WOOD PRODUCTS

PROS: widely available; more absorbent than straw CONS: can be dusty; certain types of wood can cause allergic reactions; price can vary depending on local economic conditions

Wood-based beddings tend to perform well. “Wood products have a fair waterholding capacity, maybe a little better than straw, but this depends on how finely it is processed,” says Nielsen. “Sawdust will absorb more than shavings because it has more surface area than shavings.”

While more absorbent, sawdust is dustier than shavings, which can lead to or exacerbate