Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Hi. I have been using furnace/heater pellets as my rodent substrate. The advantage is that it drastically reduces the odor problem. My question is : does anyone here have any input on it as far as health issues? Please, only responses from people who actually use it for their rodent breeding colonies. Not that others may have something significant to offer, but I want to stay away from hearsay and theories please. Thanks!

Definitely would not be a problem if using pellets made from virgin wood pulp material. However, you should check the contents as you do not want to use any pellets that are made from recycled wood products. These could contain binders, glues, chemicals, etc.

Kelly

I use wood stove pellets for my PET rats, and a bunch of people do, so it is definitely safe! Just make sure you get hardwood stove pellets, or they could contain the phenols.

why not use pine pellets? i get them from my local tractor supply store. they are much cheaper than wood stove pellets, at least here in the cold north east...
adam jeffery
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" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.

Pine and cedar are bad for rodents.

http://www.ratfanclub.org/litters.html

pine is just fine for rodents that are going to feed my snakes!!!
adam jeffery
-----
" a.k.a. farfrumugen "
When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car.