Our Laboratory Animal Beddingis Clean, More Absorbent and Economical Right Out of the Bag

ALPHA-dri®

Specifications

ALPHA-dri® is composed of virgin paper pulp cellulose that is completely clean and virtually free of contaminants that are found in most animal beddings

There is a reason that our premium bedding begins with the name ALPHA.

  • ALPHA-dri® is available in 20lb bags
  • 60 bags/pallet
  • Available irradiated & certified (may be minimum QTY required)
  • Comes in bulk totes; 700 lbs/bag minimum

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ALPHA-dri®: Pure. Consistent. Uncompromised.

Exceptional Absorption Power
ALPHA-dri® absorbs over 550% of its own weight¹

Industry-Leading Brightness² = Visible Cleanliness
ALPHA-dri® leads the industry in brightness—an effective indicator of material consistency, cleanliness, and purity

21-day Cage Changes³
As demonstrated in a 2025 JAALAS study on bedding microenvironments³. Leading to less animal disruption, labor, and bedding needed.

No Mycotoxins or Endotoxins
Corncob and wood bedding often contain mycotoxins and endotoxins that can impact animal physiology and research outcomes. ALPHA-dri® is free of both.

No Odor-Masking Chemicals
We never add chemicals to control or mask odor. These additives are known to interfere with research and are prohibited by the Guide for the Care and Use of Laboratory Animals. GUIDE

Not Made from Harvested Materials
Unlike wood chips or corncob, which vary by season and source, ALPHA-dri® is made from a controlled, virgin material with minimal microbiological variability.

100% Virgin Paper Pulp
No recycled fibers. No inconsistent sources. ALPHA-dri® is made exclusively from a single grade of virgin paper pulp that meets SSP’s strict quality standards.

Free from Contaminants
ALPHA-dri® is tested to be free of heavy metals, pesticides, and emerging contaminants such as PFAS and PFOS.

Reliable Consistency
Every batch of ALPHA-dri® is consistent in chemical composition and particle size—from cage to cage, bag to bag, and lot to lot.

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Industry-Leading Brightness² = Visible Cleanliness
ALPHA-dri® leads the industry in brightness—an effective indicator of material consistency, cleanliness, and purity. This is better for observations of your animals as well.

Superior Absorbency¹
Absorbs over 550% of its weight¹ to keep cages dry and clean.

Natural Ammonia Control³
Effectively reduces ammonia levels—especially in ventilated cages—without added chemicals.

Low Dust
Precision-cut paper chips are screened and aspirated to remove dust, helping protect animals’ respiratory, sinus, and eye health.

Soft and Comfortable
Made from soft paper pulp—not hard wood or corncob—to support natural behaviors like digging and nesting.

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ALPHA-dri®’s unique characteristics and overall performance supports economical facility wide usage.  

  • 21-day Cage Change³ Reduces Costs
    ALPHA-dri is economical to use throughout the facility due to its superior absorbency and overall performance. Many facilities have extended cage changes to 21-days.
  • Less Dust Than Other Bedding Materials
    Lower dust levels mean there is less dust to filter and control within the facility and the cage wash areas.
  • Uniform Particle size and Consistent Composition
    ALPHA-dri’s uniform particle size, bulk density and moisture content allows for consistent, effective use in automatic dispensing and conveyance equipment.
  • Eliminate Costly Autoclaving or Irradiated Grades of Harvested Bedding Products
    The overall cleanliness of ALPHA-dri makes it suitable for most studies right out of the bag. 
  • Several Packaging Options
    Both certified and standard grades are packaged in high strength autoclavable bags. Irradiated material is supplied in a sealed poly bag within a sewn paper bag. ALPHA-dri is also available in bulk sacks.

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¹ISO 11948-1: Urine Absorbing Aids- Part 1: Determination of Absorption Capacity, tested by an independent laboratory.
²TAPPI T 525: Brightness of Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard (Directional Reflectance), tested by an independent laboratory.
³¹Felgenhauer JL, Copio JN, Suri AM, et al. JAALAS. 2025; [1-7].

Certificate of Analysis for ALPHA-dri® raw material
ALPHA-dri® is a registered trademark of Shepherd Specialty Papers. U.S. Trademark Reg. No. 2,345,678.

Our Products

Not only do our products promote research integrity and enhance animal welfare, but they also are designed to assist our customers in operating an efficient and cost-effective research program. With a variety of options for bedding and enrichment, SSP offers everything you need for Excellence in the Cage.

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Why SSP?

Shepherd Specialty Papers has been family owned and operated for over 30 years, and we take pride in the unparalleled quality of our products, and our people. When you choose SSP, you are choosing award-winning products that are used in cutting edge studies by the largest research companies around the world.

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Resources

When you use bedding or enrichment products from SSP, you can be sure they’ve been subject to stringent standards through our Continuous Monitoring program. Let us show you what consistent, quality products look like for you and your animals. In-depth analysis reports for each of our products are available to all of our customers.

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