Guinea pig eating wood and bark?

Question

This guinea pig has a wooden hut made of these mini logs connected together to make a hut.

But I think he's been eating the hut (chewing AND swallowing) and I know this because i caught him eating it and not spitting it out or anything.

Is this bad for him to eat the bark?

**I have taken the hut out for the meantime.

Answer 1

hi, ive had 14 guinea pigs @ one time once, so i think i would be able to help you out.  it is in natural for guinea pigs  to gnaw on objects around them and it is entirely normal. chewing on wood naturally helps the guinea pig's teeth from overgrowing. this is what they do in the wild.

you should know though, that cedar should always be avoided for rodents  because it causes liver damage and allergies. Pine should also be avoided. Some safe woods are elm, maple, and birch, as well as bark from fruit trees such as apple, pear, mango, peach, etc.

Answer 2

If you bought the hut from a pet store, then the wood should be okay for them, and wouldn't affect them at all. They need to teeth, so put some fruit tree sticks or timothy hay for your piggie to gnaw on.

Answer 3

Untreated wood is fine.  Avoid wood from trees that bear pitted fruits (stone fruits) such as peaches, cherries, etc.  Also avoid woods with strong phenols such as cedar, and fresh pine (pine wood can be kiln-dried or baked) as those can cause flare ups in their sensitive respiratory systems and they may end up with an infection.

It sounds like Fiddle Sticks by SuperPet or something similar, which is fine.  If they are connected by a metal wire on the inside, make sure you remove it when that wire is exposed.

Answer 4

Does he have access to hay at all times

http://www.guinealynx.info/healthycavy.h...

Answer 5

If the hut was made for pets and sold in the pet store, it is non-toxic.

Yes, guinea pigs can eat wood, believe it or not.  My guinea pig used to eat paper and cellophane and even aluminum foil, and I really made an effort to keep the foil away from him!

One day I took the piggie when I was visiting friends, and the little boys took him into their room.  Their mom almost freaked out when she saw the boys feeding him toothpicks!  I told her not to worry, it was fine.