Rodent Bedding..

[M.bredl.mad]

Hi just wondering what people use as bedding for there rats they breed to feed there snakes. Whats the best product to use price wise. I am using cat litter at the moment but wondering if there is something cheaper and just as effective. Before that i was using pine shaving but it seemed to make the rats sneeze.
Thanks

[alex_c]

i just use pine shavings and rip newspaper into strips and put it in and they grab it and make their nest with it straight away

[bjbk18]

i use the same method as alex_c works fine for me. But its a big space and they dont snezze(that ive seen) I went to bunnigs and brought a large gal plated toolbox for $39 and cut the front out then pop rivet wire on the front. I used plastic tubs b4 but they needed to be cleaned to often and the rats liked to chew holes in the lid

[bitey]

i use that breeders choice cat litter and change once a week and clean cages out with bleach and water, when they are ready to have little ones i put some of the paper from the shreader in and they make nest from it

[ace#74]

i use rodent pellets that absorb the smell and change it once a week

[snake_boy]

canu you feed and pet snake live mice?

[bitey]

Originally Posted by ace#74

i use rodent pellets that absorb the smell and change it once a week

what are rodent pellets i have never heard of them

[ace#74]

they are like kitty litter but smaller and snake boy NO you cant feed live food to snakes

[bitey]

cheers ace74

[Krystal]

Pine shavings are bad for rats!!! Flares up their myco (respiratory infections which they are all born with but certain rats have it worse and certain things make it worse) if you don't want sneezy rats with the red porphyrin around their eyes and nose then don't use highly dusty or fragrant things around them eg. wood shavings, deodorant, perfume, strong cleaners, bleach etc. F10 is good to clean with... spray, scrub clean and let dry.

Newspaper kitty litter is good, but you could just use newspaper. Cheap and easy plus they rip it up themselves and use it in their nests. I have also used paper towel which obviously they liked better than newspaper and shredded paper. Some people don't use substrate and just have towels velcroed down. I know they aren't pets but since you didn't want any rats with RI's you shouldn't use pine shavings. Easiest to clean would be kitty litter if its a generous layer as they move newspaper off the floor and then their poop gets stuck.

Sorry to go on about it but I researched a lot about my rats when we first got them...

[bitey]

Originally Posted by Krystal

Pine shavings are bad for rats!!! Flares up their myco (respiratory infections which they are all born with but certain rats have it worse and certain things make it worse) if you don't want sneezy rats with the red porphyrin around their eyes and nose then don't use highly dusty or fragrant things around them eg. wood shavings, deodorant, perfume, strong cleaners, bleach etc. F10 is good to clean with... spray, scrub clean and let dry.

Newspaper kitty litter is good, but you could just use newspaper. Cheap and easy plus they rip it up themselves and use it in their nests. I have also used paper towel which obviously they liked better than newspaper and shredded paper. Some people don't use substrate and just have towels velcroed down. I know they aren't pets but since you didn't want any rats with RI's you shouldn't use pine shavings. Easiest to clean would be kitty litter if its a generous layer as they move newspaper off the floor and then their poop gets stuck.

Sorry to go on about it but I researched a lot about my rats when we first got them...

i think you misunderstood i wash the cages in bleach then wash it all off

[Krystal]

Well it should be ok if it is all off - as long as you can't smell it afterwards?