What is the best bedding to use for chinchillas?
I was originally recommended by a vet to use Carefresh Ultra, and up to this point thats what I've kept with. I have noticed them nibbling on it when I first put fresh in, but they tend to drop it fairly quickly and go back to what they were doing before. Still, I've read that Carefresh isn't safe to eat and paired with the cost of it compared to other beddings I would be happy to switch them to something different.
I've heard that pine bedding can be dusty and cause respiratory problems if used long-term, but it seems that a lot of people have used and are currently using this without any problems. Aspen is supposedly better because it doesn't carry the oils found in the pine bedding. I'm wondering if the oils in the pine bedding is what causes the problems? Either way, I've also been told that the wood beddings aren't safe to eat either because they will expand in the stomach. I assume though that wood shavings would be more digestible than the Carefresh? Of course I know never to use cedar.
What about the newspaper type bedding?
What about no bedding at all? It seems that both of my chinchillas prefer to urinate in the bedding, so if I remove it will they start peeing everywhere in the cage? (I have a tall setup with shelves, and the bedding is only at the bottom, so I'm wondering if they will start to pee on the shelves if I take the bedding out?) Has anyone tried using a litterbox and putting bedding in that and leaving the rest of the cage bare? If I did try the litterbox, what would be the best material to get? I'd rather not use plastic; how safe are the disposable cardboard litterboxes?
What type of bedding do you use with your chinchilla(s) and why?
Thanks everyone for your time and input!
