|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 6, 2009 14:31:49 GMT -4
I know this applies to rats, and respiratory sensitivities aside, this is probably not good for other rodents living, playing and sleeping on litter/bedding... It's been drawn to members' attention on other groups that a breeder in the US is promoting those scented baking soda carpet fresheners as a way to reduce smell in a rat cage.   People are understandably up in arms about such advice -- even plain baking soda will be an airborne particulate with animals moving through it which is bad enough, but then toss into the mix the chemicals that are used to scent the product. The person who posted originally had, at some time in the past, adopted from this person, and ended up with rats with chronic respiratory conditions, one dying shortly after adoption. I gather from her post that when she first adopted she had noted and posted that there seemed to be a powder in with the rats when she brought them home. Needless to say, with proper cage maintenance there no reason to have to use a scented product to mask any odour -- as there would be none/very little! I used to use that stuff from time to time on my carpets. It NEVER makes the carpets smell "naturaly cleanl", it always a sickly strong, UNnatural scent. I gave up on that as well as plain BS because *I* developed respiratory problems. This place has no carpets (thank goodness) and I never felt so good!! |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 6, 2009 21:02:22 GMT -4
Masking stuff is stupid.
Is there any proof or evidence about the alleged dangers of baking soda?
There are many things for odor: Ammo Litter in the bedding, drops for the water (Bi-Odor, I think they call it), and a spray for the tank by Petrotech (I forget the name). Ever use those?
The smell never bothered me. One woman rescued a lone male mouse and could not keep him supposedly due to the smell. So I got Lil Bit, whose story has been posted and even published in a magazine (also up here on RR).
|
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 6, 2009 21:14:11 GMT -4
Is there any proof or evidence about the alleged dangers of baking soda? In this case it's more about the fact that it easily becomes an airborne powder. Saner voices (like yours) demand hard facts, and in fact someone on another group is presenting the info/ingredients to a vet for study, and also a scientist (sorry, can't remember the specialty). There are many things for odor: Ammo Litter in the bedding, drops for the water (Bi-Odor, I think they call it), and a spray for the tank by Petrotech (I forget the name). Ever use those? Nope, never had an odour problem. Ok, I lie... there was a wooden dowel in the cage that they loved to pee on. There is no super reliable way that I've found to get smell out of wood, so I would just chuck it out when it would get stinky (every several months) and get a new one. |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 6, 2009 21:22:42 GMT -4
I could ask my vet, but a question this esoteric she may not know the answer to.  The smell I notice most is the big finch cage, actually.  |
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 7, 2009 11:15:18 GMT -4
I'm just saw on another group that BS is POISONOUS to rats. I don't have time to read it, but will do so when I get back. Just wanted to add....BS is large doses must be bad for people, too (besides the sodium content)....a trick to focusing vomiting of certain toxic substances that have been ingested, is to mix some (can't remember how much) BS into water, and have the patient drink it! ===================== Ok, to follow up... The person who went after this info came up with some interesting stuff. Happily the breeder has removed the BS from her website!  :
>i found out because of this thread (carpet fresh) that baking soda >is actually poisonous to rats and was used as a homemade >rat/mouse killer---i'll post some links that were given. so this was >a good learning experience and ---the product has been removed >from the site along with it's directions on how she used it.
>
> Instructions for homemade rat poison.
>
> www.ehow.com/how_4793595_homemade-rat-poison.html
>
>
> The LD50 listing for rats oral ingestion of baking soda.
>
> chemlabs.uoregon.edu/Safety/toxicity.html
>
>
> Explains the LD50 numbers and labels rats oral ingestion of baking soda as moderately poisonous. It is about halfway down the page.
>
> www.polywater.com/teletop3.html
>
>
> On page 2 it states that 1 to 2 tablespoons is safe for a humans. Rats and mice are MUCH smaller then we are.
>
> www.hescoinc.com/Msds/ah84114.pdf
>
> so the bottom line---don't use baking soda products in the cage or where they can access it. |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 7, 2009 19:48:24 GMT -4
>> I'm just saw on another group that BS is POISONOUS to rats. <<  A few tablespoons mixed in the bedding will not be eaten. It is only an issue if consumed in large amounts. In the past, mine have never been harmed. Also, "BS" from politicians is also not good. ;D www.ratpalace.com/phpBB2/baking-soda-t14305.html |
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 7, 2009 21:08:31 GMT -4
A few tablespoons mixed in the bedding will not be eaten. Quite likely not. My *own* concern with this issues was that it would be inhaled. I wonder if rats would be tempted to dab it up if the saltiness appealed to them ? |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 7, 2009 21:34:03 GMT -4
It's salty? Sort of alkaline.
It is definitely not "poisonous" if inhaled. the concern with eating large amounts deals with GI issues, and not being able to pass gas!
A few tablespoons thoroughly mixed in bedding they would be hard pressed to find.
|
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 7, 2009 22:34:41 GMT -4
It's salty? Sort of alkaline. It is definitely not "poisonous" if inhaled. the concern with eating large amounts deals with GI issues, and not being able to pass gas! No, not from breathing,, but they have such darned sensitive respiratory systems I'd worry more about them inhaling it, than eating it. I used to brush my teeth with it. I always thought it a bit salty. Then I ran into elevated blood pressure and it was advised that I discontinue that ;D |
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 7, 2009 23:13:42 GMT -4
Before toothpaste baking soda was commonly used for teeth. Ralph Nader still uses it! I guess it is kind of salty, I suppose.
If rats' respiratory systems are so sensitive I would think there would be more to worry about with regular (dusty) Carefresh! Which I do not use.
|
|
|
|
Post by adoptaratcanada on May 8, 2009 0:24:26 GMT -4
Well, you know me...worry, worry, worry ;D
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on May 8, 2009 1:58:39 GMT -4
I was worrying a lot the last day or so, why I seemed distracted. Don't have to worry now - Poppy passed away. See Memorial forum.
|
|
chelsii
Rodent Retreat Newbie
Posts: 6
|
Post by chelsii on Feb 11, 2010 7:34:15 GMT -4
we had a rat before that we put on carefresh (that's the gray bedding right?) and she sneezed a lot from it. she stopped after we gave her aspen bedding instead.
|
|
|
|
Post by Die Fledermaus on Feb 11, 2010 21:58:51 GMT -4
Regular Carefresh is dusty. Carefresh Ultra is not.
The former is also too clumpy for me.
|
|
A few tablespoons mixed in the bedding will not be eaten. It is only an issue if consumed in large amounts. In the past, mine have never been harmed.