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[Hoppinchins]

I just got a white chinchilla yesterday, He is a picky eater when it comes to the food, but he likes to eat the bedding. Is that safe for him to eat that?

[ABC Chinchillas]

What kind of bedding do you use? if it is pine or aspen then yes it is safe. Anything else is not safe for them to eat.

[Hoppinchins]

The bedding brand is carefresh. It says it is environmentally friendly, biodegradable. It also says formulated to be pine and cedar oil free. Its free of dyes, clay and chemicals used in the paper making process. It is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons.  Do you think its safe to keep using or should I switch to something else? If so, what/where should I buy it at? from the lone star chinchilla website, they have Aspen Bedding 1800. Would that be better? I'm almost out of my bedding, so I have to buy new stuff anyways.

Thanks for you help.

[ABC Chinchillas]

I would stop using the carefresh I prefer Pine shavings. but Aspen is fine too. DO NOT ever use Cedar it is toxic

[Abby W.]

Yes, I would agree.  I recommend staying away from Carefresh.  There have been cases of chins that eat too much of it and develop a bowel blockage, which is very dangerous.  But, there are also many people who use it without any problems.  It really just depends on your chinchilla.  If you've seen him eating it then I would change to pine or aspen bedding if I were you.

[Aileen]

Carefresh is usually used for litter tray under a cage with a wire base. If your cage is one where it will be an area which a chin is running through the carefresh? don't use it.

Why do you need bedding? a chinchilla doesn't really require bedding and often gets urine stains from soiled litter etc Some people do use bedding though. It's just my personal choice not to use it.

You mentioned Chucks site named Lonestar having aspen bedding? Aspen as Chuck mentions is safe. He is a well known breeder(even here in UK) If he said it's okay for bedding I would trust him. He is too well known to have unsuitable materials for using with chinchillas. he has been breeding for a long time and knows what he is talking about.
happy chinning Aileen

[Hoppinchins]

Thanks everyone for the advice. Its also good to know that the lodestar website is one I can trust.

[mylittlechinchilla]

I use all pine bedding here, it works great and they tend to chew it a little but it won't hurt them.

[Hoppinchins]

I just switched to pine bedding. My chins seem to like it. They also started to eat it right away. The pine bedding I have isn't soft though. Should I find some that is soft?

[mylittlechinchilla]

Do you have the large chunks of pine?  I like the finer shredded pine, it is much better.
I am attaching a photo of what my pine looks like.

[Hoppinchins]

Yes, I have the larger pine bedding. I'll try to attached a pic of my bedding later. I'v god to get back to study for finals. UG.

[mylittlechinchilla]

I think the more finer shredded is the best, I started with the large chunks and was having issues with odors.  I found the other shavings the chins LOVE it and I do too!  They always nibble it a little but it won't hurt them.

I think you can get the kind like I use at TSC..

[Hoppinchins]

Ok, Thanks. Wat is TSC?

[mylittlechinchilla]

Tractor Supply.. sorry.

[Hoppinchins]

Its cool. There's one of those around me. Thanks.