Inexpensive Carefresh bedding, where?

[Skyenoir]

Does anyone know where I can order online that has reasonably priced Carefresh bedding and does not charge a mint for shipping? Or where in the Bay Area I can find Carefresh that is "inexpensive", that is NOT a petstore? Of course I can get it for the least at Petsmart, but I refuse to go there. The least I have found it for in a non-pet store, or online shipped, is $15.50 for 50L. Or does anyone have a bedding choice they feel is better than Carefresh? I have thought about fleece, but it seems like it would be difficult to maintain, like I would have to change the whole cage daily. Since I have a 2 story 2x6 enclosed C&C cage, that is a lot of changing to do, but it is also a lot of Carefresh to buy! And I am planning on expanding AND adding a third level. Or are there other packaged bedding choices that are good? The Carefresh is getting knocked all over the floor because my pigs run around like nuts....

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Have you tried local feed stores? They usually have cheaper bedding. One around here has the big packages for $10, and large packages of kiln dried pine plus aspen for cheaper than pet stores too. I usually mix it.

 

[Skyenoir]

Well, the Carefresh was $15.50 at one of the feed stores, and $14.99 at the other, but that "store", (it was more like a drive-thru barn), was selling rabbits, hens and baby chicks in awful conditions. One of the supposedly discount pet food stores near me sells the 50L Carefresh for $19.99 a bag! How that is discount, I have no idea!

 

[smoot]

Wal-mart carries their own brand of Carefresh called CritterCare. I used to use CritterCare for my whole cage but I switched to fleece with CritterCare only in the litterboxes. For me, it was:

Less messy (no more stray litter on the floor)
Easier to maintain (vacuum every day and change out fleece twice a week)Cheap ($7 each for two fleece blankets, old towels free, newspaper free)

Your mileage will vary, of course. Also, the CritterCare makes my girls sneeze.

 

[Katie]

Our feed store has 10L of Carefresh for around $2.89 so you can get 15L for roughly $13.00. You might want to call around to some feed stores.

 

[twofinepigs]

I pay about $3.50 for 10L of Critter Care at the local Wal Mart.

I couldn't figure out a minute ago why the piggers were leaping and wheeking and bucking and standing up on the side of the enclosure. Then I realized I had gone over to see what size the Critter Care bag was, rummaged through their things, and rustled their hay bag, without "freshening" their hay pile. Silly me.

 

[Plummie]

Skyenoir, as you're learning the words "inexpensive" and "Carefresh" usually don't go hand in hand. It is excellent bedding but the cost adds up so quickly. The cheapest you will be able to find is $11-12 for the 50 quart bag, and that is online, so you'd have to pay shipping. Still it is cheaper than buying from petstores even with shipping charges.

I use kiln dried pine bedding from my local feedstore, $4.25 per big bag. With all my critters I cannot afford to use Carefresh, though I do like it.

 

[cutemomome]

True, inexpensive doesn't go with carefresh. The most it will ever go will be "reasonable enough to not to choke ourselves" and carefresh.
However, if you are in the northern california area, there's petclub. Their usual carefresh 50qt is $12.99, and once a month, it goes down to $10.99. When that happens, STOCK UP.
Their website isn't that helpful, they only list their locations, but they have the phone numbers on there that you can call to see when is the 50qt going to be on sale.
https://petclubstores.com/

 

[Slap Maxwell]

You really don't want to buy from Pet Club, Cavy Spirit says that it is a non animal-free store. But apparenty Dean's Feeds in CA has it for $10.

 

[Skyenoir]

Thank you all for your help. I am going to look up Dean's Feeds and see where they are at. I may be checking out different bedding, because it is probably going to cost about $60 or so a month for bedding if I stick with Carefresh!