Pine Debate!!!

[jglass38]

I've switched from Aspen to Pine for my rats. I haven't noticed any increase in sneezing or respiratory problems of any kind. The stuff I had been getting was a little too dusty so this week I picked up the brand sold at Petco. A little more expensive for the same size bag but its much better quality.

[Ginevive]

Does anyone have a link to any studies done on pine? I am just wondering; it has such a bad rap.
I use aspen shavings, and they are much more dusty than the hig-end pine I was using! I am just about ready for my next bag, running low, and on the fence about which to buy.

[jglass38]

I found this article. Not sure how much I believe Debbie "The Rat Lady" but take it for what its worth.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/litters.html

[Evan Jamison]

I think it matters highly on how the shavings are processed before they are packaged. I have used cheap pine that was VERY dusty and seemed to cause a little respiratory distress for the rodents. I have also used high-end, very thin, well-screened and kiln-dried pine that had NO dust, caused no problems and absorbed better than any other bedding I've used before (but it isn't cheap). A local herper has been using the same stuff on his rodent colony for almost 20 years, and he has the healthiest (and largest) colony I've ever seen. He has also kept thousands of snakes on the same shavings for years with no Ill effects.

That said, I've actually switched over to a shredded paper bedding that also has no dust whatsoever, absorbs very well, and is cheaper than most shavings.

-Evan

[jglass38]

I've actually switched over to a shredded paper bedding that also has no dust whatsoever, absorbs very well, and is cheaper than most shavings.

-Evan

Where are you getting the paper bedding from? How does it do with smell?

[Evan Jamison]

Where are you getting the paper bedding from?

What is the brand name of that? Can you buy in bulk?

It is produced here locally, but you may be able to find something similar if there is a livestock/feed store around your place. I buy it in large bags that expand to about 12.5 cu. ft. for about 7 bucks. I'm not sure exactly what it is made from, but I think it is shredded up phone books.

How does it do with smell?

With regular weekly changes I haven't noticed a difference in smell one way or the other, but on the occasional week where bedding changes are a day or two late, it seems to smell substantially less than with the shavings I used to use.

-Evan

[jamesw]

Pine is great for rodents, but not snakes.
I use pine for all my rodents, get a huge back from wal mart for 4.88

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Ok, I think I'll go with it. I was worried because I have to buy a pallet of 35 bags of the stuff and each bag is 35 lbs and 3.2 cubic feet each bag. Even if it is really dusty, I'll deal with it. I'll make a sifter if I need to. I am currently at 10 adult rats and I'll be getting a lot more very soon.

Heres the actual ad. I'll end up with 1225 lbs for 140$!
Woody Pet Products Inc
Warehouse in
Kokomo, IN. Fremont, NE. Birmingham, AL 35207
USA

Wood Type: Pine
Origin: Lumber Mill Bag Size: 3.20 cu.ft. Bag Weight: 35 lbs. Palleted: 35 Min. Order: 35 bags
Cost per bag (Min. order): $3.99 Cost per bag (100+ bag order): $3.99 Cost per bag (500+ bag order): $3.99

Telephone: 888-535-9816
Fax: 888-535-9861


Screened dried absorbent bagged Canadian (BC) shavings available in Birmingham Alabama, Kokomo Indiana & Fremont Nebraska. We accept VISA & MASTERCARD. Toll Free # 888-535-9816 email: shavings@woodypet.com web: www.woodypet.com

[Pork Chops N' Corn Bread]

Evan, is it just basically paper shreddings? We get a garbage bag every few days at my parents work and i use a little bit for bedding aswell as aspen

[monk90222]

shredded paper bedding -Evan

What is the brand name of that? Can you buy in bulk?


I switched from Aspen to Pine also. I have not noticed any sneezing or other respiratory issues. The pine I use is really dusty also (almost 1/2 sawdust). I use about a full 2.8 cu ft bag per cleaning, so the pine really fits in my budget.