Takuraktty
Well-known member
What does everyone prefer for bedding? I know that there are numerous choices, wood shavings, paper which is commercially available and more. What does everyone use and prefer?
Best bedding
- Thread starter Takuraktty
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Ash
Trouble....
Most people here use and prefer aspen or pine bedding. It's cheap, absorbent, and works well, and keeps their already minimal odor down.
toxxxic.kitten
Well-known member
I use both Carefresh & pine bedding. I just recently switched over to Pine because I have a big bag I had left over from when I bred rats/mice. I had used Carefresh when my Chinnies were at my boyfriend's apartment because it seemed to be less messy than Pine shavings.
pinkpiggy1989
'No they're not bunnies'
I like fleece. Its a lot cheaper than constantly buying bedding, just shake them out, toss them in the wash, and re-use! And there's less mess because the bedding doesn't go flying out when the furbutts decide to party like a rock star and fling everything out! Plus I think it just looks nicer with cute fun designs! 
I have fleece liners, which i like. I can sweep up the poop every other day, and wash them as well, so it is important to have a few sets. then i have a pyrex dish in the corner filled with pine shavings, where he uses the bathroom.
SarahKay
Mother of Zeb and Roo
I use aspen!
When I adopted Zeb, his previous owner told me to get aspen so I've had it since. It's a huge mess though and he really likes to kick it out of his cage so fleece almost sounds like a better bet.
When I adopted Zeb, his previous owner told me to get aspen so I've had it since. It's a huge mess though and he really likes to kick it out of his cage so fleece almost sounds like a better bet.
Takuraktty
Well-known member
Okay thanks! I think I might switch over to liners. I don't hav a sewing machine though, where can I buy liners for not too much? (Or I might set aside a weekend to do some hand-sewing It'll take forever but it'll be the right dimensions.))
Essentia
Jax Chinchilla Rescue
For me fleece liners work better than actual bedding.
starleomach
Dawnna's Keeper
I use pine. I tried fleece liners but with 100 chinchillas it just didn't work.
I got my liners from www.jenscustomcrafts.com
She made chinny friendly items for me. She has a slae on tomorrow...40% off your order...which is an awesome deal!!
pinkpiggy1989
'No they're not bunnies'
I dont have 'actual' liners. I have Ferret Nation pans and I get 3/4 of a yard of fleece and just lay it on top and wrap it under. Works just as good as a liner, in my opinion. For design fleece I pay about $5-6 per piece, but you can get plain colors for $3-4.
SarahKay
Mother of Zeb and Roo
Fleece doesn't fray so you don't need to sew. Just make sure it's super clean and get it to the right dimensions and you should be fine!
SarahKay
Mother of Zeb and Roo
Also, I've read that pine is toxic to all animals and that's why you should use aspen instead.
http://www.afrma.org/rminfo2.htm
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/blog/bid/6392/Chinchilla-Cage-Cleaning
Also saw it on a rescue site... I guess that nice fresh smell is actually pretty bad for your pets so cedar and pine are NOT safe but aspen's alright.
Can any more experienced owners verify this?
http://www.afrma.org/rminfo2.htm
http://www.chinchillaplace.com/blog/bid/6392/Chinchilla-Cage-Cleaning
Also saw it on a rescue site... I guess that nice fresh smell is actually pretty bad for your pets so cedar and pine are NOT safe but aspen's alright.
Can any more experienced owners verify this?
RDZCRanch
RavenousDeadlyZombieChins
Pine is an acceptable bedding as long as it is kiln dried. If it is not kiln dried, it is not safe. Cedar in any form is toxic and should never be used. KD pine actually does not have a strong pine scent to me and it works very well.
Kiln dried pine seems to be acceptable to most chin owners. However, I use aspen because the smell of even kiln dried pine affects my breathing.
rabit_115
Member
I've used Kiln Dried pine for years without any problems. I've never used Aspen, but isn't it really just a different species of pine tree? I guess I can't see how it would be much different.
Cuddlebug
Well-known member
Aspen is not a pine tree. It is a deciduous tree, meaning that it has leaves that drop every fall. Pine trees are evergreens. They have needles.
