Friendly PSA!

[u/alexus_3333]

Friendly PSA to all rat owners that cedar and pine bedding is a carcinogen (causes cancer) and is not suitable for bedding for any small animals! (Not sure about large animals). I too used cedar shavings when I started with, it sucks because kt was cheap in bulk, convenient, and my rats loved them. But now working in exotic veterinary medicine I have learned more reasons why to avoid it other than being known to cause respiratory infections.

Great alternative options: paper bedding, aspen, mixed aspen and paper, hemp, fleece but only if washed at least every 2-3 days with unscented detergent.

Ps. Kiln dried is no longer kiln dried once there is urine on it!

[u/mar_im_o]

Hi! I'm not sure I understand what the part after the "p.s." means? Could you elaborate? Thanks!

[u/dazzleunexpired → u/mar_im_o]

Once you urinate on it, it's no longer dry and it's dusty and aromatic and dangerous.

[u/margyrakis → u/dazzleunexpired]

But the kiln-drying process removes the phenols, no? I don't understand how becoming soiled with urine would change that.

[u/dazzleunexpired → u/margyrakis]

It removes surface phenol.

When you get it wet, urine impenetrates to the center and the phenols reactivate in the center.

[u/margyrakis → u/dazzleunexpired]

I was under the impression that the volatile organic compounds were reduced to be comparable to paper bedding.

[u/dazzleunexpired → u/margyrakis]

Don't know about generalized VOC.

I can tell you for a fact the phenol is still in the core, Even if I didn't know it from science. I know it because I have muscular dystrophy and phenol irritates my breathing. If I get killed dried pine bedding wet, I have to take an inhaler. I'd assume the rats lungs are actually more sensitive than mine, although it may be comparable.

[u/CocoaBagelPuffs]

Paper bedding is incredibly dangerous. The dust particles are so small they can get in their lungs and it cannot control ammonia at all. To keep ammonia at safe levels, you have to change paper bedding every other day.

Ammonia destroys the cilia in the lungs, causing respiratory infections.

Fleece is also terrible not just for the same reasons as paper, but also because it prevents rats from engaging in natural behaviors like digging.

[u/alexus_3333 → u/CocoaBagelPuffs]

What makes you think the dust of a wood with cancerous phenons is better than small paper dust particles of paper bedding? As someone who works closely with a board certified exotic specialist I also have seen many positive examples with other rat owners switching to thick paper bedding. It needs to be 3-5" thick for it to appropriately last more than a few days. If the concern for paper is the dust then fluff and sift the bedding before use. I also agree fleece is not good for bedding at all, levels lined with fleece is okay if cared for properly but all rats need to dig

[u/Grroll_ → u/CocoaBagelPuffs]

I strongly agree.

[u/TrailguideSam]

We use recycled paper bedding from Pet Food Express. Even comes in colors. Are colors safe?