Cedar and pine shavings are no longer recommended as bedding for small pets; fortunately many alternatives have become available. CareFresh was one of the first alternatives, and while the original CareFresh was a good alternative to cedar and pine, it was not without problems. CareFresh Ultra is a definite improvement over the original and is my favorite small pet bedding due to its soft texture and good absorbency. It is a soft cellulose based product that is a bit more fluffy in texture than other bedding options.
Pros
- Nice soft texture.
- Very absorbent.
- Decent odor control.
- Readily available at most pet stores.
- Available in a range of sizes including large quantities.
Cons
- Expensive.
- Easy for pets to move and kick it around.
- I've heard anecdotal reports that rabbits have suffered intestinal blockages after ingesting CareFresh, so be sure your pet is not eating it.
Bottom Line
CareFresh bedding is a good choice for small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, mice and rats. It is very soft and absorbent and does a very good job of odor control. It is not dusty so it shouldn't irritate respiratory tracts, and its softness also makes it easy on the skin. However, it is expensive.
Comments
CareFresh was one of the first readily available alternatives to wood based beddings. The original CareFresh was grey and had a tendency to be a bit dusty, but CareFresh Ultra is better. I've never found it dusty, and the white CareFresh Ultra is attractive and also easy to monitor for cleanliness (though the extra processing to get it white is probably not that environmentally friendly). I find that CareFresh Ultra is very absorbent (there are never damp spots when I clean the cage) and it controls odor well. For the most part my rats don't toss it out of the cage.
CareFresh Ultra also comes in a variety of colors, though I prefer the white. The colored varieties are apparently safe and colorfast but only come in small packages and are a more expensive (I tried a small batch without problems).
The major drawback to CareFresh Ultra is the price; if you have many pets or a large cage it is expensive to use.
A study published in 2004 showed some concern over ammonia concentrations in the cages of laboratory animals kept in static cages (solid sided with wire top) so I'd probably be careful about using CareFresh in an aquarium or other solid sided cage.
I've also had anecdotal reports that ingestion of CareFresh has been implicated in intestinal blockages in rabbits, so caution is warranted if your pet tends to eat their bedding.
