OUR FAVORITE PRODUCTS
We recommend the products we use because we love them so much. We wanted our adopting families to have access to the WORLD’s BEST and most trusted (according to the most stringent requirements) products. You can order PicoLab, BioFresh, and Sani-Chip from their Texas Distributors, Lab Supply TX. They are able to ship via FedEx or you can visit either of their 2 locations after placing an order over email or online at www.labsupplytx.com.
We offer our TEDY Healthful Enrichment Mix in our online store.
Disclaimer: We are not distributors, retailers, or otherwise affiliated with Lab Supply TX, Lab Diet, P.J. Murphy, BioFresh, MidWest Pet Homes, or Amazon and are not commissioned on any recommendation or referral of their products. We do re-sale some products.
PicoLab 5053
We trust LabDiet Irradiated PicoLab 5053 with Constant Nutrition. This diet is a full life cycle diet and the only one we fully trust and feed in our Rattery.
LabDiet tests every ingredient and considers all factors, including environmental factors, and analyzes them for every batch DAILY. Then the product gets Irradiated which is a process that improves the safety and extends the shelf life of foods by reducing or eliminating microorganisms and insects (FDA) and then packs it into a 4 ply material to ensure we always receive the best nutrients, without the risks, consistently.
We send home 2 LB of food to each adopting family to switch over or have enough to get their own order from Lab Supply TX.
BioFresh Cellulose Bedding
BioFresh Cellulose bedding is one of the best kept secrets. Absolutely dust free and actually capable of controlling odor… BioFresh is leading the way by providing the best cellulose bedding for rats in many forms. A published study done by JAALAS in 2021 included 4 different popular bedding choices. This study found that after 2 weeks, compared to corn or aspen shavings, cellulose materials largely prevented above-threshold measurements, compared with other bedding types.
It is no secret that paper products like the popular CareFresh and Fleece does nothing to control ammonia, even though they are heavily pushed on the rat community. The trusted experts we work with all conclude bedding and husbandry as the leading cause of death and sickness in rats; often times stirring up Mycoplasma side effects due to dust and ammonia levels in cages.
We whole heartedly love BioFresh due to their ongoing research and our personal success with this product. You can order both the 1/8 pellet and Comfort Bedding (Similar to Care Fresh) from Lab Supply TX.
PJ Murphy SANI-CHIPS®
We recommend Aspen, Maple, or Birch wood bedding products, after cellulose, above all other bedding types. Yes, dust in excess can cause havoc. PJ Murphy Bedding gives you the absolute best of products. Virtually dust free, no gimmick. Our rats seriously go NUTS with this bedding! They LOVE it!
We have never been able to find any dust with their products. The only “dust” we find in our HIPPA filters is dandruff and shed hair. Seriously, no one does it better than PJ Murphy. Their SANI-CHIPS® are used by the National Institutes of Health in Bethesda, MD, the National Toxicological Program, the National Center for Toxicological Research (NCTR) and the National Cancer Institute. Their all-natural wood animal bedding can be found in nearly every major animal breeding facility in the U.S.
We use the regular Sani-Chips and you can order this through Lab Supply TX or through their Amazon store. One bag of Sani chips is enough to cover 4 levels of Critter Nation cages for 1-2 weeks pending how many rats you have on each level.
Shunamite Diet for Enrichment
The Shunamite diet is a fun way to stay involved and choose healthful snacks for your pet rats. We recommend the Shunamite diet as enrichment only and as a way to formulate and choose the best snacks and entertainment for your pet rats. In addition to our mix, we provide fresh fruits and veggies. (We do not include dried fruits or veggies in our blend to keep a safe moisture content and shelf life)
Our blend is balanced, healthful, and fun. It can be spread along the cage so you can watch them dig and scratch around for treats or as in hand treats to teach them tricks or show them love. Our mix changes and we keep our mix formulas proprietary.
Our current mix is a 15% protein, 7% fat. It includes many ingredients, but no dog kibble, horse grain, or dried animal/fish/insect in this particular mix. It is human grade and jam packed with nutrition and enjoyment.
Midwest Critter Nation Cages
We love Critter Nation because of their ability to retain their value, last over 10 years with minimal care, are durable and safe, and HIGHLY customizable.
You can find used Critter Nations on FaceBook Marketplace or buy them new. They offer enough space and customizability. We have done over 50 different set ups with our critter nations in connecting or dividing them. You just can not go wrong with a Critter Nation and they are popular and in demand, so their resale value is great as well!
Critter nations come in a single or double unit. They can have as may add ons as you would like. We currently use a 3x3x3 unit set up and will be adding an additional 3. You can do a stack, L Shape, or even a Window shape (with support structure). You can replace the bottom with a plexiglass or cement tub (I don’t recommend tubs for chewers). You can create custom bases for them or set them on top of furniture.
You’re limited only by your own imagination!
Single Critter Nations on Amazon or Double Critter Nations on Amazon or an add on story unit on Amazon.
Bass Critter Nation Metal Replacement Pans
For the same cost as it is to replace a plastic flat tray for Midwest Critter Nations or just a little more than purchasing a not so escape proofed cement mixing pan, you can upgrade to a metal 3” deep pan! They also offer stainless steal options at a higher cost.
They also have a urine guard that adds an additional 6” of depth to prevent bedding from getting scattered outside of the cage. They can also be used in unison with the original MidWest Critter Nation Trays to help prevent scatter. Your chaos potatoes won’t be chewing through or escaping from these trays! A solid investment for anyone who loves Critter Nations but is a little light on cash for plexiglass glass or time and tools for custom build options.
Bass has great customer service as well. We recently upgraded our cages to a custom pan and divider in the same galvanized steel and are in love with the immense value for money!