Question about pelleted bedding

So I haven't been able to get out to the feed store for a large amount of pine pellets yet, but I did get a bag of pine pelleted cat litter from Wal Mart the other day. It was enough to use on my 5 tubs of rats one time.

So I was really pleased with the odor reduction and the absorbtion properties of the pine pellets, but after about a week went by and I cleaned them... I really was amazed at how dusty everything was. I realize that all the pellets are is pine sawdust compacted into nice little pellets, which is why it got so dusty... but my concern is, I always thought it was very important to the health of rats to have a low dust bedding? I thought that dusty bedding could contribute to respritory problems in rats? I was actually worried the shredded aspen I usually use, but after seeing the amount of dust with these pellets I really got confused as to why this is supposed to be a good bedding for them.

Just looking for some input on this if anyone has any knowledge about it. Thanks.

It's a concern for me too Diana, but when I was initially only using aspen shavings, and made the switch to pine pellets, I noticed my rats didn't sneeze as much. Maybe it was a skewed reasoning on my part since they are virtually dustless when pelleted, but as they break down the rats do kick up a lot of dust that settles on everything and I can't sayv I ever took a second look at it.

Right now, I can say none of my rats have any respiratory problems.

The upside is excellent absorbency of moisture, smell control, and how far a little gets you.

The downside is dust that settles on everything as the pellets expand.

To help control dust, put down a sprinkling of aspen shavings on top. It will keep dust down, but smell will go up.

I have been using Equine Fresh for a year now and none of my rats have respiratory issues.

It is efficient, works great with my animals and I would never go back to other beddings.

Another question, does everyone add shredded bedding to tubs with pinkies in them?

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Originally Posted by Rapture

Another question, does everyone add shredded bedding to tubs with pinkies in them?

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With rat pups up to 15 days I use a very small amount of pellet and wood shaving (when I was using pellets alone I was losing a lot of babies)

Once the rats are 15 days and over I use pellets alone.

I use pellet alone for Mice and ASF at all time.

Thanks for the info Deb.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Deborah

With rat pups up to 15 days I use a very small amount of pellet and wood shaving (when I was using pellets alone I was losing a lot of babies)

Once the rats are 15 days and over I use pellets alone.

I use pellet alone for Mice and ASF at all time.

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Ditto that :gj:

We have used pellets too and the only problem I had was they drove my allergies crazy when used indside the house, in the greenhouse, where there is good air circulation and most of the rats, it doesnt bother me at all.

anyone know anything about corncob litter? i just bought a bag due to the fact that my trip to the pert store for aspen was UNBELIEVEABLY delayed. the mice and rats seem ok with it. just wondered if anyone knew of anything bad about it.
thanks,
Ashton

we tryied corncob but it got moldy fast when it got wet

Corncob is supposed to be one of the most absorbant litters, but there is the whole mold thing too, and it's incredibly expensive. :P

we where going to toy round with the pellets but i use either pine or aspen and it works really good for us..