rats are pretty good at cleaning themselves up as long a their environment is clean. But if he is really soiled, a bath in water with a soap used for ferrets (helps keep the natural oils of the skin and fur from being stripped away) or a mild soap can be used. But dry them off well, afterwards.

Pine isn't the best for rodents because of the oils and toxins in the wood itself. Though kiln dried pine isn't as bad as cedar (cedar is definitely no to use as a substrate) pine still irritates rodents.

There are plenty of safe beddings for rodents out now, Carefresh is one, then there is aspen shavings or other hard wood shavings, various paper products (Yesterday's News, often sold as kitty litter), wood pellets etc.

Aspen shavings are probably the best bedding, mixed with Carefresh it works quite well too.
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PHLdyPayne

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