Colored Aspen

I saw another thread about this a while back, but I am wondering if anyone has messed with it further or found anything to be harmful about it?

So far I myself purchased a bag of the red reptile aspen bedding from petsmart and was letting my kenyans live within it. Nothing so far has happened or appeared to be wrong with it over a few months of them living in the dyed bedding. It's not very dusty and it doesn't seem that the red bedding was a problem.

HOWEVER....I purchased the bag of black bedding next and planned to use this as well, but found it had a very strong and weird smell compared to the red bedding. The red bedding has a SLIGHT oder I would imagine from being dyed, but the black is VERY strong.

I am wondering if anyone else would feel this would be -safe- to use over a long period of time? I tested it a little with no ill effects, but over a course of a few months or so it worries me that maybe it would cause respitory issues??

I would assume it smells stronger because you would need to use a lot of dye to get it JET BLACK. If a bin was ventilated enough maybe it wouldn't be as bad, but considering they LAY/DIG/and BREATHE so close to it....it just worries me. I currently do not have anyone living in the black bedding.

I REALLY like this idea of giving color to a bin or enclousure though so I am a little reluctant to say it will be dangerous. I wish something cool would be 100% safe for once. -____-

Opinions?

I would research what they use to dye it. I don't imagine they'd market something toxic, but something that isn't toxic to small rodents may be toxic to reptiles. Personally, I wouldn't use it if it's got a strong smell. Do you have anywhere you can get just plain undyed aspen. I would imagine it's cheaper than the 'decorative' stuff.

Alternatively, if you want to keep the decorative look, for the KSB's you could use one of the several reptile sands out there. It's only a bit more difficult to clean and probably more expensive, but there is a nice variety of different colours. I kept my rosy boas on that and never had any problems. Don't even think they ingested any, though it was supposed to be safe for a small amount to be ingested.

Huh. I didn't even know they made colored aspen bedding. I just used the regular kind til now. But I guess if it was marketed for reptiles, it should be safe enough, right? Haha maybe I should try it, just for a change of scene...