Rat litter (cage bedding): comparison table

Ensuring cleanliness in the cage is the problem of all rodent owners. It is difficult to determine which litter is best for rats.

They are:

• woody;
• vegetable;
• paper;
• inorganic.

Wood litter for rats

To this kind rat cage filler include chips, sawdust, wood chips and pressed woodworking waste – granules.

It is important to remember: coniferous filler for decorative rats is contraindicated – it causes allergies.

Shavings

Pour rodents only shavings of deciduous trees. In order not to provoke a pet to sneeze, it should not be small and dusty.

sawdust for rats

You can use sawdust for a domestic rat if there is a false bottom in the cage so that the rodent does not directly come into contact with them. Small particles and dust cause inflammation of the mucous membranes, sneezing and general malaise.

Wood chips

Hardwood chips are the best option among wood fillers. It does not produce dust, does not cause allergies, and is not traumatic for a rodent.

However, older and heavy individuals, predisposed to pododermatitis, experience discomfort.

Pressed wood pellets

They have high hygroscopicity – this is a big plus. But when wet, they turn into dust, irritating the mucous membrane of the animal. Stepping on dry granules, the pet is injured.

Vegetable fillers

This includes: hay, cotton, flax and corn litter, hemp mulch and grass pellets.

Hay

Dry grass does not absorb moisture well, it is traumatic for the eyes of the animal. Dust on it causes inflammation of the mucous membranes of the eyes and nose. Parasite eggs in hay can be a health problem for your pet.

Cotton filler

It is not traumatic, hygroscopic, non-toxic, although sometimes it causes allergies.

Flax pellets and campfire

This filler is hygroscopic and retains the smell inside, although wet pellets turn into dust and dust, and in solid form they are traumatic.

There are sharp stalks in the fire, which can cause injury to the rodent. Increased dustiness provokes rhinitis. But here the manufacturer plays a role.

What filler is best for little rats

Corn litter for rats is crushed corn rods. It happens:

• fine fraction;
• large fraction;
• granulated.

If the rat breeder is thinking about how to replace sawdust, the option of a fine fraction corn filler will be optimal.

The filler of large fraction allocates less dust, than fine. It does not injure the skin of pets, so it is best suited.

herbal granules

They are hypoallergenic, hygroscopic, but, like all granules, turn into porridge when wet. This contributes to pododermatitis and the occurrence of respiratory diseases.

hemp fire

It is not allergic and safe, does not adversely affect the mucous membrane of rodents. Its disadvantage is the inaccessibility in our country. You can replace the fire with garden mulch.

Paper fillers

Here they distinguish:

• newspapers and magazines;
• office paper;
• cellulose;
• paper towels (napkins).

Газеты

Printed products in rat cages are contraindicated – printing ink is harmful to animals.

Office paper

Clean office paper has low hygroscopicity and does not retain odor. The edges of the sheets hurt the paws of the animals. But rats need office paper torn in long strips to build nests.

Cellulose

Cellulose granules do not rattle, do not injure animals, are hygroscopic. But they are difficult to cover exactly the entire surface of the floor. Cellulose filler is recommended to be used in addition to another, pouring a second layer.

Paper bedding for rats (napkins, towels)

The disadvantages of napkins and towels are fragility, low hygroscopicity, inability to retain odor. Because of this, the cage needs to be cleaned two to three times a day. But the wipes are hypoallergenic, perfect for lactating females and small rats.

Inorganic fillers

These include disposable diapers and silica gel (mineral) fillers.

Disposable diapers

They are firmly fixed on the shelves and floor of the cage, then it will be clean and dry there. Do not use bedding for rats in cages where animals like to gnaw on bedding: small particles of material clog the respiratory tract of animals.

Silica gel and mineral fillers

They are used in cages with a false bottom height of at least 5 cm. Ingestion of silica gel into the esophagus leads to the death of the animal.

Comparison table of fillers for rats