Stinky aspen shavings!

[Gibbs&JackBlack]

I normally use Carefresh (which is on order and should be here in 5 days). But a bag of aspen came with my rescued syrian and it reeks! I just changed out the bedding yesterday when I got her with the brand new bag of aspen they gave me. But it seriously stinks today. I've used aspen before and it didn't stink.

The bag says "aspen shavings" so I know it's not a mix. However, it's really clumped together and I've never seen that before. I wonder if it got wet?? Like condensation in the bag?

I'm actually worried it could harm her because it smells so bad to me. It's late now so I'll have to wait till tomorrow to get anything new.

Anyone else have this problem with aspen?

[strawberrysmom]

Never! I LOVE aspen. It takes forever for my cages to stink with it. Carefresh stinks up much faster with my dwarf and robos. I get Kaytee Apsen shavings. What brand of Aspen did you get???

[Gibbs&JackBlack]

They were "Great Choice" aspen shavings and I don't know where they came from. It got stinky enough I ran to the local Pet Supply and picked up a small bag of Carefresh. I moved Daisy to a large bin with a cheap large Comfort Wheel I got there for $8 too. I can tell she likes the wheel even though the dang thing is crazy loud. And her back doesn't arch-yay!
The bin is really tall so I'm just leaving the lid off-cross fingers I don't have a spider hamster.
I'll have all my new supplies and tank this weekend and all will be well.
At least she'll be comfortable and nice smelling for the next 5 days

[Hamtastic]

I would say if it looks and smells off - don't use it. Aspen is not that expensive to start with (~$14 or less for a huge bag of a nice kind at PetCo), so I'd toss it! (Never had this issue myself, but I don't use Aspen enough. Mine has always been fluffy and smelled nice).