Rat bedding

[wolfy-hound]

Hey all!
I am using aspen shavings for my rats. Currantly I get it in BIG bags at Petsmart. I knwo that there SHOULD be somewhere cheaper to buy it in bulk, but haven't found said place.
So where does everyone else buy THEIR rat bedding?

Currantly I am using fine shred aspen from walmart for my pythons. Comes in vaccuum packed medium bags. Not so bad on price. I can't find finely shredded aspen in any larger bags.

So just tossing it out there, as I couldn't find rat bedding where to buy anywhere on here so far.

wolfy

[frankykeno]

For our snakes I'm using that same fine shred aspen from WalMart. I've heard TSC (Tractor Supply Company) has huge compressed bags of aspen for around $9.00 so if you have one of those anywhere nearby that might be a good option for your rats. I believe Becky (SatanicIntention) was the one who told me to check TSC as that's where she gets her aspen.

[wolfy-hound]

Thank you so much! I do have 2 Tractor Supply, but both a quite a drive. I'll go soon, and we have ONE opening nearby.. in a few months. LOL. NOW NOW!!!
Thanks again so much!! I also finally at oh-god-hundred last night/this morning found a thread on MOUSE bedding that helped a ton too. I didn't think to put in mouse.. duh, I'm just stupid.
This place rocks!
W.

[SnakeySnakeSnake]

I put down the bulk pine they have at walmart, and then $9 bags of aspen.

I do a 1:2 ratio pine to aspen. The pine is more sawdusty and absorbs liquids and the aspen is nice for nesting

[lucky08]

Anyone ever heard of using Bermuda Grass Hay for bedding for rats? cuz i have a TON of it... Would it cause any health problems?

[SatanicIntention]

Too dusty and non-absorbent. Try aspen or another kiln-dried 100% hardwood bedding(NO cedar or anything that is complete pine).

[wolfy-hound]

I tried the pine straight, because of cost, and because Adam had said the big guys use pine. Honestly the stink was WAAAY worse. This time I mixed it and I will see if a mix of pine/aspen works better. Money wise, even mixing it will help with money. But if it stinks, then I will have to go back to plain aspen.
Wolfy

[Smulkin]

I put down the bulk pine they have at walmart, and then $9 bags of aspen.

I do a 1:2 ratio pine to aspen. The pine is more sawdusty and absorbs liquids and the aspen is nice for nesting

Hard to beat those mondo $5 bales/bags!

I don't know if that distro is regional (would think so due to price/weight) - but the pine our local wally world carries seems more often than not to be huge bits of pine and so not as dusty and sawdusty as other bags/brands I have seen.

[muddoc]

Becky,

I am just curious as to why you say nothing that is completely pine? We have about 100 breeder rats, and use nothing but straight pine bedding, and I have not had any problems with it. Also, I use the pine, because we get pine shavings in bulk(i.e. the bed of the truck full for about $25).

Thanks,

[Smulkin]

I am all-pine myself.

If I intended to keep the rats long term as pets etc I would be easily swayed to use an alternative - but given their inevitable porpose and demise and relatively short life-expenctancy . ..