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Aspen shavings are actually one of the better wood bedding options for rats since they're soft and absorbent without being too dusty. They're safer than cedar or pine which can be pretty harsh on their respiratory systems. Just make sure to change them out regularly since rats go through bedding fast and it can get wet from their water bottles. I'd pair it with some paper bedding or hay for extra comfort and odor control.
Aspen shavings are generally considered safe for rats, unlike cedar and pine which can cause respiratory issues. Plenty of folks use aspen without problems, and your rats should be fine with it. That said, it's not the *best* option out there - it tends to be dusty and doesn't absorb moisture or odors as well as some alternatives.
If you do go with aspen, make sure you're getting good quality shavings that are as dust-free as possible. Shake the bag before you put it in the cage to settle some of that dust, or wet your hands and run them through it to knock down the dust particles. Change it out regularly since it doesn't hold up well with moisture - rats pee a lot and aspen gets gross pretty quick. You'll probably need to do full bedding changes more often than if you used something like aspen pellets or paper-based bedding.
Better alternatives if you want to try them would be paper bedding, aspen pellets, or even kiln-dried pine (which is supposedly safer than fresh pine, though opinions vary). But honestly, if aspen is what you've got on hand and it's not too dusty, your rats won't suffer. Just stay on top of cleaning and you'll be alright.
I've used it myself and never had issues. Just make sure it's not too dusty and maybe mix in some paper bedding too since rats can be pretty messy and aspen alone might need more frequent changes to keep the cage fresh.
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