Pine shavings...

Does anyone have a preference for rat substrate? I have been using some "Track Side" pine shavings I got from a feed store but not sure if it matters to the rats. 3.12 cf and was about $8.

The other is made specifically for small animals and bought at Walmart but a little smaller of a package at 2.0 cf and about $6.

Should I just stick with the feed store shavings or get something like the stuff from Walmart. Lately I have been just mixing them together.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...ef50f05b74.jpg

Since I often see that pine and cedar are mildly toxic, I was curious and found this old thread that has a few references and experience to both sides of the question..

https://ball-pythons.net/forums/show...g-Bad-for-Rats

Anyway, I've just been using shredded aspen for my feeder rats.

I have been using this for a decade with no issue http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...t?cm_vc=-10005

2.5 cu feet expand to 8 only $4.99

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

I have been using this for a decade with no issue http://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/pro...t?cm_vc=-10005

2.5 cu feet expand to 8 only $4.99

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That's a good deal, but the closest dealer is about an hour away in a direction I never drive lol. I suppose I could buy a bunch at a time and maybe make the hour long drive worth it. I'm just wondering if shavings like yours and my "track side" are kiln dried even though they don't post it. Maybe they are all kiln dried and that's just the standard.

I use the same one from TS.
Usually buy 6 to 10 bags at a time.

Either that or I buy the 2.5 cf of aspen at TS too, still a good buy at like 8 bucks and even though I know pine is ok it puts my mind at ease using aspen haha.

But technically since pine is toxic to bps...wouldn't it still get transferred through the rat by their feet, fur, insides, etc?


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The oils are toxic but kiln dried is good.

Gotcha I just assumed pine in general. Op have you thought about just reusing snake bedding? I've seen quite a few people on here when spot cleaning just throw in the rat racks and mix in a bit of new or shredded paper or such?


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