“Not to mention using Carefresh as a substrate. Something many rodent keepers have stepped away from because it can cause respiratory issues, which is the exact same reason she sights not using Aspen. That much is at least true.”
not sure where anon got this from, because I searched online and the general consensus seems to be somewhat dusty and can smell bad, but not dangerous. It’s been recommended for rats, hamsters, and even rabbits from various sources(tumblr doesn’t let me link). You don’t have to publish this ask but it instantly confused me when they said this because I didn’t see anything against carefresh bedding when I was researching before getting my rats, seems like that’s still kinda accurate?
This is a long answer because I've gotten a lot of asks about it. I'll use colors to highlight parts of the response that are most relevant for people who skim. (Not sure what they are referencing about Aspen, I use it for an enrichment dig activity. At best they are misremembering.)
tl;dr- Carefresh is not a current known danger to dry snake species like hognoses. As always, I encourage you to do your own research and don't blindly believe anyone.
You'll likely see, as I have, a lot of sources that conflict with each other, and understanding the reasons behind them will ultimately help you make your own choices. At the end of the day your choices and actions create the future you and your pet will live.
If you have a snake other than hognose you need to research that species; hognoses are a drier species. While dirt CAN be great, and I think this is probably what hognoses prefer to burrow in, it can also lead to scale rot. Does that make it inherently bad? No. There's issues with Aspen too, readers can research that on their own. Ultimately, at the end of the day, it comes down to KEEPING THE ENCLOSURE CLEAN and regularly checking your pets to make sure they aren't having issues like scale rot or respiratory issues. What works for one could cause problems for another, what matters most is the health and safety of the creature living in the substrate. I use both in containers I regularly leave in my girls enclosure for enrichment. I also have three wet hides because this allows them to self regulate heat/moisture, and helps with shedding.
So far as Carefresh goes, researching issues with it back in 2015 they use to add baking soda to it which made a lot of small animals ill, from what I understand. They stopped doing that 10+ years ago. While I can understand some folks not wanting to use it again, it's insane for them to go after me for using it years after the issue was resolved. If you have beef with a product, talk to the manufacturer, try to get it banned with the proper agencies, or don't use it. Don't go after people who use it if they aren't causing harm and it isn't your personal choice. Folks who are attacking me for using "rodent bedding" are just being nasty. If the bedding works for small burrowing animals and I have a small burrowing animal the target market doesn't matter. I let them play with hamster and bird toys too because there isn't really a market for snake toys despite their love of playing. That's something I think need to change, honestly, along with a lot of things regarding snake welfare- but I digress.
Carefresh is glorified paper towel. People who say it stinks- go into your kitchen and smell your paper towel roll. Does it stink? If so, there is a bigger problem with your home. People who say it has mites, again, go to your kitchen and repeat the step above. Paper towel does not spawn mites- if there are mites in it that's an issue with the store where you bought it and storage in relation to poorly cared for animals or your house. Paper towel isn't natural like dirt? No, but neither is air conditioning, filtered water, frozen pinkie mice, vet care, or the other comforts humans have come up with. Does that make them bad? Just because something isn't natural doesn't make it inherently bad. Just because something is natural, like mold and poisonous mushrooms, doesn't make it inherently good either.
Some folks have cited that it doesn't control ammonia. Are these people letting their cat use their snake enclosure as a litter box then let it sit for days?
It quickly dries in a nice little clump I rarely ever see it tracked, which I figure keeps them safer from illness. If someone's substrate stinks it's from neglecting their pet and not cleaning the enclosure. Snakes don't do the do as often as hamsters and rodents do. If it stinks CLEAN YOUR ENCLOSURE.
Some folk also said it is dusty. I haven't had that issue, but I also have a heavy duty HEPA filter due to my own allergies. So if there were particles there wouldn't be for long.
So for now I stick with it as it keeps my girls clean, healthy, dry, and no issues like respiratory issues or scale rot. They have no issues tunneling in it and I like how it wicks moisture and clumps unlike aspen that just sort of stays a wet spot mess. But I'm not a vet, so what does my opinion or research matter?
Vets are known for telling people to keep unwell snakes on paper towel (so mites can be seen and samples collected for testing) so if paper towel were inherently harmful they would not do this.
Speaking of vets?
Here's one that recommends using Carefresh for reptiles and snakes: https://waltongwinnett.vet/exotic-pet-care/
and another: https://wpvet.com/exotic-pets-care-guides/corn-and-rat-snakes/
and another! https://wildwoodvet.com/animal-care-sheet/ball-python-care/
I think I've done more than a reasonable amount of research to ensure I'm not doing something harmful to my pets, and I'm far from the only person using Carefresh for my snakes.
It’s Earff Day, and eberyone knows how important the earff is, and how we hab to protect it, right? So does carefresh – their bedding is good for the earff, and they are helping animal rescues and small animal adopters too! Read on below and nominate your faborite small animal rescue to be one ob the next monff’s recipients! And don’t forget – be nice to the earff today… and eberyday!!
Dis Cosmo wiff a public serbice announcement. The earff is berry important, as we all know, and we hab too much waste. We hab to take care ob it!
Did you know, ebery year, carefresh diverts millions of pounds of wood, pulp and paper remnants from landfills to make Carefresh Eco-friendly bedding: it’s natural, biodegradable, compostable paper. It is made from scratch with pillowy soft, ultra…
Poor guy wasn't too happy about me cleaning his cage, kind of a rough wake up. At least he found new treats and pretty bedding! . . . #hamsters #hamstersofinstagram #hamstermom #carefresh #carefreshbedding https://www.instagram.com/p/BnzmEmnnpuc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1ty6c2q4jp61l
