bedding for rats

[BoAddict]

ok i know pine is bad and also bad for the snakes
what is the expensive bedding that isnt harmful to rats or the snakes?

im just having a brain cramp and want to switch as my rats have what appear to be skin issues and i think it is the shavings as i feed mazurri only

mike

[Auskan]

Carefresh? That's pretty expensive but is a decent substrate. Though what I use is the Wal-mart equivalent which is about 1/3 the price. I can't remember what its called but it looks just the same, I've heard its less dusty, (haven't used both so I can't compare) and it works great at keeping odor down.

If you're thinking of "woods", could it be Aspen?

[Linds]

Carefresh is expensive, but is the best 100% safe bedding that controls odour. Aspen is safe, but is double the price of pine. Check places like the local co-op, not the pet stores. Shredded paper is the cheapest by far, but it sucks for controlling odour, and I find a lot of feces get stuck to the bottom of the cage using it. I saw a the co-op by me now sells hemp bedding (I think it was $8 for 3.5' cubic compressed bag). I was contemplating picking up a bag and giving it a try, if it worked well I would consider mixing it with the pine shavings I currently use.

[Jayson]

I started using a layer of pine on the bottom and then filling the bins with shredded newspaper. Works great, the pine absorbes the urine and smell and the newspaper makes great nesting material.

[CHRISANDBOIDS14]

I get my aspen shavings for $4.99 Canadian at UFA. They are like a Co-op but more for farmers and not an "in town" kind of place.

[sapphire_moon]

I just use pine with news paper for nesting material. They may sneeze a bit more. But I don't really see how it will transfer to your snake.

Edit:

Also, any 100% paper cat litter works to. But it is bound to be expensive.

[mykee]

I pick up my aspen at Ren's; $11 for a 3 cubic foot bag. Comparable in price to a 2.5 cubic foot bag of pine at one of the big name pet stores.

[sapphire_moon]

I get my pine in 5cubic ft bags (compressed to 2.5 cubic) for 5 dollars (usd). But we are getting a confeti (sp?) shreder this friday to see how that works.......

if I were to pick up a bag of aspen that big here it would cost close to 20$ (US)

another "safe" thing is the shredded cardboard...........

Here is a link that gives you alot of "Safe" alternatives to pine and cedar.

WARNING: It is a "Pet Rat" site. If you are breeding rats for food for snakes take the adice of the good people here at ssnakess.com, not the advice of this site!

http://www.fancy-rats.co.uk/information/habitat/index.php?chapter=litter

(it's also a UK site)

[Linds]

Originally posted by Jayson
I started using a layer of pine on the bottom and then filling the bins with shredded newspaper. Works great, the pine absorbes the urine and smell and the newspaper makes great nesting material.

Do you find the combination works as good as the pine alone? I think I might give that a try...

[Lisa]

I'd like to try that with aspen.

[sapphire_moon]

I think it does work better. because they tend to spread the paper out on top of the pine, the urine gets soaked up by the paper, the pine draws it further to the bottom of the bin, and then the fecals get pushed to the bottom....Works good for me anyways. lol

I only have to change them about 1 time every 2 weeks, and I change them more often when I think the female is getting close to giving birth.

[Jayson]

Linds I found it works very well, But it is a little more work.
The pine soaks up all the moisture and keeps the smell down while the paper makes for good nesting. The females tend to be more calm when you are around the bins if the babies are well covered