Acceptable Aspen Brands?

[maxfox426]

I know that many of you recommend the Kaytee brand aspen bedding... however, they don't seem to carry it at Petco or Petsmart around here anymore. The only Kaytee bedding they seem to have nowadays is the "Total Comfort" stuff... and I don't like the looks of that!

I seem to recall reading somewhere on here to avoid the Petco brand aspen, though I do not remember why... nor can I find the post again.

Long story short, what other brands of small-pet aspen are considered safe? Or better yet, which brands should I completely avoid?

Petsmart carries a brand called "Premier Pet"... is that alright?


I apologize if this is a somewhat dumb question. I am just really paranoid about getting something that could harm my cornbaby!

Thank you!

 

[wade]

Don’t worry about the brand. Pet Co probably has their aspen packaged by Kaytee. You just want to look for clean dry aspen. It shouldn’t be dusty. I should have absolutely no bugs in it. I should have a clean smell. Other than that, get the cheapest you can find.

 

[maxfox426]

Don’t worry about the brand. Pet Co probably has their aspen packaged by Kaytee. You just want to look for clean dry aspen. It shouldn’t be dusty. I should have absolutely no bugs in it. I should have a clean smell. Other than that, get the cheapest you can find.

That is kind of what I figured... but after reading a few things about "bad" aspen, I figured it wouldn't hurt to ask.

Thank you for the response!

 

[Drizzt80]

I prefer KayTee brand. I have personally recognized an "petroleum-like" odor from the Sunseed, Premier Pet, and one other brand I had tried. It was strong. Kaytee is also a smaller shred, more to my liking. I also have used the horse bedding aspen you can get at Mill's Fleet & Farm for $5 (yes, I said $5!!) a bale (yes, I said a bale!!). It's a really fine shred and I love it for my hatchlings.

D80

 

[RJM137]

I use aspen provided by Zoo Med. It's the only available at nearly all Petco's in Jersey so that's what I go with.

 

[maxfox426]

Thanks for the input!

I've found a few places where I can order KayTee aspen online. I just hate paying shipping costs for something that shouldn't be this hard to find! Bleh.

There is one more pet store in town that I can try... hopefully they have KayTee aspen in stock. *crossing fingers* I'm not sure if there is a Fleet & Farm in my area. I'll have to look it up.

In the meantime, I do have access to the ZooMed stuff. So I won't be completely without.

 

[Chip]

I've bought much of it in bulk at hardware stores, though I expect to hear others complain. I agree, Wade should have absolutely no bugs and he should have a clean smell.

 

[shaberry]

Just wondering, is it more adviseable to use the shredded aspen or is it ok to use aspen chips? Or does it really matter? Also, which is more preferred for a hatchling?

 

[maxfox426]

I've bought much of it in bulk at hardware stores, though I expect to hear others complain. I agree, Wade should have absolutely no bugs and he should have a clean smell.

I would never have though to look at the hardware store. What section would it be in if I was going to look there?

Just wondering, is it more adviseable to use the shredded aspen or is it ok to use aspen chips? Or does it really matter? Also, which is more preferred for a hatchling?

From what I understand, either aspen chips or shredded aspen is fine just as long as you follow the guidelines that have already been mentioned in this thread.

As for which is preferred for use with hatchlings, I've heard it both ways. Some prefer chips because it's easier to find the hatchlings when they burrow, while some prefer shredded because it's softer.

Hopefully someone else will be chime in to confirm this or correct me if I'm wrong...

 

[Chip]

I would never have though to look at the hardware store. What section would it be in if I was going to look there?

Lawn and garden. I use the shredded stuff, chips seem like they wouldn't be too absorbent.

 

[Hypancistrus]

I prefer KayTee brand. I have personally recognized an "petroleum-like" odor from the Sunseed, Premier Pet, and one other brand I had tried. It was strong. Kaytee is also a smaller shred, more to my liking. I also have used the horse bedding aspen you can get at Mill's Fleet & Farm for $5 (yes, I said $5!!) a bale (yes, I said a bale!!). It's a really fine shred and I love it for my hatchlings.

D80

I'm with D80 on this one. I loathe Petsmart for not carrying Kaytee anymore.

 

[shaberry]

Anyone know where I can get horse bedding in California, near the Riverside or LA counties? Or does anyone know if there's any stores like Mill's Fleet & Farm over here? I've heard someone name "Superior", but when I looked it up, I only found Superior Grocers.

 

[Chip]

I'm with D80 on this one. I loathe Petsmart for not carrying Kaytee anymore.

As a pet shop owner, I've quit carrying Kaytee myself, except for their "Exact" feeds, and a few odds and ends. The reason for this is that Wal-Mart sells so much of it for under my wholesale cost. I don't carry Tetra or Jungle products because Pet Smart sells those for darn near my cost, too... and they are crappy products (for the most part). I understand companies giving breaks for buying in bulk, but locally owned shops don't have warehouses and mass delivery options. I don't expect to get a 100% markup on dry goods like the old days, but when prices are "set" by chain store pricing that is near (or often below) wholesale, I can't do business with that company.

This phenomenon as well as Internet retailers with low overhead is why Mom and Pop pet shops are going the way of the Dodo.

 

[Blue Apple Herps]

There is one brand I got at PetsMart, it was the larger pieces of aspen - more of aspen shavings than shredded aspen. I got it because they were out of the regular stuff I got. I really wish I could remember the brand of it.

Anyways, it was terrible!! Sooooooooooooooooooooo dusty. It was making me sneeze so badly after changing out two tubs that I said to hell with it and threw the whole bag away. I couldn't believe how awful it was.

 

[tricksterpup]

I personally do not use any petstore brand.
I go to a co-op store and pick up aspen horse bedding for $5. I save alot of money, the bags are bigger and way cheaper. I have no odd smell from the aspen at all.

 

[Drizzt80]

As a pet shop owner, I've quit carrying Kaytee myself, except for their "Exact" feeds, and a few odds and ends. The reason for this is that Wal-Mart sells so much of it for under my wholesale cost.

Chip, I empathize with you on that whole heartedly. I have tried to find an alternative to KayTee but can't find one that flat out doesn't stink. If it's any consolation, I do get mine from a local mom and pop. I haven't tried the shredded stuff from Mill's with my adult snakes, but am going to give it a shot in some of the tubs on my next round of cleaning. The KayTee is just the perfect sized shaving right now. :shrugs:

PS. I think IAMS is responsible for starting that mass exodus from pet shops to department stores so many years ago.

D80

PPS. TPup has posted a picture of the exact stuff I was talking about.

 

[wade]

Jim, I like that aspen in your picture. I have had a real hard time finding that around here. What I have found is a company in Salt Lake City who specializes in wood chips and shavings of all kinds. They will give you different chip sizes and different moisture contents different kinds of wood. But they are way expensive and you have to buy a pallet at a time. I use horse bedding from the local feed store.