What animals can use pine bedding? This natural pine bedding is ideal for animals that like to nest or tunnel, such as rabbits, hamsters, mice and guinea pigs. It has been kiln-dried to allow for better absorption and to remove harmful bacteria.
Full Answer
What types of animals do not need bedding?
1 Goats and Sheep. Sheep and goats do not respond well to treatment, if they become ill, they usually have a very difficult time recovering and often expire. 2 Pigs. These meat producing animals do not require much bedding. ... 3 Beef Cows. Comfort is a crucial aspect when providing bedding for cows. ... 4 Poultry. ... 5 Horses. ...
What kind of bedding do pigs need?
Some bedding is used in indoor pens, especially with farrowing pigs. No bedding is required in confinement housing if slotted floors are used. Pigs emit a lot of moisture, to help expel this, allow for good ventilation and frequent changing of bedding.
What is the best type of pet bedding material?
Cedar and pine became popular as pet bedding materials because they are good at controlling odor and have some natural insecticidal properties (they kill or repel bugs like lice, especially the cedar chips). These softwood shavings also smell nice due to the volatile compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that are given off.
What are the different types of bedding for livestock?
In general, bedding for an animal must be comfortable, clean, and absorbent. There are several materials, both organic and inert, that may be used for bedding, and most may be used for all types of livestock.
What is pine bedding good for?
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.
Can rabbits eat pine bedding?
The phenols in the softwood (pine and cedar) shavings causes changes in the liver's enzymes. Your rabbit's liver tries to remove the phenols by producing more of certain enzymes that destroy these chemicals; this is a natural part of you and your rabbit's defense against enviromental toxins.
Is pine bedding bad for small animals?
Pine bedding is a good choice for guinea pigs but it is important the wood shavings have been processed correctly so they are safe for these small pets.
Can squirrels use pine bedding?
Add twigs, sticks and pieces of pine straw to the cage; this allows the squirrel to replicate a nest. A squirrel with appropriate bedding will have less anxiety about its captivity, and prove easier to train. Place larger sticks in the cage, so the squirrel can climb for exercise.
Is pine bedding safe for chickens?
Pine bedding is unsafe for chickens due to the damaging effects of abietic acid on the respiratory system, the damaging effects of terpene hydrocarbons and aromatic compounds on liver function, and the carcinogenic nature of pine dust.
Is pine bedding safe for guinea pigs?
Don't use cedar. Pine also gives off aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) that are harmful to guinea pigs. Kiln-dried pine gives off fewer phenols and may be used, although with the variety of bedding available, it is best to choose a bedding that gives off no known phenols. Don't use pine.
Can hamsters use pine bedding?
No Pine and Cedar Wood Shavings According to multiple studies , pine and cedar shavings are generally considered harmful to hamsters, and in large enough doses, can even trigger allergic reactions in humans.
Is pine bedding safe for cats?
Pine bedding and other wood shavings are safe for use as cat litter, as long as they're kiln dried to remove phenol. Pine shavings make a great alternative to clay cat litter due to pine's natural antimicrobial properties.
Can you use pine bedding for outdoor cats?
Oven-dried (low-odor) pine is fine but cedar has too many volatile oils and resins. Aspen would be better. But for a kitten I think I'd try to get something like Kitten Attract to see if he could be trained to use regular litter.
Is pine bedding safe for gerbils?
Bad Bedding Options The following materials can be harmful to gerbils, and so we strongly advise against using them at all. Pine and cedar bedding - These are terrible options, as they cause respiratory problems in gerbils due to the fact that they break into tiny pieces and can be breathed in.
Is pine shavings safe for dogs?
Therefore, products such as kiln-dried pine are safe (many pet products are heat-treated like this). Other experts report skin sensitivities, itching, or allergies to pine shavings and their pets so it might be irritating to their skin despite being safe for the respiratory tract and liver.
What bedding is best for squirrels?
Bedding material: Your squirrel needs something to sleep in. One can put two men's undershirts inside the nest box and she makes a nice cozy bed out of them. It's better not to use towels as they can get their claws stuck in the loops of thread. Fleece is very nice also.
What is pine shavings used for?
Cedar chips and pine shavings are commonly used as pet bedding materials . However, there have been many discussions over the safety of these materials among exotic pet owners and advocates.
Why is cedar bedding so popular?
Cedar and pine became popular as pet bedding materials because they are good at controlling odor and have some natural insecticidal properties (they kill or repel bugs like lice, especially the cedar chips). These softwood shavings also smell nice due to the volatile compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that are given off.
Why do shavings smell so good?
These softwood shavings also smell nice due to the volatile compounds (e.g. aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that are given off . Unfortunately, though, these compounds are thought to pose a potential health risk, especially with regards to respiratory problems (asthma, inflammation, allergic responses) and changes in the liver. 1 .
Is aspen bedding safe for pets?
The concerns over pet bedding safety seem to have led to a bit of an explosion of alternative bedding products on the market. As far as wood shavings go, 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 ...
Can you use pellet litter as bedding?
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 for you depends on the type of animal you are caring for and what the litter is used for.
Can pets breathe in cedar?
This is a much different type of exposure compared to that of our pets who are not breathing in dust particles from milled wood. Studies of laboratory animals have shown fairly dramatic changes in liver enzymes of animals housed on cedar bedding though.
Is pine shavings a clear cut?
With pine shavings, the problem isn't as clear cut though. Pine shavings emit similar volatile compounds as cedar chips but the risks aren't clear. It is thought that heat-treating pine shavings may reduce the levels of aromatic hydrocarbons that have been shown as a potential concern.
Properties
Toxicity
- 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). These studies often compare the incidence of disease in workers in the wood product industry compared to other workers or the average po…
Other animals
- Studies of laboratory animals have shown fairly dramatic changes in liver enzymes of animals housed on cedar bedding though. These changes, in turn, can affect the metabolism of drugs in the liver, including anesthetics, but there is not much information on a direct link between these changes and disease or clinical symptoms. The changes in liver enzymes can be problematic fo…
Prevention
- Based on the studies that have shown concern with the compounds in the cedar chips that may cause changes within the body, it seems it is best to avoid using cedar as bedding or litter for our pets, especially since alternatives are readily available.
Risks
- With pine shavings, the problem isn't as clear cut though. Pine shavings emit similar volatile compounds as cedar chips but the risks aren't clear. It is thought that heat treating pine shavings may reduce the levels of aromatic hydrocarbons that have been shown as a potential concern. Therefore, products such as kiln-dried pine are safe (many pet products are heat treated like this…
Merchandise
- The concerns over pet bedding safety seem to have led to a bit of an explosion of alternative bedding products on the market. As far as wood shavings go, 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 for you …
Variations
- Some of the newer alternatives include paper-based pellets and fluff like Carefresh Ultra (an absorbent bedding that also holds together well 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 ab…