For what it is worth, here is who I have talked to about this....
Horse-person for lack of a better word at TSC
Vet (not exotic/small animal)
Both of them said that with something such small scale as a rat bin, that it would probably boil down to personal preference. The TSC lady said the expansion and extra cushioning helps the horses hooves, but that it may or may not be desirable for small aniamls. I was more concerned about asking the vet wether or not she would suggest the pine pellets or if I should switch to Aspen, etc. She was fine with the pine as long as it is kiln dried or undergoes something else to remove the phenols. When I asked about the wetting down like in a horse stall, she said it probably wouldnt make much of a difference, but that the extra water along with the rat droppings and urine may actually make it a better environment for fungus/mold etc. With regular cleaning I doubt this would be a problem, but still worth mentioning.
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