|
|
Post by t on Dec 3, 2010 21:23:01 GMT -8
I was looking at stores and seems like all bedding for rodents here is made with pinus or is an expensive imported item. Since seems like pinus contain toxic resin that is harmfull for gerbils can I bake it in the oven to evaporate all the volatile compounds?
|
|
|
|
Post by SilverGerbil on Dec 4, 2010 6:59:20 GMT -8
Where abouts are you? If you are in the UK then pine bedding is safe to use, baking it wouldn't make any difference really.
What options have you seen available? Theres many:
- Eco bedding
- Carefresh
- Aspen
- Corn Cob
- Wood shaving
- Hay
- Shredded Paper (not a very durable one)
x
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 4, 2010 8:11:58 GMT -8
I'm in Brazil
What about corn cob? Is it just normal corn cob dried and shreded? I think I can do that...
|
|
kryspkreme
Member
She was the first and the last.... R.I.P. Evie.
Posts: 617
|
Post by kryspkreme on Dec 4, 2010 9:57:50 GMT -8
it's literally corn kernels dried. My top two recommendations would be eco bedding or aspen if you find those. It allows the gerbils to dig if you put in enough  |
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Dec 4, 2010 11:25:35 GMT -8
Corn cob WILL mold and get CRAZY dusty.
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 4, 2010 14:28:42 GMT -8
Here we don't have any eco bedding or aspen. Mold isn't a problem where I stay most of the year (the air is dry there)
What if I make myself the bedding? I could put paper in the mixer with water and maybe add some charcoal (to increase absorbance and remove odors) them bake it in the oven to dry it all.
What do you think? They are all atoxic.
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 4, 2010 15:40:12 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 4, 2010 18:54:25 GMT -8
Searching on the web I found a person selling eucalyptus shavings on a near city. Are they ok?
|
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Dec 4, 2010 18:55:59 GMT -8
Urine is moist, so it causes corncob to mold.
I'd be concerned about dust with that set-up. It seems similar to carefresh, etc., which is dusty.
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 4, 2010 19:43:01 GMT -8
|
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Dec 4, 2010 19:51:30 GMT -8
Gerbils have VERY sensitive lungs. You should not be using anything smelly.
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 5, 2010 4:35:04 GMT -8
With more search I found that Eucalyptus toxic part is in the leaves and bark, and only if eaten in large quantities. So far seems like the wood shavings are safe...
Family
Myrtaceae
Plant Description
Evergreen trees with alternate or opposite, simple, smooth-margined leaves; flowers in small clusters, top- or bell-shaped, 4-petaled with many stamens; fruit a many-seeded capsule.
Origin
Australia.
Where Found
Houseplant or interiorscape; landscape as cultivated ornamental woody shrub or small tree.
Mode
Ingestion, dermatitis.
Poisonous Part
Leaves, bark.
Symptoms
Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, coma. Skin redness, irritation, and burning from handling leaves and bark. Eucalyptus oil is extremely toxic if eaten.
Toxic Principle
Eucalyptus oil and cyanogenic glycoside.
Severity
TOXIC ONLY IF LARGE QUANTITIES EATEN. SKIN IRRITATION MINOR, OR LASTING ONLY FOR A FEW MINUTES.
Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.
|
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Dec 5, 2010 5:02:14 GMT -8
If there's even just a smell, you cannot use it.
The wood shavings will contain the bark.
Egerbil might be the best place to ask, but I'd consider it completely unsafe for gerbils, as they are prone to pneumonia.
|
|
|
|
Post by t on Dec 5, 2010 6:02:08 GMT -8
I will ask if there is any bark on it, buy some and check the smell. At least, according to the scientific articles I found it is better than pine  |
|
|
|
Post by ohmylokix on Dec 5, 2010 6:28:57 GMT -8
The studies you sent gave no mention of phenols.
|
|
