The most frequently used and probably best type of bedding for a bird cage is newspaper or another paper product. Newspaper tends to be cheap and easy to obtain. You may use unprinted or printed newspaper. Do not use the glossy ads because they contain inks that may be unsafe for your bird. Newspaper is easy to clean up and dispose of, and using newspaper allows you to closely monitor your bird’s daily routine. You may use paper towels, but they tend to be more expensive than newspaper.
Avoid bedding types such as kitty litter, corncobs, ground nut shells, and pine and cedar shavings. These materials can cause major problems for your bird if ingested. In addition, they may be dusty or scented, causing respiratory distress. These types of bedding also may be harder to clean up if your bird is messy.