Rat bedding

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

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.

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.

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

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?

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

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

Quote:

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Originally Posted by 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

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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.

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,

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 . ..

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

Hard to beat those mondo $5 bales/bags!

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We get bales of aspen for $6.99/bale at the local Seed Store and kiln dried pine for $3.95/ bale at Mills Fleet Farm.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by muddoc

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).

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I think most of it has to do with how it was processed. I used a pine bedding at first with my rats and noticed alot of respiratory problems. I started using aspen and it all went away. I then found the bales of pine at Mills Fleet Farm and noticed it said kiln dried, I have been using that ever since with no problems.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Smulkin

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.

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The pine is dusty at our walmart :(