CareFRESH pet bedding is fabricated out of cellulose fibers, leftovers from paper production. It absorbs
liquids very well.
But: Are CareFRESH beddings "the safest, healthiest pet bedding for your pet," as their packaging proclaims? You decide...
I have nothing against CareFRESH and no reason to be negative. It's just that the science doesn’t apparently support some of their marketing statements, and you might like to know the facts.
CareFRESH does a great job soaking up liquids and urine,
however according to four studies, it provides almost NO ammonia control.
See the study results at our Rabbit Litter page.
If you'd like to read the text of the entire study, you can
read or download the PDF here.
Since this page was originally written, CareFRESH has introduced several brand-new products to the marketplace:
This is very good news for pet rabbit owners (and rats, mice, gerbils, etc.), and an oblique admission regarding the ability of the 100% CareFRESH products to control ammonia. Keep reading, because scientific studies will reveal to you exactly why Absorption Corporation created these new CareFRESH products.
I choose to stick with straight pine shavings, but if you really like CareFRESH pet bedding, we suggest considering one of the blended bedding products, or ensure adequate ventilation and frequent litter changes.
(2018 Update: Only one Carefresh Pine blend is currently on the market - it's the one with 90% pine shavings.)
CareFRESH Plus Pine Shavings - Available Singly or in Multiples:
In my opinion, the CareFRESH marketing spin-doctors were walking a very fine line across the back-of-the-package advertising on the original products.
"CareFRESH Ultra suppresses the formation of ammonia, the primary odor caused by pet urine."
Huh?
In four separate tests, CareFRESH Ultra ranked off the charts in parts-per-million of ammonia. The scientists called an early halt to the first test, as ammonia levels exceeded an average of 200 ppm within 2 weeks (as compared to 13.2 ppm after 3 weeks for pine shavings). Surprised, the researchers repeated their tests three different ways. In all cases, CareFRESH bedding failed remarkably to control ammonia. This is all documented in the above study.
Why would this be? Pine and certain other wood fibers have natural properties that either fix the nitrogen in urine, preventing the formation of ammonia, or inhibit the bacteria that convert the urine into ammonia. According to the science, CareFRESH fibers may not perform either function, despite the assertions on their packaging.
CareFRESH Natural "works to suppress the formation of ammonia, the primary odor." Given the scientific results, we're not surprised at their wording - 'works to suppress....'
Failure to prevent, inhibit or control ammonia is far more concerning than any of the hype about pine and cedar aromatic oils, which you can be sure CareFRESH mentions on every bag of product... "CareFRESH is processed to remove potentially harmful aromatic hydrocarbons that exist in pine and cedar oils."
CareFRESH Pet Bedding "lasts twice as long as shavings so you save time and money." But, that little problem with ammonia means you've got to clean out the litter twice as frequently. Doh...there went the savings.
Petco dedicates huge shelf-space to CareFRESH. Nevertheless, heat-treated pine shavings and the other Raising-Rabbits.com-recommended rabbit beddings may be superior for your needs.
Sherwood Forest Feeds: The best there is on the market, currently.
Adult rabbit feeds available in 4.5 lb and 10 lb bags.
How would our pet rabbits fare? High ammonia is a well-known predisposing factor for snuffles. With virtually 100% of rabbitries already carrying pasteurella multocida germs (according to Rabbit Production), it is clear that your rabbit needs environmental ammonia levels at a minimum for optimal health.
Are you using CareFRESH? Now you know its downside, and can make the necessary adjustments. Your pet rabbit will be fine if you take these precautions:
CareFRESH Plus Pine Shavings - Available Singly or in Multiples:
Are you using a blend of CareFRESH with shavings?
A blend of CareFRESH with pine shavings is much more likely to offer you the best of both worlds - sufficient comfort and absorbency along with the critical ability to control ammonia odors.
Please post a comment about how the blended CareFRESH products are working for you. Thanks!
Click below to see contributions from other visitors to this page...
My hamster died after being exposed to Carefresh Advanced Odor Contol
I purchased the purple Carefresh advanced odor Control with baking soda, premium soft pet bedding. Darling healthy hamster is now dead. No other explanation. …
See Rabbit Bedding for other recommended bedding choices
Consider becoming a member of the American Rabbit Breeders Association.
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