What's your substrate??

[CamHanna]

I've always just used wood shavings but that's a nuisince so last week I tried newsprint which turned out to be rather un-hygenic.

This afternoon I changed all the rats and put them on clumping kittylitter, my hope is that it will work as well for rats as it does for cats. This way a can clean them every morning or evening a kitty-litter strainer. On top of that it'll suck up waterbottly drips. Hope it works

Anyways, does any one out there have any little tricks for more hygenic rat husbandry?

Cam

[Jayson]

I use a layer of pine shavings on the bottom and a layer of shredded newsprint on the top. I would be broke in week if i had to use kitty litter LOL

The newsprint makes good nesting material and the wood shavings absorbe moisture.

[CamHanna]

my hope is that I'll be able to just strain out the dirty litter and keep the clean stuff until it is soiled. Hopefully it won't cost a fortune. I strained everyone this morning and it took no time at all. Still just a trial but so far it seems to work, still waiting to see how long I can use the same kittylitter.

[jjnnbns]

I have been using shredded paper from a friends work... he grabs each bag before it makes it to the trash! Works great for building nests!

[CamHanna]

I threw in some newsprint for nests. They're having a ball digging around in the kitty litter, that or they don't like it and are trying to escape. I'll let you know how it turns out... the maintenance is certainly easier though.

[mykee]

Unprinted newspaper.

[justinO]

mine is aspen....... it's $11 a bale so i don't mind at all.

I didn't think kitty litter would work..... anyone else try it?

I'm all about keeping the smell down right now!

[CamHanna]

Well, it's working so far. It's easy to clean and doesn't stink. It doesn't do much for bedding but I've thrown in some newsprint for nests. I'll let you know if it works in the long run.

[CamHanna]

I've come across some respiratory problems (crusty noses, coughing...) and have switched back to shavings. I also noticed that the rats just didn't seem as 'perky', perhaps this is attributable to the kitty litter. At any rate, I now consider my trial a failure.

[daver676]

Newspaper. Cheap and easy to clean.

[Mark]

pine for the rats. Can't beat $5 for 10 cubic feet

[Linds]

My all-time favourite substrate is Carefresh. Even when it's dirty, you don't get that urine-poopy-ratty stink you get with other substrates, I can clean 3x less, and it is 100% healthy for the environment and animals being housed on it. I only use this for my pet rats due to the price. Newspaper would be a good alternative for feeders, but I find it too messy and doesn't offer any odour control. I just use pine shavings for my feeders.