Bedding & Litter
Below I will include pictures, recommendations & details of some of my favorite items I have tested, or come across over the years. I have spent a lot of time & money testing different products and here are my personal findings/reviews. These are only my personal preference & opinions.
Bedding:
Kaytee Clean & Cozy - White or scented
Rat Safe Level: Good
*I use the white
Findings / Comments: This is a good alternative to Harlan's Diamond Soft or Carefresh Ultra. It is very fluffy and does stick to the rats sometimes. It comes in basic white, Rose, Lavender, Vanilla, Cinnamon,, Citrus & Unscented (White or coloured). I would advise against the citrus, it is not good for males (so I stay away all together).
*I use the white
Findings / Comments: This is a good alternative to Harlan's Diamond Soft or Carefresh Ultra. It is very fluffy and does stick to the rats sometimes. It comes in basic white, Rose, Lavender, Vanilla, Cinnamon,, Citrus & Unscented (White or coloured). I would advise against the citrus, it is not good for males (so I stay away all together).
Flax Bedding
Rat Safe Level: Good
*I use this & sell it for $12.99+tax per bag
Findings / Comments: I LOVE FLAX BEDDING. It has no dust, it vacuums up easily without clogging the machine. it is silky softy. Cost effective. One bag will last the average owner 6 months.
*I use this & sell it for $12.99+tax per bag
Findings / Comments: I LOVE FLAX BEDDING. It has no dust, it vacuums up easily without clogging the machine. it is silky softy. Cost effective. One bag will last the average owner 6 months.
Corn Cob Bedding
Rat Safe Level: Good
*I use this
Findings / Comments: This has no dust, it vacuums up easily without clogging the machine. It is very absorbent. It is very dry and takes quite a bit to cover the bottom on the cage. I recommend using Kaytee clean & Cozy with this to offer warm sleeping spots.
*I use this
Findings / Comments: This has no dust, it vacuums up easily without clogging the machine. It is very absorbent. It is very dry and takes quite a bit to cover the bottom on the cage. I recommend using Kaytee clean & Cozy with this to offer warm sleeping spots.
Paper Pellets
Rat Safe Level: Good
*I use this, but it can be hard to find
Findings / Comments: This bedding has little to no dust. It is very nice because it is bigger and gets kicked out of cages less. Fantastic for absorption without going mushy. It is sold as "puppy go potty" dog litter. It isn't the cheapest option, and can be hard to find... but it works well in shallow bottom/tray cages.
*I use this, but it can be hard to find
Findings / Comments: This bedding has little to no dust. It is very nice because it is bigger and gets kicked out of cages less. Fantastic for absorption without going mushy. It is sold as "puppy go potty" dog litter. It isn't the cheapest option, and can be hard to find... but it works well in shallow bottom/tray cages.
Aspen Chip
Aspen Chip Bedding (Can be used as litter)
Rat Safe Level: Good
Findings / Comments: I don't like this bedding very much. Contrary to what you would think, there literally is no dust. It doesn't cover as well as the Aspen Shavings or other bedding & it is more expensive. It does vacuum up easier but it is tossed out easier too.
Findings / Comments: I don't like this bedding very much. Contrary to what you would think, there literally is no dust. It doesn't cover as well as the Aspen Shavings or other bedding & it is more expensive. It does vacuum up easier but it is tossed out easier too.
Fleece
Rat Safe Level: Good
Findings / Comments: Fleece is the best for dust levels because there is NO dust. OBVIOUSLY... but I have found it to smell very fast, thus it must be changed every 1-2 days otherwise the smell from the urine can also cause respitory infections. This needs to be washed thoroughly in a washine machine on HOT water to kill all bacterias. I recommend baby detergent for sensitive skin. As well has having minimum of 4 sets to exchange between while cleaning so you have enough to run at least a small load... otherwise the thoughts of "saving" aren't true when you are constantly running the washer. *Female rats are also far more prone to chewing and destroying fleece.
Findings / Comments: Fleece is the best for dust levels because there is NO dust. OBVIOUSLY... but I have found it to smell very fast, thus it must be changed every 1-2 days otherwise the smell from the urine can also cause respitory infections. This needs to be washed thoroughly in a washine machine on HOT water to kill all bacterias. I recommend baby detergent for sensitive skin. As well has having minimum of 4 sets to exchange between while cleaning so you have enough to run at least a small load... otherwise the thoughts of "saving" aren't true when you are constantly running the washer. *Female rats are also far more prone to chewing and destroying fleece.
Aspen Shavings
Rat Safe Level: Fair (proceed with caution)
Findings / Comments: Not a fav. I used it when I began breeding because it was said to be safe on many websites & cost effective (seemed ideal). I guess in theory it is ok, but there is much better available. I did find that it still did encourage respitory irritations even though it`s `safe`. There still is a very small amount of dust even though they claim there isn`t. This does vary by brand. It sticks to everything clothing, carpet, you... somehow I would get it in my hair!
The Good: It is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other options. Good coverage, smells woodsy.
Findings / Comments: Not a fav. I used it when I began breeding because it was said to be safe on many websites & cost effective (seemed ideal). I guess in theory it is ok, but there is much better available. I did find that it still did encourage respitory irritations even though it`s `safe`. There still is a very small amount of dust even though they claim there isn`t. This does vary by brand. It sticks to everything clothing, carpet, you... somehow I would get it in my hair!
The Good: It is relatively inexpensive in comparison to other options. Good coverage, smells woodsy.
Shredded Newspaper (Food Based Dyes)
Rat Safe Level: Fair (proceed with caution)
*Hamilton Spectator is food based dyes (animal safe)
Findings / Comments: This is a lot of work, and also needs very regular cleaning like the fleece does. It is very absorbant, but is very quickly soaked. ALWAYS be very careful to ensure the dyes used in printing are safe. The dyes can bleed onto your rats, be careful to not bamage your property or clothing. This bedding also smells of ammonia very fast.
*Hamilton Spectator is food based dyes (animal safe)
Findings / Comments: This is a lot of work, and also needs very regular cleaning like the fleece does. It is very absorbant, but is very quickly soaked. ALWAYS be very careful to ensure the dyes used in printing are safe. The dyes can bleed onto your rats, be careful to not bamage your property or clothing. This bedding also smells of ammonia very fast.
Recycled & Processed Box/Cardboard
Rat Safe Level: Poor (proceed with caution)
Findings / Comments: This is very similar to carefresh standard. This includes Boxo, and other "natural" brown beddings. These are often less processed, but for the rats that means more dusty. Don't get hooked by the buzz word natural.
Pine
Rat Safe Level: Poor / Bad
Findings / Comments: There is a lot of controversy on the safety of using pine and other softwoods as long as they are kiln dried. I personally am not willing to risk it. I've seen so many bags of pine that are full of dust and small particles. The natural wood beddings are more attractive to parasites. The oils in Pine are not safe, never use pine products that have not been treated.
Findings / Comments: There is a lot of controversy on the safety of using pine and other softwoods as long as they are kiln dried. I personally am not willing to risk it. I've seen so many bags of pine that are full of dust and small particles. The natural wood beddings are more attractive to parasites. The oils in Pine are not safe, never use pine products that have not been treated.
Carefresh "standard, colours or ultra"
Rat Safe Level: Poor (proceed with caution)
Findings / Comments: Carefresh & Kaytee Clean & Cozy are often confused, or people do not realize there is a difference. You can wipe a large amount of dust off of the plastic walls in a fresh cleaned cage with Carefresh. You won't find that with Clean & Cozy. I advise to send the extra couple bucks and get Kaytee Clean & Cozy.
Findings / Comments: Carefresh & Kaytee Clean & Cozy are often confused, or people do not realize there is a difference. You can wipe a large amount of dust off of the plastic walls in a fresh cleaned cage with Carefresh. You won't find that with Clean & Cozy. I advise to send the extra couple bucks and get Kaytee Clean & Cozy.
Multi-Use:
Aspen Threads
Rat Safe Level: Good
Findings / Comments: I like to use this in houses and nesting for moms. It can be maniuplated to any shape. It works well to cover levels on cages if you don't have solid floors (wire) or even if you do to absorb pee and the poops get caught in it rather then pushed out of the cage.
Findings / Comments: I like to use this in houses and nesting for moms. It can be maniuplated to any shape. It works well to cover levels on cages if you don't have solid floors (wire) or even if you do to absorb pee and the poops get caught in it rather then pushed out of the cage.
Fleece Scraps
Rat Safe Level: Good
Findings / Comments: Usually rally cheap from a hammock seamstress. or you can find fleece blankets on sale and cut them up. Very interactive for you rats to carry them around, shred them, make a bed. can be thrown out if they become too soiled or shredded.
Findings / Comments: Usually rally cheap from a hammock seamstress. or you can find fleece blankets on sale and cut them up. Very interactive for you rats to carry them around, shred them, make a bed. can be thrown out if they become too soiled or shredded.
Pellets
Rat Safe Level: Fair
Findings / Comments: Beware of what the product was before it was pelleted, were the dyes used safe? These are fairly cheap, but they're very heavy and turn into a really gross mush when wet. You'll need to use a lot to cover the floor sufficiently that the pellets don't roll under their feet.
Findings / Comments: Beware of what the product was before it was pelleted, were the dyes used safe? These are fairly cheap, but they're very heavy and turn into a really gross mush when wet. You'll need to use a lot to cover the floor sufficiently that the pellets don't roll under their feet.
Litter:
Kaytee Walnut (Crushed Walnut Shells)
Rat Safe Level: Fair
Findings / Comments: nice feature is that this is pretty easy to scoop poops out of. It is expensive to use as more then a litter box. There is a small amount if dust in this, I only ever found it to cause issues if they slept in it.
Findings / Comments: nice feature is that this is pretty easy to scoop poops out of. It is expensive to use as more then a litter box. There is a small amount if dust in this, I only ever found it to cause issues if they slept in it.
Kitty Litter (non-clumping, non-scented, low dust)
Rat Safe Level: Poor (Proceed with caution)
Findings / Comments: Very dusty, dangerous if consumed
Findings / Comments: Very dusty, dangerous if consumed
