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Post by butsam on Jun 2, 2004 8:32:22 GMT -8
I know cedar wood is poisonous to gerbils. What about other types of wood? How can I identify the type of wood?
Thank you!
Sam
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 4, 2004 4:16:51 GMT -8
I cannot give you a complete list, because that is not known! Give your gerbils only branches from fruit trees, willow, birch, hazel, beech, and maple tree. Branches and twigs from trees others than listed above can be also toxic. Plants that are poisonous for sure are: common yew (Taxus baccata), common ivy (Hedera helix), holly (Ilex spp.), azaleas and rhododendrons (Rhododendron ssp.). For identifying the trees, you need to know how they look like, etc. When you buy wood, you can maybe ask (but than you have no control). It is best to keep the rule: if you don't know what it is, don't use it!
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 4, 2004 4:19:01 GMT -8
The Problem with Cedar and Pine Shavings as Pet Bedding and LitterCedar and pine shavings are commonly available pet bedding products - but are they harmful to the very animals for which they are intended? Cedar and pine became popular for pet bedding material because they are good at controlling odor and have some natural insecticidal properties (they kill or repel bugs, especially cedar). These softwood shavings smell nice due to the volatile compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that are given off. Unfortunately these compounds have been implicated as a potential health risk, especially with regards to respiratory problems (asthma, inflammation, allergic responses) and changes in the liver. Many of the studies on wood toxicity have actually been conducted on humans, who are exposed to these woods and their by products in the wood product industry (such as those who work in lumber mills who are exposed to lots of wood dust), and these studies often compare the incidence of disease in workers in the wood product industry compared to other workers or the average population. Studies of laboratory animals have shown fairly dramatic changes in liver enzymes on animals housed on cedar bedding. This in turn can effect the metabolism of drugs including anesthetics, but a direct link between these changes and disease or clinical symptoms hasn't been as clear. However, based on the studies that implicate the compounds in allergic and respiratory diseases as well as the impact on liver enzymes, it seems prudent to avoid cedar shavings as bedding or litter, especially since alternatives are available. With pine shavings, the problem isn't quite as clear cut. Pine shavings emit similar volatile compounds but the risks aren't as clear. Many say that drying the shavings releases most of the volatile compounds, so that products such as kiln dried pine are safe. You may still wish to use an alternative bedding or litter completely free of these compounds to be on the safe side. Better Options: If you are used to using wood shavings, aspen is a good option that is widely available. There is an increasing number of other litter or pellet type products on the market now, which are appropriate for use as bedding or in litter boxes. The best option depends on the type of animal and what the litter is used for. Some of the harder pellet products might be better used in the litter box of a ferret or rabbit, while the softer types of bedding/litter are good for the smaller pets that need their cage lined. However, even some of the pelleted products can be used as a substrate/bedding for rodents, especially as cage liner with some softer bedding provided as a top layer. Some of the newer alternative include paper-based pellets (absorbent and hold together so the wet parts can easily be scooped out), litters made from a variety of other organic materials (e.g. cherry/maple wood, aspen wood or bark, grain by-products, wood pulp fibers), and even paper strips (which are soft, but not very absorbent). Another often overlooked alternative is alfalfa pellets (e.g. rabbit food) which are cheap and fairly absorbent. Source text: exoticpets.about.com/cs/guineapigs/a/woodshavings.htm. And for further reading.
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Post by j on Jun 4, 2004 7:52:38 GMT -8
I know Pine shavings is bad.. but my gerbils have a wooden house made out of Pine and that doesn't smell like pine nor have I had any problems with it. Not even when they were pups. I think wooden toys are different from the shavings. I wouldn't trust Cedar though just cause it's usually a lot stronger.
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Post by Ritzie/Admin on Jun 4, 2004 14:30:11 GMT -8
I think that it will indeed make a difference! And not all gerbils react the same to pine and cedar! Some have no problems with it. And newborn pups are the most vulnerable! I know that some people give them branches of pine! THey say they like to remove the needles! So not al gerbils have problems with pine!
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