i have a hairless rat named jerry. for a while. when i first got his cage i put in towles as bedding. it seemed like a good idea but i had to change it often and it would smell really bad!!! then i switched to sredded up news paper but it was hard to manage. then i am back to the towles and it just doen't seem to be working because i have to wash it onstatlly and i have to waste alot of water for such a small load! if you have ever had any kind of rat htell me some good helpful answers. i NEED help. thanxs much
2006-08-05 16:18:48 · 7 answers · asked by Ciera baby* 2 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
Get some actual pet bedding. Our rat has CareFresh in her cage, a paper based litter that is completely safe, very absorbent and controls odor well.
2006-08-05 16:25:15 · answer #1 · answered by SLWrites 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I use and highly recommend Carefresh for rats and mice. I also work at a Petsmart and it's the only thing we'll use for the rats and the guinea pigs.
Carefresh is a paper based bedding with low dust and no oils. Rats have a very sensitive respiratory system and are prone to illnesses so that's why I stay away from any wood product. If you do decide to use wood shavings, I would suggest Aspen.
However, your rat is hairless and the wood shavings may irritate it's skin or even cause cuts or itching. Carefresh is also good for this as it is extremely soft and fluffy. It's good for nesting and absorbing odours and wetness too.
I breed mice (I currently have 12) but I also have two rats- a black hooded named Mishi and a black (mismarked) berkshire dumbo named Newt. I've also had a blue hooded, self black, beige hooded, and beige self in the past. I've tried all sorts of bedding too, but I always recommend Carefresh.
With carefresh, you should only have to change the bedding once a week or so (depending also on your cage size).
2006-08-06 02:05:37 · answer #2 · answered by Right On 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pine bedding works well, they also sell this stuff that looks like wadded up paper- it is supposedly etter for the little guy. I had my girls- one at a time- in a 20 gallon long aquarium. I used pine and changed the shavings once every 2 weeks or so. I normally dumped them in the compost heap.
My girls always used one side of the cage for the potty so I normally just removed that 1/2 and then spread the other 1/2 along the bottom. Then I would add a fresh layer on top. My cage NEVER smelled- I hate smelly animals!
2006-08-05 23:28:37 · answer #3 · answered by Lynn 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Aspen bedding is best, Pine bedding is OK.
Try this - sprinkle a thin layer of baking soda down in the bottom of the cage, then add one or two layers of unshredded flat newspaper, then add about 1/2 inch aspen or pine bedding. Wash cage bottom using diluted vinegar for the rinse (4 parts water, 1 part regular vinegar), air dry, and renew bedding completely every 7-10 days.
2006-08-05 23:40:43 · answer #4 · answered by imzadi 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
why dont you try somew of that hampster bedding not the one that looks like wood chips . i cant remeber the name i think it's aspen or something like that but it almost looks like pieces of cardboard and stuff it's reall good . but f that dont work then all i can say is invest on a hole load of towels just for your pet and do a whole load .
2006-08-05 23:26:10 · answer #5 · answered by mary_llinas 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try some Aspen bedding. It controls the smell pretty well, and you just throw it out when it gets dirty. BUT DON'T USE CEDAR!!
2006-08-05 23:24:07 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
NO!!! PINE AND CEDAR ARE DEADLY! Trust me, i have had 5 hamsters!! use carefresh bedding.
2006-08-05 23:41:32 · answer #7 · answered by Marisa 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋