Thread: Non toxic wood shavings?

Why is pine no good? have seen pine at the produce stores as bedding for pets .

Originally Posted by jmaxwell

Why is pine no good? have seen pine at the produce stores as bedding for pets .

From memory pine contains natural pyrethrums, this is used in some fly sprays and is the reason that pine plantaions are pretty much devoid of microfauna. I am note sure that shavings would have an impact on rabbits or the like but smaller animals could be affected if they consumed alot of it or drank alot of leachate from pine shavings?

Originally Posted by jmaxwell

Why is pine no good? have seen pine at the produce stores as bedding for pets .

What burnsey said.

Just because something is available doesn't always mean its safe.....

Abitfishy, what about the eucalypts, they are native so Australian reptiles are likely to have an immunity to the tannins and oils from living in leaf litter and drinking water containing tannins for thousands of years.

Hi mate,

Not sure, never heard them mentioned. Somehow I think not given how 'fragrant' it would be as shavings. Plus if they ingest it their poo will smell like Koala crap. But its something to look into.

Originally Posted by Burnsy

From memory pine contains natural pyrethrums

Pyrethrins are from a daisy, there are a range of compounds found in wood and most are not terribly good for you. I think part of the problem is that shavings make the issue much worse, whereas chips/chunks are better. Shavings have a very high surface area and release all their garbage quickly, chips release it slower even though there is more timber present.

I have seen pencil cedar shavings for sale as bedding! I would not put anything on that. Really most of the eucalypts should be ok for most things, however there are those exceptionally delicate beasties that can't tolerate anything.

with out sounding to stupid are we taking about pine with a losp treatment or pine trees . do you have any more info on chemicals in timber.

Just because something is available doesn't always mean its safe..... [/quote]
do you mean like asbestos we think cement sheeting and forget about the other 200 products that they put blue white and brown asbestos in

Originally Posted by jmaxwell

with out sounding to stupid are we taking about pine with a losp treatment or pine trees . do you have any more info on chemicals in timber.

Lignan (which is actually a class of compounds), Suberin (ditto), some have oils eg huon (methyl eugenol), some have allergenic proteins eg pine (chitinase), the anti cancer compound taxol is from the pacific yew bark etc. The range of compounds is truly staggering and the only surprising thing is that we have eaten safely off wooden plates and bowls for a very long time.

Originally Posted by abitfishy

Hi all,

Question regarding toxicity of wood shavings. I keep reptiles and a popular bedding susbstrate is Aspen shavings. Aspen is used supposedly due to it not being toxic or its oils causing problems. However, since its all imported in bags from OS, its not cheap.

Is there a local wood that can be 'shaved' that is 100% safe in this regard? From research I have done Pine and Cedar are no good, but no mention of anything else.

Keep in mind they are in direct contact and could ingest the odd bit.

Thanks

I keep reptiles as well ,(snakes) I was using the recycled paper kitty litter as a substrate ,until a friend of mine from down south who has a large collection ,told me to use river sand .
I had 4 tons of the river sand in my back yard , so I sieved it and now use that .
I find when the snakes pass any droppings the sand soaks up any liquid quickly I use a small scoop and take out the wet patch and replace it with fresh sand.

Kev.

Hi Woodlee,

Urggg, no thanks not a big fan of sand substrate, had issues with impaction in the past with beardies. Plus blueys tend to get it in their eyes etc since they are always on it. I only use sand for geckos, just Botany Bay washed sand. Nice stuff.

From what I have found out, the Aspen is the safest of the wood shavings, so will have to spend the dough and get it. There is a Kaytee brand which fits the bill.

The closest other shavings that can be used but not 100% recommended are cypress shavings, although I thought Cypress was still a 'pine' and had the oils etc still.....but not being much of a woodie I don't know.

Aspen is a type of poplar, there are probably plenty of them growing locally as they are closely related to the hybrid poplars used for orchard shelter etc. But they are seldom harvested for timber in this part of the world. So getting hold of shavings would be tricky.

From the aquarium experience I have, cedar and pine are generall bad news in a tank as they leach out chemicals (natural insecticides) that can harm fish. I assume they can have a similar effect on reptiles? Mammals seems to not be affected as badly, so using pine shavings as bedding for rabbits etc may be fine.

I would think that most eucalypt species would be OK, especially the less durable ones. The wood itself doesn't have a eucalypt smell as the oils are contained in the leaves, not the dry wood.

You may be able to able to get hold of Macrocarpa cypress as I know it grows in the Southern part of Aussie. Although the wood has a slight 'cedar' smell it's generally regarded as pretty harmless.

Cheers

Ian

Find out whats in its natural habitat and use it.

Harry,

Where a snake is, I am not. Thanks.