Using pine substrate for rats your feeding Bp's with

[GetaGrip]

Just wanted to know.... I read on the site that a user suggested using pine pellets to reduce the odor from keeping/breeding rats as feeders which seemed like something I might try, until I read that pine substrate is not suitable for ball pythons. soooo, my question is, if I use the pine substrate for the rats, will this affect my BP's who eat the pine dwelling rats?? (or even cedar dwelling rats?)

[xdeus]

I've been using pine shavings with my feeder rats for years without any problems.

[FIREball]

Pine is suitable for ball pythons, I know a few large breeders using without any problems.

[blackcrystal22]

As long as you make sure it's kiln dried, you shouldn't have any problems.

[JayCee]

Kiln dried pine (guardian premium horse bedding) is under 5$ at the local Farm & Fleet. I switched to it awhile back and have no problems.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Don't use cedar, it's highly toxic. Pine for the rodents is probably fine, if you're not noticing an increase in sniffles with it. I wouldn't use it for a pet rat I meant to keep alive for 4 years, but for feeders who generally live only 1 year, it's not an issue.
Snake keepers have been feeding snakes on rodents kept on pine for decades with no noticeable issue.

[GetaGrip]

Thanks guys, this has been really helpful. I will start using pine bedding and search for my nearest farm supply. I did notice the sniffles/squeeking with domestic rats on aspen bedding, but not with the natals (ASF) which are usually what I keep.

[angllady2]

Ok I need clarification please.

Do you use Kiln dried pine for the rodents or the snakes themselves?

I only want to do what is best for my babies, so I've been using aspen, but the kiln dried pine horse bedding from my local co-op would be MUCH cheaper.

Can someone clear this up for me please?

Gale

[withonor]

Kiln dried is find for pythons as well as rodents. Rodents can be fine either way. Basically for pythons, they react to pine oils/sap, so if it's dried, it's okay.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Sniffles is mycoplasma, an omnipresent rat and mouse virus which they carry their entire lives. It flares up in times of stress, and can lead to fatal secondary infections. It is likely that respiratory irritants can increase the risk of these infections.
So, rats will sneeze on aspen, pine, or anything else you put them on. The trick is to try to minimize stress, keep things very clean, and avoid excessive fumes.
Frankly, the ammonia from their own urine is likely far more irritating than the volatile oils from pine, as long as the room is well-ventilated. So, changing the bedding frequently is going to make more of a difference than using aspen over pine.
Cedar, however, is viciously toxic.

ASFs aren't closely related to domestic rats and mice. It is not impossible that they either can't contract myco, or it doesn't affect them in the same way that it does Rattus and Mus genus animals.