Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I know it's bad to use colored newspaper as bedding, but I was wondering if anyone could tell me exactly why? I have a newspaper that is mostly black and white, but will have some colored pictures in it occasionally.. maybe 60% b&w and 40% color max.

Is the color bad for the mice/rats?

Is it bad for the alligator that eats these mice/rats?

Is it basically the same idea behind dyed dog food being bad?

Thanks everyone.

just guessing here cuz i've never attempted to breed mice/rats, but i think the problem is with the dyes they use in colored np. the black dye is found in a fairly low concentration and is thus less harmful if ingested. but the colored dyes used in pictures and ads are much more concentrated and can create problem for the feeders if ingested. i presume as with anything else, what your feeders injest, so will your pets.

may want to confirm with someone else...

beast

Actually, if I remember correctly, all dyes in newspapers are soy based and therefore harmless if ingested.. howerver the beef with dyed newspaper is more that the color rubs off on the animal's coats when it gets wet or soiled.
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Lucien

1.1 Columbian Redtail Boa (BCI)(Sutekh and Isis)
2.2 Leopard geckos (2 Blizzards (Caine and Goliath), 1 het Blizzard (Lilith) and 1 Tangerine Albino (Tequila Sunrise ...Tiki for short))
0.1 Savannah Monitor (Kiros)
13 rats
1 Gerbil
2 Dogs (Loki and Storm)
2 cats (Sahara and Hercules)

It realy doesnt matter if its black dye or red its all the same. I use normal newspaper for my anaconda which needs super high humidity with out and problems with color wearing off onto the snake or smearing around. It is all soy based coloring and totaly non-toxic (i checked). the only paper that is bad is the paper on which coupons are printed on, that real shinny stuff.---Eric---