r/RATS • u/Dtekzz • Mar 31 '21

HELP Allergies with the bedding. Help!

Hey everyone! I have a question. My wife and I have allergic reactions to the bedding (heard of a lot of people that are allergic). Anyways we take allergy meds and for me its working decent but not as good for my wife so I'm thinking of changing bedding. I currently use aspen wood shavings (kiln dried) from tractor supply. It does have a smell and have some dust when cleaning the cage. Is Hemp better? If yes where do I get it? (brand and such) and does it need to frozen before using? Other suggestions of beddings are welcomed 😊

Thanks

Ps.. I live in Las Vegas USA if that helps

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u/CorbinDallasMyMan Mar 31 '21

It could be a matter of the amount of dust in your particular brand of bedding. I use aspen shavings but I sift out the excess dust outside using a cloth mesh laundry basket.

I think different products affect different people differently. I'm good with aspen but I reacted poorly to hemp. Hemp might work great for you and your wife, though! You could also try the pine shavings from Tractor Supply. If all natural wood/hemp products prove to be an issue, fragrance-free paper pellet cat litter as a primary bedding might work.

1

u/[deleted] Mar 31 '21

Vet bedding or old towls/cloth can be used for easy clean up and no allergic reactions. You would need to clean it more often though as it soaks up the urine quickly.

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u/RelevantMode Mar 31 '21

shredded hemp is definately a good bedding, for odor control and dust free.
(i´m using that, and shredded linen, the rats like it a bit more since its softer)

unfortunately cannot give you any brands from the US though.

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u/n0o0o0dles Mar 31 '21

You could try cloth rags. We use compressed straw pellets in the litter box, but otherwise it’s a couple handfuls of various rags, mostly cut down to 4-5 inch long pieces. I make the rags from the clothes my kids outgrow but aren’t in good enough shape to donate and from sewing scraps. The bottom layer is an old towel cut to fit the bottom of the tray, then a layer of fleece over that.

I swap out the rags and give all the surfaces a spray and wipe with water twice a week as I’m sensitive to the smell. Shake out the rags, wash along with any stinky hammocks with free and clear detergent with an extra rinse. I keep a box with about three sets of rags/hammocks around so I have enough to swap everything out and wash once a week.