Rodent Bedding Q

[Argentra]

Aspen works great, don't get me wrong, but recently I was given an opened bag 3/4 full of rabbit food pellets by someone who had lost their rabbit and knew I had one. Since this brand isn't the one my bun eats, I wondered:

Can you use rabbit pellets as bedding for rats and mice?

I don't want to waste all that stuff, and I know we used to use rabbit pellet as bedding for the turtles and tortoises at the zoo. Has anyone ever heard of it causing problems for mice or rats if they nibble on it a bit? I don't want to do it unless I know it'll be safe.

Thanks for any answers or opinions on this matter!

[Argentra]

Hmm... does anyone have any experience with this?? I would think it would be alright, but I want to be sure. Even if you've only heard from others, let me know. I like hearing all information I can get.

[nixer]

im guessing but i would assume that it would be alfalfa based.
i was under the understanding that rats cannot digest it perhaps im wrong but off had i would be worried about them eating it

[onebreitgirl]

I have seen rabbit food listed as an acceptable bedding on fancy rat websites. I don't think it's harmful for them to eat, just doesn't have any nutritional value.

[Argentra]

I've heard so many different things. But I would imagine that if they didn't like it they wouldn't eat it. I know rats can be very picky about their food.

I basically decided that I'll use it as bedding for the weaned feeders and give my breeder rats aspen. That way I can see if the pellets hurt the rats at all without it doing too much damage - i.e. not hurting my breeders.

Thanks for the comments.

[dracovolans]

Some info that might help you decide what to do.

http://www.afrma.org/beddilemmap3.htm

[MDB]

Some info that might help you decide what to do.

http://www.afrma.org/beddilemmap3.htm

that website says its all, do it

[littleindiangirl]

I too have heard it is acceptable to use as bedding.

[Argentra]

Awesome! That site was just what I needed.

Thank you much! Now I can use that 30lbs of pellets for something. Who knows, it might end up being cleaner and cheaper just to buy lower quality pellets in bulk as bedding for the rodents.

[littleindiangirl]

Let us know how that works out okay?