The Pine Debate

[Skiploder]

All of my rats are kept on pine (pellets for adults, shavings for nursing moms and babies) - none wheeze or snuffle, and my oldest was almost four years old before she died. I personally have seen no negative effects of using pine bedding for any of my rodents. In addition, it cuts the smell much better than aspen does.

I also keep many hundreds of rats on regular pine and have for 5+ years generation after generation with many of them as pets that are my wifes personal favorites. Never have had any respitory problems whatsoever.

Now what does cause respitory problems is keeping rodents in enclosed tanks with little ventilation caused by the the fumes from their constant peeing and pooping. The bedding is irrelevant. Some could very easily blame the bedding but the reality is they need cages with screened or grated tops that allow alot of air circulation.

I have seen several theories on the internet that are based on assumptions more than facts, for instance, dont feed in the enclosure because they will bite you whenever you open the cage. This is bunk but still is believed and preached passionately by many.

I am a fulltime newspaper guy for BP's now but have kept my kings on dried pine and aspen with the same results, perfectly fine.

I dont use dried pine on the rats (even hairless) and for many years and have never had any problems at all, ever.

For snakes I would say only dried pine and you are fine, rodents either one

Your first sentence is a flat out lie. I've got over 100 adults here you can come listen to any time you like. They've never been on anything but pine. I've got to be 30 generations on pine.

You second sentence is pure balderdash. You may have studies to back it up but as has been said, kraplan isn't known for accuracy, honesty or intelligence. I've had pet rats live 3 or 4 years on pine.

Do you have ANY personal experience with it?

As far as your scientists and measurements go, I may not be going to that extreme but my snakes eat, breed, move, live long lives and have multiple generations all while living on pine from hatchling to old age. I have decades of experience with, as I said, thousands of snakes. My information, though it directly contradicts what you regurgitate, is true, accurate and time tested.

Look at the dozens of people who have come forward on this thread citing the horrors of pine bedding and it becomes obvious you three have all had rare streaks of luck.......

.......year after year after year after year........