what do you all use 4 bedding

[seann]

What do you all use for bedding i'm looking for somthing thats not expensive, and is pine really that bad?

[capsicum]

We use newspaper for our ball pythons, paper toweling (available in bulk rolls) for the geckos, repti-carpet for the beardie and spotted python, a combination of cyprus mulch and aspen shavings for the skinks, and newspaper and/or paper towel for the rest of them.
For the rodents we use newspaper and aspen shavings.

TK

[rwg]

I use newspaper, aspen, and cypress mulch. Newspaper for picky feeders that I feed in their cages. Aspen for low to medium humidity species, and cypress mulch for higher humidity species although sometimes I just use aspen instead.

If you need cheap, use newpaper. Ask a coffee shop if you can have old newspapers if you really really want to be cheap about it. I live in an apartment building, and I just pull them out of the recycling bin in the laundry room. :)

rg

[thunder]

i use newspaper for my rescues who are having shed problems, astro turf for my garters and ribbon, and all the other snakes are on carefresh, or the generic version. for 15 bucks a bale (yes, bale) its a pretty good deal. carefresh for all the lizards except my female beardies who get sand/soil mix. baby turtles get newspaper, indoor small tortoises get carefresh, leopard torts get newspaper.

[HetForHuman]

Newspaper, for most everything, and i use paper towel for all the babies i bring home...

[damzookeeper]

I use aspen for the rats, mice and snakes (not really all cheap but well priced if you can find it in a bulk bag), I use newspaper for the dragons and papertowel for the birds, leos and baby dragons, and cypress or hemlock mulch for the skinks and turtles. I don't put anything down in the cresteds melamine cage, just whipe it clean and disinfect it.

[annieb_mice]

Originally posted by seann
What do you all use for bedding i'm looking for somthing thats not expensive, and is pine really that bad?

*** Pine and Cedar, and other softwoods, contain "Phenols" which can irritate the respiratory system. Cedar is definately the worst, though Pine does contain phenols as well.
My snakes are kept on paper towels, and sometimes, when I haven't gotten to the store, newspaper.
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~

[mykee]

I'm with the consensus, I use unprinted newspaper stock for my adults, and paper towels for my hatchlings and babies.

[Optimus Prime]

I use a mattress and box spring, the above mentioned beds are just to uncomfortable for me :p

[Ian]

Bwahahaha, that was a good one Optimus Prime

[Optimus Prime]

Thanks I Do Try Now why arn't the rest of you laughing?

[annieb_mice]

BAHAHAHHAHAAH!!!
There.... that better? ;)
Take care
Annie B. <:3 )~~
(I'm laughing on the inside...)

[Optimus Prime]

I'm gald thanks annie :) i love having my ego stroked lol

[DaddysLiLGal]

I use aspen bedding, but for my younger snakes I use old newspaper.

[5alive]

The Truth About Pine Shavings

The great pine/cedar debate has been raging on the internet for quite awhile and many people have been mislead about the use of softwood (pine and cedar) bedding for small animals. Many people have been spreading incorrect, inaccurate information and have misinterpreted several scientific studies. Actually reading the studies and correctly interpreting them reveal there isn't a danger in using softwood bedding for animals.

[capsicum]

The Phenols (oils) in softwoods (pine and cedar) can cause upper respiratory problems in animals, however it isn't guarenteed that they will or will not.

Hairless rats are affected by nearly anything, and the only bedding I found that they don't have a negative reaction to is newspaper, but it needs to be cleaned more often.

Then of course you have human allergies and reactions. I can't touch any kind of softwood without breaking out in hives and struggling to breathe :p

I think it's just important to realize that there is the potential for softwoods to cause problems in animals.

TK