"DO NOT use PINE or CEDAR bedding!"

[Bellabob]

I made a post like this a while ago, but every single rat care or rat breeding or ANYTHING that has to do with pet rats at all, ALWAYS says "DO NOT USE PINE!"

I use pine, and it's not even the "pet" bedding. It's used for animals, but not small animals like rats. I've been using since the summer of last year and I have not had any problems at all with it. No respitory infections, breathing problems, babies dying, nothing.

My question is, what is the big deal? I mean really? I know a lot of people on here use pine, whats your experiences with it? Heres the link to the website that had the title in it:

http://www.80stoysale.com/ratsickness.html

Thanks.

[RichsBallPythons]

The dont use Pine is directed to True Real pine thats not Kiln Dried. All wood has Phenol oils in them even aspen. But its how its processed and heated to minimize them oils

[jasbus]

My experience:
Been using pine since 1985. No problems.

[RaltsXIV]

i've lost once babies once to kiln dried pine, because I used the bottom of the bag and the particles were dusty and small enough for babies to inhale. Killed two litters.

Other than that it was pretty much fine.

[wolfy-hound]

Well, sites always say "Never house two snakes together" but plenty of folks do that without any issues too.

I think using pine(kiln dried preferably) isn't like housing two snakes together really. I mean, commercial breeders used pine bedding for how many years? So while it might be as good as aspen, I don't think it's a 'death sentance' automatically either.

I use the aspen myself. I don't like the smell of the pine bedding. Both are from renewable resources. The aspen mulches better than the pine.

[bokuza]

You just need to watch the dust and read how it is processed. I actually carefully touch the bags and if im allowed touch the bedding itself. If my hands are dusty I won't purchase it. If I can smell a really strong scent I won't buy it either.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I've been using pine for a few years with no problems. The only studies I've ever been able to find say that cedar is the one that has been proven in lab tests to cause organ failure in rats.

It is in fine print on the side of the bag but I checked every brand in every size of pine at Petsmart and they are ALL kiln dried so no worries.

Pine is OK (the fluffy stuff packed tightly) and it is the only thing that controls odor, ammonia, and moisture for a full week.

The pine pellets on the other hand, can become too dusty and kill babies by clogging their nose.

[RichsBallPythons]

I've been using pine for a few years with no problems. The only studies I've ever been able to find say that cedar is the one that has been proven in lab tests to cause organ failure in rats.

It is in fine print on the side of the bag but I checked every brand in every size of pine at Petsmart and they are ALL kiln dried so no worries.

Pine is OK (the fluffy stuff packed tightly) and it is the only thing that controls odor, ammonia, and moisture for a full week.

The pine pellets on the other hand, can become too dusty and kill babies by clogging their nose.

If using strictly pine pellets for rats, yes its a problem with babies dieing. If needing to, mix it a 80 shavings 20 pellets. Gives a good ratio and odor control

Mice, straight pellets is fine as the dust wont harm them.

[Foschi Exotic Serpents]

I agree Rich. For awhile I would put a thin layer of the pellets on the bottom of my tubs and put the fluffy pine on top. It worked great but I stopped doing it because the pellets are so heavy I'd have to use multiple garbage bags per rack when I'd only need one per rack otherwise.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

My experience is this I have been breeding rats for 4 and half years straight, I produce a few thousand rats each year and I NEVER had any health issue, respiratory or other.

I use pine pellets and pine shaving.