cheap bedding

[warrenob1000]

are there any cheap but safe alternatives to aspen or carefresh? If I can save money in the long run I'd change the bedding more often than with the conventional materials if the alternative is not as absorbent.

[andreaS15]

Corn Cob I believe may be cheaper.... But I don't buy it's so I'm not 100%
I just buy the larger bags, they last longer and I save money in the long run. Right now I use a mix of Aspen and Carefresh.

[Da One]

i think alot of people use shredded paper towel. im not sure if this is really a safe alternive.

[andreaS15]

i think alot of people use shredded paper towel. im not sure if this is really a safe alternive.
Yup, alot of people use shredded computer paper, especially for gerbies who are allergic to everything.

I wouldn't think that would be cheaper though. For how much you have to fill the tank with, and how much paper towel costs.

[BrandyJo]

At the Pet Supplies Plus by my house, I get the big bag (I can't remember what size it is) of Carefresh for only $14.35. And with 11 gerbils it lasts me a month. With 2 or so.... it would last a VERY long time.... I know it's more expensive other places. I've seen it over $20 for the same size bag. But you could shop around and see if you can find someplace that sells what you use for cheap. I haven't used anything other than carefresh but I do believe corn cob bedding is cheaper... I just think I remember hearing that it's not really safe if they eat it... So, I steer clear of it. And the paper/paper towel thing.... I've heard that it starts to smell a lot more quickly than real bedding, so it must be changed often. It might still be cheaper. I don't know. It just seems like gerbils wouldn't like digging in paper..... but I don't know. I've never tried it. Is there anyone that has that can enlighten us :)?
I would stay stick with aspen or carefresh... whichever you're using. I think they're the best options.

[TTGerbils]

I've used shredded paper towels as bedding for a good while, on the recommendation of my vet.

Smell isn't much of a problem if you have larger tanks and change them regularly. I change mine once a week. Since my gerbils usually chose one corner for their latrine, I clean that corner every few days. They also have potty jars, so that helps keep their tanks cleaner.

I buy the cheap paper towels from the Dollar Store, 50 cents a roll, and use a paper shredder to shred it. I have four tanks--three 20Ls and one 75-gallon permanent split tank--and it takes about 4 rolls to change all four tanks, so about $2.00 a week. One shredded roll makes a good amount of bedding and I'm not stingy when I bed my tanks.

My gerbils all seem to enjoy them. They're light, so it's easy for them to burrow under the towels and they add them to their TP nests. It's really cute to see the towels rustling, then suddenly see a head pop up out of the bedding.

I've tried about every bedding available here (aspen, corncob, Carefresh, and Carefresh Ultra) and have been very satisfied with using paper towels. One bonus is that I haven't had any trouble with sore noses since switching and I have one very sensitive gerbil who is allergic to every bedding I've tried except the paper towels.

[floppy]

If you are using toilet or kitchen paper you are better using the cheap stuff. It doesn't have as many chemicals/bleach in it.

I too have a very sensitive gerbil who seems to have an allergy to most types of bedding. I couldn't get Carefresh anywhere. I tried Corncob pellets but they smell really funny...I'm not sure they liked it much anyway. I used kitchen/toilet roll for a long time with her. I don't have a paper shredder (apart from the gerbils!) so I used to scrunch up each square and fill their duna. It was funny to see them pop up out of it but when it gets flattened they can't do anything. They definitely can't 'burrow' in it! It gets flattened after a day or two and isn't much fun for them after that. I have only recently been able to get Carefresh. Her nose seems to be clearing up but it's taking ages. I still use Dermobion anti-biotic cream on her now and again. Can't use it too often because it has steroids in it. I have asked a local pet shop to se of they can get Megazorb as it's meant to be the best bedding around. Especially if the gerbils have allergies. It's paper based. Hopefully the pet shop will be able to get some for me. You can order it online but it comes in huge bags because it's mainly used for horses! You could also try farms/studs and they may sell you some.