RatPalace.com - Pet Rat Care and Discussion

Sat Jul 02, 2005 8:27 am

Not sure if this is the best place to post this, but here goes....

I take care of my rats well, in my humble opinion. They have plenty of cage space, get play breaks, food and water changed daily, cages cleaned on a routine basis, etc.
Here's my issue:
I've tried lining the bottom of their cage with a few different things, to cover the wire part. Aspen shavings, newspaper, cardboard. They always manage to push aside or tear up anything lining the bottom, exposing some of the wire underneath. I've considered removing the wire bottom so the removable litter pan is directly underfoot, but that would mean their poos and pees do not fall out of their reach. That doesn't seem sanitary. But I do worry about their little rattie feet. They have had no health problems, as of yet, related to walking on wire, so this isn't a dire situation. And every other level/walking surface of the cage is safe for their feet.
But I was curious if there is anything else I could use or try that would keep the wire bottom covered, but still make the litter pan a functional part of their set-up.
All suggestions are welcome.
Thanks!

Sat Jul 02, 2005 9:14 am

Honestly, I can't think of anything that would cover the wire AND keep poop and pee down there. If you're worried about them walking in it, I wouldn't. Rats usually pick one corner to do their business in, and confine their poos to that area. As long as you keep it clean, you shouldn't have to worry about them wallowing in it.

You could also try litterbox training them.
Check out http://www.dapper.com.au/articles.htm#litter for more info on how to do it.

_________________
--Brittany

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

Sat Jul 02, 2005 11:57 am

I guess it depends on the spacing of the wire in the cage floor. Wire floors, once thought to be a cause of bumblefoot, have now been shown NOT to cause bumblefoot issues. If it's a comfort thing, and the other levels are all comfortable solid surfaces to walk on, then I wouldn't worry too much. The main concern would be if the wire bottom is spaced far enough that a foot could get caught, making it difficult to walk or easy to trap a foot.

I think, whatever you cover the wire with - unless it's impermeable so all urine drains through, then some urine and droppings are going to get trapped any way. If you want it as a real "filtration system, it may be better to put litter underneath the wire and not worry overly about covering it. Then, if you did want to add something to make it a bit softer on the paw, something like fabric would be a plan - it's still going to trap droppings and urine, but at least you can change it on a daily basis and wash it well, and if you cut it to size and attach some simple fastenings onto it, then you can attach it to the bars to keep it in place.

If it's any consolation, parts of my cage are also wire flooring - none of mine have problems with their feet, parts are solid, and they seem perfectly comfortable walking on it. But it's narrow squares (just big enough for a poop to fit through lengthways) and they seem quite happy with that, without there being a risk of trapping a foot or hand.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Sun Jul 03, 2005 7:51 am

Anyone here use Super Shavins? I've used Carefresh, Aspen. woodpellets.. corncob.. and these shavings are by far the best thing ever! I swear there's no dust at all from it! And it soaks up pee like mad! It's the best stuff I've ever used.. Just thought I'd post this link in case anyone never heard of it.. I think it's just great!

http://www.animalworldnetwork.com/bcrsushbeinf.html

I also found this site.. seems really neat!

http://www.absorbent.com/

_________________
To me a lush carpet of pine needles or spongy grass is more welcome than the most luxurious Persian rug - Helen Keller

http://photobucket.com/albums/v215/Glideriffic/

Sun Jul 03, 2005 5:12 pm

I think someone else mentioned this....

Aye...

(5th & 6th post down on page 6 of this thread)

If it's a soft wood, I think there may still be the possibility of some of the phenols being released - all softwoods release them to a greater or lesser extent (or so I understand). However, I know they do treat some products (usually pine) to remove the phenols. Some people will use those kinds of products, some still feel that there's a risk there. However, without being able to know precisely what these shavings are made from, I really can't give a firm opinion one way or the other. Confused

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:11 pm

I wasn't sure where to put this, so please feel free to move it if appropriate.

I'm looking to assemble a user survey on rat beddings. Anyone with experience using any/all rat beddings, I would like it if you could participate.
I will be creating an averaged rating chart system (published on a website) based on user reviews, for general public use.

Scale is 0-5
0 being less desirable
5 being most desirable
You can also use a 0.5 vote if needed for better accuracy.

Please let me know if you feel an additional category should be added.
You can reply with your results to this message, or in a private message or email to angelcumbersom@gmail.com
Feel free to rate as many beddings as you would like. Any small pet, or cat (rat safe) litters are acceptable.

Categories as follows:

Type: (What the bedding is made from)
Biodegradable: (Yes or No)
Flushable: (Yes or No)
Scented: (Natural or added scent, please clarify.)
Shape: (The shape of individual bedding pieces.)
Colour: (The overall colour of the bedding.)
Dust: (How dusty is this product new and after being used, as a total. 0-5)
Comfort: (Overall comfort for rats sleeping/walking on bedding. 0-5)
Odor Control: (How well does the bedding hold up to controlling odors, up to the day of cleaning. 0-5)
Longevity: (Is the bedding long lasting, or must it be changed more frequently then others? 0-5)
Tracking: (Do you often find the bedding around the floor of the cage, or through out your house, or little to no tracking. 0-5)
Absorbency: (General urine absorbency ability & absorbency against water spills, or leaky water bottles. 0-5)
Overall Safety: (Is this product safe in every way for rats? 0-5)
Cost Value: (Does product provide enough bedding for the cost of what you pay per package? 0-5)

Once again, thank you to all whom participate.

_________________
"If you won't rescue, don't breed"

Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:21 pm

Categories as follows:

Type: (What the bedding is made from) ALPINE
Biodegradable: (Yes or No) UNK?
Flushable: (Yes or No) NO
Scented: (Natural or added scent, please clarify.) NO
Shape: (The shape of individual bedding pieces.) SMALL WOOD SHAVINGS
Colour: (The overall colour of the bedding.) TAN
Dust: (How dusty is this product new and after being used, as a total. 0-5)
5
Comfort: (Overall comfort for rats sleeping/walking on bedding. 0-5)
5
Odor Control: (How well does the bedding hold up to controlling odors, up to the day of cleaning. 0-5)
5
Longevity: (Is the bedding long lasting, or must it be changed more frequently then others? 0-5)
4 (1 to 2 times a week)
Tracking: (Do you often find the bedding around the floor of the cage, or through out your house, or little to no tracking. 0-5)
3
Absorbency: (General urine absorbency ability & absorbency against water spills, or leaky water bottles. 0-5)
5
Overall Safety: (Is this product safe in every way for rats? 0-5)
5
Cost Value: (Does product provide enough bedding for the cost of what you pay per package? 0-5)
5

Did not want to private e-mail. I am at work.

_________________
Tammy and the gang
Guys: Rufus, Raffles, Roo, Rugby, Ruger
At the bridge: Zorro and Rudy

Tue Jul 12, 2005 11:50 pm

Type: Aspen
Biodegradable: No
Flushable: No
Scented: Natural
Shape: Some come in square chips some are thin shredded
Colour: Yellow
Dust: 4
Comfort: 5
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 4
Tracking: 3
Absorbency: 4
Overall Safety: 4 (Can carry bugs)
Cost Value: 5
---------------------------------
Type: Hemp Bedding
Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable:
Scented: Natural, a bit strong I think but others can't smell it Shrug

Shape: Thin shredded
Colour: Yellow
Dust: 4
Comfort: 5
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 3.5
Tracking: 3
Absorbency: 4
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 4
-----------------------------
Type: Kaytee Soft-Sorbent (recycled paper)
Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: Sure
Scented: No
Shape: Small balls
Colour: Grayish
Dust: 1
Comfort: 5
Odor Control: 5
Longevity: 5
Tracking: 2
Absorbency: 5
Overall Safety: 3 (Great except for being insanely dusty Sad

)
Cost Value: 5

_________________
--;[Dannie/]
Ratties: Kina, Cessi, Nerissa and Dare

Wed Jul 13, 2005 1:56 am

Thanks so much you two, keep em coming! =)

_________________
"If you won't rescue, don't breed"

Wed Jul 13, 2005 8:23 am

Type: Cell-Sorb Plus
Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: Yes
Scented: No
Shape: paper pelet
Colour: Grey
Dust: 5
Comfort: 4
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 4
Tracking: 5
Absorbency: 4
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 3

Type: Yesterdays News
Biodegradable: n/a
Flushable: Yes
Scented: No
Shape: paper pelet
Colour: Grey
Dust: 4
Comfort: 3.5
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 4
Tracking: 5
Absorbency: 4
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 5

_________________
Rosie

* * *

I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Sat Jul 16, 2005 6:55 am

Type: Yesterday's News (recycled paper bedding)
Biodegradable: yes
Flushable: Apparently, yes. I have never been in a position to flush it, however.
Scented: I buy unscented so as not to irritate anyone's lungs.
Shape: thin, short tubes (paper pellets).
Colour: grey
Dust: 4.5 (not dusty at all)
Comfort: 3.5
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 5
Tracking: No tracking. Unless Lenore decides to put some on her head and come out of the cage with it.
Absorbency: 4.5
Overall Safety: 4.5 I suppose some rats would eat more of it than they should initially if you were to do a bedding switch.
Cost Value: 5, for sure. It controls odor much more effectively than CareFresh and costs less, too.

_________________
Cera (Sarah) and The Girlies:
Grace and Lenore

Sat Jul 16, 2005 1:08 pm

Type: Aspen

Biodegradable: Well, it's wood, so compostable at least
Flushable: ?
Scented: Natural
Shape: chips or shredded, though shredded is softest
Colour: hay/natural
Dust: 4
Comfort: 4
Odor Control: 3
Longevity: 3
Tracking: 5
Absorbency: 2
Overall Safety: 4
Cost Value: 5
---------------------------------
Type: LifeMate Hemp Bedding

Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: ?
Scented: Natural, sort of like aspen but sweeter
Shape: shredded
Colour: hay/natural
Dust: 4
Comfort: 5
Odor Control: 3
Longevity: 3
Tracking: 4
Absorbency: 3
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 4
-----------------------------
Type: Kaytee Small Animal Cage Litter Yuck

Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: ?
Scented: No
Shape: small beads
Colour: Grey
Dust: 0 The MOST DUSTY stuff on the planet, they should ban sellng it
Comfort: 1 (kinda stiff)
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 3
Tracking: 0 (gets everywhere)
Absorbency: 3
Overall Safety: 0 Never buy it, worst stuff ever!
Cost Value: 4
-----------------------------
Type: CareFresh Ultra :royalty:
Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: Yes
Scented: No
Shape: little fluffy clouds
Colour: white
Dust: 5
Comfort: 5+ (so soft!)
Odor Control: 4
Longevity: 5
Tracking: 5
Absorbency: 4
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 2.5 (but worth every penny)
-----------------------------
Type: Small Pet ECO-Bedding :royalty: (But only good for bedding -- actually, great for bedding -- NOT litter.)
Biodegradable: Yes
Flushable: ?
Scented: No
Shape: tiny crinkled paper thingies
Colour: paper bag
Dust: 5
Comfort: 5
Odor Control: 2
Longevity: 5
Tracking: 2
Absorbency: 1
Overall Safety: 5
Cost Value: 5+

_________________
Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Tue Jul 26, 2005 6:47 am

On another website, I read that ground walnut shells are good to use in litter boxes. I was wondering if this is true, or if it had the same problems that clay cat litter has?

_________________
Rosie

* * *

I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Tue Jul 26, 2005 7:02 am

Well I don't think walnut shells would clump, like clay cat litters. That's the main problem with those - if the rat consumes some, and it clumps in their insides, it could cause an obstruction. But other than that, I've not really got any real info on it.

Edit: Debbie "The Rat Lady" Ducommun reckons that it's ok to use, if a bit messy, in her article on the dangers of pine and cedar shavings. Shrug

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Tue Jul 26, 2005 9:37 am

All right. I am not gonna use them until I can find someone who knows for sure about them. I can always use something else in litter boxes.

I checked out that article, and but I think I will still wait.

_________________
Rosie

* * *

I miss you Tut, Goldy, and Raoul Angel rat

Tue Aug 02, 2005 6:50 am

I 3was wonderin if i could use cat litter for my rats bedding. if i can it would be alot easier and cheaper because all i would have to do is take out the clumps and add a little more. thanks lots!!!!

mE

Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:12 am

You can use some cat litters, but I'm not sure about clumping litter. I know some people use paper based litter, but not clay based.

_________________

Tue Aug 02, 2005 7:14 am

Don't use clumping litter, if a rat happens to ingest any it can cause problems. Also, some litters are dusty, and the scented types can irritate ratty sinuses. I'm sure there are some out there that are safe, just be sure to thoroughly check it out first.

_________________
--Brittany

"He who breaks a thing to find out what it is, has left the path of wisdom."

Tue Aug 02, 2005 8:20 am

No - clumping cat litter is a no-no because it can cause a blockage in their guts if they eat it.

Take a look at the sticky on litters for some good ideas on suitable litters you can use with them.

_________________
Andy & The Rats

~ Darwin ~ Maisie ~ Ella ~ Zak ~

~ Finn ~ Malachi ~ Azrael ~ Newton ~ Charlie ~

Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:26 pm

Just a question, could I use the Yesterday's News cat litter instead of the small animal bedding? The bedding is 15.00 for 20 lbs. and the litter is 11.00 for 30lbs.

_________________

Tue Aug 02, 2005 11:54 pm

Read back through this sticky thread, there is plenty of info on Yesterday's News.

_________________
Kate & the M.O.U.S.
If you saw a man drowning and you could either save him or photograph the event ... what kind of film would you use?
~ Anonymous

Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:03 pm

After a few attempts at finding a not so dusty bedding that will stop causing respiratory problem flare-ups, I've decided to give Yesterday's News a try. I've heard quite a few people recommend it on this site, but say that it is a bit hard for the footsies. Would paper towel be safe to throw in there (as a "soft" material)? Could I let my rat shred it up or should I? He seems to like ripping apart toilet paper rolls and putting them in his bedding space.
And also, should I transition to the new bedding by mixing the current (carefresh ultra) with the new?

Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:08 pm

I don't think you'd need a transition period unless your rats are insanely picky. I switched my girls from Aspen to Yesterday's News no problem.

I use paper towel in the girls' houses/sleeping spots because it's easier for me to change and, I don't think, smells nearly as rank as cloth when peed on. Shrug

I just stick a couple sheets in various spots on the cage and let the girls go searching. Usually one will pull the paper towel through one bar and another rattie will pull through another. LOL

Eventually one gives up and the other runs away with the prize for her nestbox.

_________________
--;[Dannie/]
Ratties: Kina, Cessi, Nerissa and Dare

Tue Aug 09, 2005 8:37 pm

Cool. I'll try it. My only concern was if switching over suddenly would make his current upper respitory tract infection more irritated. But if it is supposedly less dusty . . . ?

Tue Aug 09, 2005 9:01 pm

A litter change shouldn't stress him that much. wink

	Quote:
	But if it is supposedly less dusty

It's definately better than most litters I've used available for small animals.

_________________
--;[Dannie/]
Ratties: Kina, Cessi, Nerissa and Dare