Choosing the right bedding for your rats is vital for their overall health and longevity. As a responsible breeder, I emphasize the significance of meeting your rats' needs through proper bedding selection. Not only does it impact their comfort, but it also plays a crucial role in preventing potential health issues. These are based on USA standards since I am AFRMA registered!
Aspen/Pine:
-Kiln-Dried Aspen:
This type of bedding is highly recommended due to its natural odor and ammonia control. It is available in flake form. It can be replaced roughly every 5-14 days depending on floor space, litter training, depth of bedding, number of rats. It can be bought in bulk for $17 at Tractor Supply Company, and cheaper at Walmart. I prefer to buy from TSC as I trust them to keep wild rodents with parasites out of their warehouses since they are a feed store. Some TSC keep their bedding outside however, go in person and verify it’s stored indoors to ensure no rodent contamination. Some sources of Aspen and occasionally the bottom of the bag may be dusty, make sure to get a dust-free brand, or sift out the dust before placing it in the cage. If your rats seem irritated by Aspen opt for Kiln-dried pine, hemp or Bioactive. Aspen creates a weird smell to me personally, so I switched to Kiln-dried pine.
-Kiln-Dried Pine:
Pine when not kiln-dried releases phenols which are toxic to rats. The long term effects include liver and kidney damage, depressed immune system and respiratory illnesses. The kiln-drying process destroys around 97% of these phenols. Recent studies have shown that pine is safe when kiln-dried, and in the US, all animal pine bedding is kiln-dried. Kiln-dried pine has natural odor and ammonia control, and is very cheap to purchase. Like Aspen, make sure it is dust-free. If you are not comfortable with the validity of the kiln-drying process as it may not destroy 100% of phenols, I encourage you to do your own research and decide for yourself what is best. Aspen and hemp are safer choices than pine if you are worried about phenols.
Paper Bedding:
(Care Fresh, Clean & Cozy, ect.)
While paper bedding is highly absorbent, it has poor ammonia and odor control. Because of this, it needs to be changed more frequently than other types. In a study comparing various beddings, Carefresh scored poorly because the ammonia level in the cage reached dangerous levels (in poorly ventilated cages). Ammonia comes from the breakdown of urine and causes respiratory issues such as Mycoplasma flare ups, lung scarring, and other upper respiratory infections. Severe cases can lead to pneumonia and death. Paper bedding is also dusty which is another irritant to rats’ respiratory systems. Rats have a better sense of smell than humans. If you can smell rat waste, it is significantly stronger to your rats.
(Smith et al., "Evaluation of cage microenvironment of mice housed on various types of bedding materials" American Association for Laboratory Animal Science, 2004).
Paper, since it’s not kiln dried like aspen/pine, harbors mites when stored in warehouses or pet stores that sell live rodents. Mites are an external parasite that are most common to rats and are microscopic so you will not know you have an infestation until it is too late. Avoid paper bedding because of this, or freeze it for 24-48 hours before introducing it to any pets.
Paper has zero ammonia control it’s only benefit is absorbency, environmentally friendly, and comfort. Because of its inability to control odor, you need to change it every 2-3 days. Ensure the cage is well-ventilated such as a full wire bar cage on 5 sides (not the floors), deep bedding at least 3 inches, and each rat has over 2.5 square feet of space. Ammonia and dust cause respiratory disease flareups so it’s no longer the recommended bedding.
-Paper Pellets:
While paper is a poor choice for main bedding since rats cannot dig in it, paper pellets are great in litter boxes since litter boxes get changed 2-7 times a week depending on size of mischief. Rats typically like to go on substrates different to the main bedding which is why paper is a popular choice for litter boxes. Make sure it is dust-free and baking soda free. Never use clay or clumping litter in litter boxes.
Fleece/Mats:
Fleece, mats, or any fabric is not suitable as the only bedding. Ammonia levels become dangerous when fleece or mats are not washed at the required intervals which is why it’s not the best choice for main bedding. If the main floor is safe substrate such as aspen/hemp/Bioactive, it is okay to offer fleece shelves, hammocks, or fleece-lined baskets as rats love to sleep on it. Just remember to switch all fleece out every 2-3 days.
Urine tends to sit on top of fleece or pool underneath and take a long time to dry so urine can transfer to your rats. Offering a secondary absorbent layer underneath the fleece helps with this. Under fleece lined baskets I put folded newspaper and change it daily. U-Haul furniture pads can also be used as a secondary layer under fleece. Another reason I don’t recommend fleece for the whole cage is liners can be expensive, and rats since they are fossorial (like to burrow and dig), will tear holes in the fleece and it needs frequent replacing! Typically younger rats are more destructive, but fleece is particularly suitable for senior rats, as it is soft, environmentally friendly, and rats become less destructive as they age. Just remember to wash it frequently along with hammocks every 2-3 days. The more fleece items you have, the more your regular clothes will smell like rat urine unless you have a separate washing machine or hand wash. Fleece can’t be washed with scented detergent or dryer sheets only use vinegar and unscented detergent. Hang dry or low heat with unscented wool balls.
If you opt for fleece for main bedding you should provide a dig box with either bioactive moist coco soil, shredded paper, hemp, kiln-dried pine, or kiln-dried aspen to satisfy a rat’s instinct to burrow. Remember that paper needs to be replaced every couple days if they are using it as a place to potty.
Since fleece is stretchy, chewed holes can allow rats can escape, where rats can get their heads stuck in holes made in towels or other fabrics.
Towels, Old Clothes, ECT. :
Rats can get their heads stuck in holes they make in these fabrics and die. Nails also get stuck in the tiny loops of towels and it’s frustrating to them and can cause sprains if they get stuck. Opt for fleece for fabric options.
Hemp:
Hemp bedding offers excellent odor control and is dust-free. It is highly absorbent, antibacterial, hypoallergenic, and environmentally friendly. However, it is pricey and challenging to find. People/rats sensitive to aspen bedding should opt to use hemp as an alternative. Some brands are must dust-free than others.
Bioactive:
Bioactive cages are pricey to acquire but are great long term as they are self cleaning. It is the most natural as it mimics rats’ natural environment. They offer great odor and ammonia control. Some people report a gnat issue if rats eat grains on the dirt. Some people report that their rats eat all the isopods and need frequent replacing. The setup requires a deep base pan such as a DIY watertight acrylic base. You can plant rat safe plants and wood in the soil for added enrichment.
Corncob:
Corncob bedding molds quickly and poses a choking hazard to rats. It's not a recommended option due to its limited effectiveness and safety concerns. Corn when wet produces a strain of mold that is toxic to rats.
Cedar:
Cedar bedding should be avoided altogether due to its high phenol levels, which are harmful to rats. Unlike pine, the kiln-drying process does not make it safe, making cedar unsuitable for rat bedding.
Bare Shelves, Wire Flooring:
Bare shelves and ramps do nothing for urine or ammonia and poos will get stepped on and smeared. They need to be wiped down twice a day but I recommend removing them entirely and replacing with more enriching climbing options. Small shelves like lava ledges or chinchilla ledges used as perches or stepping blocks are fine but need to be soaked and deep cleaned every 1-3 weeks. Wire flooring and ramps are dangerous for rats' feet and should always be covered.
Considerations
When selecting bedding for your rats, consider factors such as absorbency, odor control, safety, and instincts to dig. It's essential to prioritize their health and well-being by choosing bedding options that meet their needs without posing any risks. Additionally, ensure proper maintenance of the bedding and habitat to prevent health issues. If you can smell ammonia or poo, it is a lot stronger of a smell to your rats and needs to be replaced or spot cleaned more frequently. Some people opt for a mix of bedding such as paper and aspen which offers the comfort of paper but the ammonia control of aspen. Feel free to play around with different types to see what works best for your rats.
-Note: switching bedding types, or any change in environment, can trigger sneezes in rats. If the sneezing persists for more than 14 days, or other symptoms are evident (strange noises when breathing, excess porphrin, acting sickly/tired), then it is more than new environment sneezes. These are indications of a respiratory infection and you should see a vet.
Along with choosing proper bedding types, it's also essential to ensure there is proper ventilation such as a wite cage instead of an aquarium, and add an air purifier to your room if needed. Buying food that reduces the ammonia in urine such as the brand Mazuri or Oxbow Essentials, litter training your rats, and maintaining a regular cleaning schedule are all tips to reduce odors and health complications from rat waste.
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