What is the best bedding material to use for Rats?

we are coming into the winter season where i live and was wondering what was the best bedding material to use that is safe, absorbent and warm for my 3 rats?What is the best bedding material to use for Rats?
O my gosh i used to have 2 rats! Anyways i used Carefresh Ultra bedding and still do its a bit more expensive than regular carefresh but trust me its worth your money being less dusty and it absorbs odors better. The reason i liked it being less dusty is because rats are really prone to respitory problems. Good luck with your rats!What is the best bedding material to use for Rats?
Shredded paper, plain newspaper with wood based cat litter in the corners, paper based cat litter such as Biocatolet, aubiose or another brand of hemp bedding (commonly used for horses, google hemp bedding for suppliers where you are), Easibed, Aspen (the kind used for reptiles), or shredded cardboard are all choices, just avoid wood shavings. I use shredded cardboard with my rats and its great, keeps the smell down a treat, is absorbent and doesnt stick to clothing, also cost effective. Its commonly used for horse bedding now, again google it for suppliers where you are. Carefresh is a worldwide brand you can probably get it in Australia, but its VERY expensive, I'd try cat litter or shredded cardboard first.
Carefresh is a preferred choice for many small animals. Its is the warmest possible bedding next to a warmed towel :)


I personally used to use Kaytee* Softsorbent bedding, but switched to the Carefresh bedding, for the absorbent factor, with newspaper underneath. This bedding is very warm, very soft but very sturdy and absorbent. The way i look at it, is if I would nest in it, if I were an animal, then I get it for my 2 guys. Rats like to burrow and my 2 guys like to shred the newspaper on the bottom and make little dens for themselves.


Carefresh is free of inks, dyes, clay and chemicals used in the paper making process, so it is not paper but made of the same carbons. It is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that exist in pine, aspen and cedar oils.





**If you can not find this, just look for bedding made solely from material without dies, or processed in a factory that handles those harmful oils.





Aspen Shavings, Cedar Shavings, and Cat litter can cause breathing problems due to the dust factor in these products.


Shredded newspaper is a nice alternative but it does wilt when it gets wet and it doesn't stay fresh for long, collecting their waste.





Hope this helps you :) My 2 rats love this stuff and burrow in it daily.
Care fresh is like recycled wood pulp and newspaper. Its incredibly absorbant and keeps the smell down. The only downside to it is because it has the wood pulp in it it can harber mites and lice which is how my girls got it loads of times from the bedding but its one of the only good bedding that wont give the rats respitory infections. Another good bedding is called Soft Sorbant. With this you dont have to worry about the dust or the mites and lice in the bedding and its completly safe for pet rats. Are there any Petsmarts in your area? They sell both these brands. You can also order these brands online. Good luck and hope I helped
I find Carefresh absorbent but a bit whiffy (better than others though) warm and comfortable for my rats and its safe.





check online
If you can find carefresh it would be the best option. If not, use lots of fleece, shredded paper (that will need to be changed out every day), and boxes. Good luck!
personally i used straw and hay in a dark box
Can't go wrong with Carefresh Ultra! That is all i have ever used, i love it.
i like shredded paper with cedar chips
dead rats, they love it