effect on tortoise’s respiratory.