Colored Aspen

[Coils]

I saw another thread about this a while back, but I am wondering if anyone has messed with it further or found anything to be harmful about it?

So far I myself purchased a bag of the red reptile aspen bedding from petsmart and was letting my kenyans live within it. Nothing so far has happened or appeared to be wrong with it over a few months of them living in the dyed bedding. It's not very dusty and it doesn't seem that the red bedding was a problem.

HOWEVER....I purchased the bag of black bedding next and planned to use this as well, but found it had a very strong and weird smell compared to the red bedding. The red bedding has a SLIGHT oder I would imagine from being dyed, but the black is VERY strong.

I am wondering if anyone else would feel this would be -safe- to use over a long period of time? I tested it a little with no ill effects, but over a course of a few months or so it worries me that maybe it would cause respitory issues??

I would assume it smells stronger because you would need to use a lot of dye to get it JET BLACK. If a bin was ventilated enough maybe it wouldn't be as bad, but considering they LAY/DIG/and BREATHE so close to it....it just worries me. I currently do not have anyone living in the black bedding.

I REALLY like this idea of giving color to a bin or enclousure though so I am a little reluctant to say it will be dangerous. I wish something cool would be 100% safe for once. -____-

Opinions?

[Russ Lawson]

I would research what they use to dye it. I don't imagine they'd market something toxic, but something that isn't toxic to small rodents may be toxic to reptiles. Personally, I wouldn't use it if it's got a strong smell. Do you have anywhere you can get just plain undyed aspen. I would imagine it's cheaper than the 'decorative' stuff.

[Russ Lawson]

Alternatively, if you want to keep the decorative look, for the KSB's you could use one of the several reptile sands out there. It's only a bit more difficult to clean and probably more expensive, but there is a nice variety of different colours. I kept my rosy boas on that and never had any problems. Don't even think they ingested any, though it was supposed to be safe for a small amount to be ingested.

[franken_stein]

Huh. I didn't even know they made colored aspen bedding. I just used the regular kind til now. But I guess if it was marketed for reptiles, it should be safe enough, right? Haha maybe I should try it, just for a change of scene...