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Post by karmaghost on Jul 5, 2008 15:36:42 GMT -5
I bought two 20 lb pound bags of plain long grain rice at wal-mart to fill my ferret's dig box.
Has anyone else had issues with the rice smelling? Its kind of a dirty bread smell if that makes any sense.
Every time my ferret digs in it he'd come out smelling weird. So I used some dryer sheets which helped a bit.
But now the whole room has this weird yeasty smell. I have a lid on the box for when he's not playing in it but the room still smells. I can't figure out what's causing it and the rice is the only thing that makes sense. I've cleaned everything else searching for a long lost piece of raw chicken or something.
Could the rice become moldy and stink up the place? Has anyone else had this problem?
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Post by weloveourweasels on Jul 5, 2008 18:42:00 GMT -5
maybe he used it as a potty. and i wouldn't use the dryer sheets they are toxic to your ferret. I would throw out the rice and try again.
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Post by buzzonesbirdie on Jul 5, 2008 20:54:34 GMT -5
yes the rice could be moldy and bad
i also would not use the dryer sheets.
just toss the rice and go get fresh rice
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Post by josiesmom on Jul 5, 2008 21:49:14 GMT -5
Look closely at the rice. Does it look like it has a very light dusting of beige or yellowish powder?
It is moldy - throw it out at once! Or take it back, get a refund ( don't tell them what you were using it for). Check the lot numbersand get fresh bags.
Rice should have a definite fresh clean smell to it, rather like a fresh ream of paper.
Those big bags don't move very fast, so its not uncommon to find them moldy.
Cheers, Kim
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Post by karmaghost on Jul 6, 2008 4:55:02 GMT -5
Thanks everyone. I think I might switch to ping pong balls.
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Post by usmom on Jul 6, 2008 11:58:05 GMT -5
Whole uncooked rice is also an excellent humidity absorbant. It is used in those microwave heating pads a lot of times. So, any moisture in the air, on your fert would be absorbed and cause stinkiness.
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Post by pear2apple on Jul 8, 2008 9:59:12 GMT -5
How are dryer sheets toxic to ferrets? I am using them to keep ants away from his cage now. He's not eating them, but he has scratched at them a few times. Any problems?
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Post by dalamar on Jul 16, 2008 16:25:30 GMT -5
I think the problem is the rice itself. I accidentally used the good rice the first time for my kids dig box and it didn't smell at all (it was the only rice in the house at the time). After that I bought a cheaper brand, and it stinks! I'll be getting better rice for them today.
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Post by spiritualtramp on Jul 17, 2008 11:59:55 GMT -5
Most brands of dryer sheets use chemicals that are toxic and irritant to ferrets.
The rice you use definitely matters! Imagine if you had eaten that rancid rice! Ew! I'd definitely be back to Wal*Mart to get a refund if I were you.
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