Post by adara on Jan 25, 2004 19:51:59 GMT -4
Just thought I'd tell people about this product as I've found it to be the solution to my nightmares.
I've heard of people using it as litter for rats already so I thought I'd give it a go. As everyone [should] knows, pine and cedar shavings are bad for rats [and other rodents, but rats are particularly prone to liver disease and respiratory disease].
As aspen isn't widely available in the UK I have been desperately trying to find something that is always available to me, yet not extremely expensive and actually does what it's supposed to [absorbs moisture and holds the smell].
What have I tried? Lets see. I started off with newspaper. Now this is good because it's widely available, and can even be free, and it is hypoallergenic and dust free. Unfortunately it doesn't absorb very much and I would say it makes the smell worse.
I've also tried Russel Rabbit bedding, which is very soft, chopped straw. This was fairly good, it was nice and cheap and available everywhere. It smells good, but is a little dusty and doesn't absorb moisture too well.
I also managed to get hold of some Carefresh a couple of times. Unfortunately this isn't widely available in the UK, and when it is it's usually expensive . It was a little dusty but not so much it affected my ratties, and absorbed moisture well. I think I would choose this if it was widely available.
So, I've been using newspaper for a month or so now. Having to clean out 2 big cages every other day is no fun, but I couldn't let them live in stinky conditions.
Anyway, I bought a trial size bag of Bio Catolet, which is sold as cat litter. It's made from recycled paper and it actually is dust free! It holds moisture well, keeps the smell minimal and isn't messy or expensive, and it's widely available
Hoorah
I shall be using this from now on. I think it would also be suitable for hamsters, mice and rabbits [not gerbs seeing as they like to dig and don't smell at all anyway].
I'lll stop rambling now, but yes, I give Bio Catolet thumbs up
I've heard of people using it as litter for rats already so I thought I'd give it a go. As everyone [should] knows, pine and cedar shavings are bad for rats [and other rodents, but rats are particularly prone to liver disease and respiratory disease].
As aspen isn't widely available in the UK I have been desperately trying to find something that is always available to me, yet not extremely expensive and actually does what it's supposed to [absorbs moisture and holds the smell].
What have I tried? Lets see. I started off with newspaper. Now this is good because it's widely available, and can even be free, and it is hypoallergenic and dust free. Unfortunately it doesn't absorb very much and I would say it makes the smell worse.
I've also tried Russel Rabbit bedding, which is very soft, chopped straw. This was fairly good, it was nice and cheap and available everywhere. It smells good, but is a little dusty and doesn't absorb moisture too well.
I also managed to get hold of some Carefresh a couple of times. Unfortunately this isn't widely available in the UK, and when it is it's usually expensive . It was a little dusty but not so much it affected my ratties, and absorbed moisture well. I think I would choose this if it was widely available.
So, I've been using newspaper for a month or so now. Having to clean out 2 big cages every other day is no fun, but I couldn't let them live in stinky conditions.
Anyway, I bought a trial size bag of Bio Catolet, which is sold as cat litter. It's made from recycled paper and it actually is dust free! It holds moisture well, keeps the smell minimal and isn't messy or expensive, and it's widely available
Hoorah
I shall be using this from now on. I think it would also be suitable for hamsters, mice and rabbits [not gerbs seeing as they like to dig and don't smell at all anyway].I'lll stop rambling now, but yes, I give Bio Catolet thumbs up