Is it ok to use cedar chips in an open cage?

Question

The bag I bought says ok to use for hamsters, gerbils, etc. Is it ok to use in a well ventilated cage or should i get rid of it and use a different kind.

Answer 1

Aspen savings are the SAFEST, but I have two guinea pigs and they use dust free, kiln dried cedar, which is safe according to my small animal vet. :)

Answer 2

Get rid of it. No matter how 'well ventilated' your cage is, it will not change the fact that Cedar (and Pine) are TOXIC to small animals and will have a high risk of destroying their respiratory system.

Get Aspen, if you want a wood shaving bedding.

Answer 3

nope. ur better safe than sorry. It is still putting the rodents at a HIGH risk of respiratory problems. you really should use something like Carefresh. walmart also sales different types that are generic brands wich r cheaper. its what they use at almost every petstore I have been to. just don't even put the little thing near that cedar!!!

Answer 4

You should get rid of it. they are not good for your hamster, hope i helped!

PS. On the second website, go down until you see II. Housing where it tells you about bedding.

Answer 5

the safest thing is to get rid of the bag

Answer 6

It is sad to see that pet shops still sell cedar shavings as bedding for hamsters though it has been proved ample times that cedar is dangerous to the hamsters due to the following reasons -

1. Hamster urine can react with compounds in cedar shavings to give rise to phenols which can be toxic to hamsters in the long term and shorten their life span

2. Cedar shavings have hig quantity of dust in them and hamsters can get respiratory infections or allergy by inhaling the dust

Whether the cage is open or not would not make any difference to the effects of cedar shavings on your hamster.

It is not your fault to buy the bag since it says it is for hamsters and it is wise of you to check on this board before using it. I would advise you to return it back to the shop you bought it from and exchange it for aspen shavings or carefresh.

Aspen shavings and Carefresh are tried and tested as hamster safe.You can also use ripped toilet paper. Make sure that the toilet paper is untreated, unbleached and non fragrant. Don't throw away the empty toilet roll tubes, give them to your hamster as they make good toys for the hamsters to play and gnaw.

This site would give you an idea of which safe commercial bedding to buy for your hamster -

http://www.hamsterific.com/BeddingGuide....

Answer 7

Well i don't really like to use cedar chips because they can be bad for the rodents feet and respiratory system. It would be better to use a different kind

Answer 8

hey now, it's not toxic to ALL animals. I have 3 guinea pigs and I use cedar chips. The cage just has to be wired, you can't use it in plasic cages.

Answer 9

You can't use it for pets, but it'll make great mulch for the garden.

Answer 10

Definitely chuck it. Pine and cedar are softwoods and contain dangerous phenols that damage the respiratory system and liver of ANY animal kept on them. If you're looking for a safe wood bedding go with aspen. Aspen is a hardwood and does not contain the phenols.