Dusty bedding.....? aspen, carefresh and kaytee paper stuff

[lucille]

I got some aspen the other day at petsmart and had a decision to make - either the snake aspen which was finely shredded and looked like it would make great burrows or the small mammal aspen.... which was basically hard chunk mulch with pieces nearly the size of Gerbil Jack Jr... I chose the snake aspen.... when I got it home and filled up an aquarium with it dear god is it dusty!  Is this ok??  It leaves a fine dust every where.

I have also noticed that the carefresh natural and there's a Kaytee paper based one that I get leave fine dust all over the cage too... the only bedding I've tried that doesn't is the shredded crinkle paper Eco bedding - but I wouldn't want to use only that cause it's not real supportive of burrows.  How important is this dust issue?  Do rodents house themselves in fairly dusty environments in nature?  Back when I had rats I solved the dust issue by putting towels washed in non-scented detergent in their cage which obviously won't work with gerbils what with the chewing : )

[lizb]

If it's okay is entirely dependent on how sensitive you and the gerbils are. I know I would be allergic to the dust. When I clean the cage today I will add some Carefresh Custom for Gerbils and Hamsters (supposed to be supportive of burrows). So, I'll keep you updated on how dusty that is.

[lucille]

I was wondering about the carefresh custom. I'm upset cause it seems like they may have done away with the carefresh natural in favor of a new version that has baking soda in it. I know baking soda is supposed to be non toxic and all... but I still don't think I'd want to be drowning in it all day long and have it all over my paws and feet and in my eyes. So far he doesn't seem sensitive... I guess I should just keep an eye out for a red nose?

[lizb]

The boys seem okay with it, but I'm allergic, so back to Eco-bedding for us. But yes, keep checking for their sensitivity.