GliderCENTRAL

Wood Shavings?

Posted By: JillMarie

Wood Shavings? - 05/26/12 08:49 AM

I have always heard that wood shavings in a glider cage is bad.

Ok so some feel that certain types of wood shavings are bad for ANY animal, cedar, pine, etc.

But lets take the wood shavings most feel are safe, such as Aspen.

WHY are they considered unsafe for gliders? After all they DO live in trees. On another forum I mentioned that rabbits do NOT live in trees yet it is customary to use shavings in rabbit cages.

I would like to hear objective thoughts, experiences, facts, not emotional dribble.

Thanks.
Posted By: DavidW

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/26/12 09:07 AM

I think the biggest reason of why not shavings has to do with the dust and aspirating it. I have seen some using compressed wood pellets in the trays. I would consider them or the recycled news paper pellets if I was going to use anything in the trays.

just a thought!
Posted By: IslandGliders

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/26/12 11:02 AM

I don't know if this is what you are looking for, but I don't think wood shavings are normally used in glider cages because gliders don't pee or poop all that much. Most animals you see bedded with shavings (I personally only use shavings in my birds' coops), it's because there is a lot of waste to absorb.

Sort of like you never see wood shavings in, say, a parrot's cage, even though a parrot would spend a lot of time in trees. I don't think it's BAD for the parrot, I just think there are more sensible, less messy litter options for that particular animal.
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/26/12 01:26 PM

Evergreens such as pine, cedar and spruce have oils in them (aromatic hydrocarbons, phenols) that when wet, especially by urine, can cause respiratory problems with small animals (or big animals if large enough exposure)


Studies have been done on humans, mainly those working in wood mills or those that work with wood (carpenters, cabinet makers etc) that are exposed to the saw dust and such. It can cause or irritate asthma, inflammation, allergic responses and even liver problems. With small animals that have been tested, it has shown changes in the liver enzymes as well as respiratory problems with animals (mice and rabbits) that are housed with cedar bedding.

There is a big difference between living in a tree (uncut) and shavings (cut and therefore exposing more of the oils).

Also, gliders don't live in pine/cedar trees.
Posted By: JillMarie

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/27/12 08:51 AM

I did mention that pine and cedar were no good.

Originally Posted By: JillMarie

Ok so some feel that certain types of wood shavings are bad for ANY animal, cedar, pine, etc.

But lets take the wood shavings most feel are safe, such as Aspen.



so why is Aspen no good?

And Teresa, I understand the point you are making with cut uncut trees. But dont they live in tree cavities? Of course some of those cavities are formed by rotting wood, broken limbs etc, but are some made by birds? Arent there some "cut wood" bits in there? I also understand the point about the types of trees they live in. I actually bought euc shavings, very expensive. The gliders couldnt have cared less LOL
Posted By: Dancing

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/27/12 02:54 PM

Aspen has a very low "oil" content to it. I know it is a favorite type of wood to burn in wood stoves because it has very little "pitch" and doesn't pop and crackle. It doesn't contain the same types of phenols that ever greens have. So most (that I have talked to) do consider Aspen safe for bedding for animals.

Another thing to consider with wild gliders vs captive. Wild gliders have stronger immune systems. They start off as joeys getting the boosted immune system milk from their mothers. The wild gliders have generations of "exposure immunity" to things our captive gliders don't. It helps them to resist many of the problems that our captive gliders could have.

Many of the early Native Americans lost their lives to diseases brought over from the Europeans because they had never been exposed to them (even in small amounts) and had zero immunity to them (such as small pox).
Posted By: Michaelpinkelman

Re: Wood Shavings? - 08/26/13 12:44 AM

When I got my WFB male the lady had him in a small hamster cage with pine shavings... As soon as I left I kept him in my pocket and dumped the pine shavings out.. I just don't see the benefit to using wood shavings with gliders better off with newspaper and its always laying around lol
Posted By: jones_family

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/17/14 06:06 AM

So I'm a new glider parent and pine wood shavings were given to me along with the cage. The previous owner always used them. From what I see here, these are really bad for the bottom of the cage! Yikes! So what am I supposed to put at the bottom? Thanks for your help!
Posted By: JillMarie

Re: Wood Shavings? - 05/17/14 07:15 AM

Originally Posted By: jones_family
So what am I supposed to put at the bottom? Thanks for your help!


Some examples of what is used in the bottom tray:
Nothing
Fleece
Newspaper (I dont condone this, but have used it myself in the past, but dont think its a good idea with the ink)
Bird cage tray liners

Just to name a few.
Posted By: konasmommy11

Re: Wood Shavings? - 09/05/14 12:30 AM

I have also considered the shavings but after research I've decided not to. And while I did research I also found out that some sources didn't approve of newspapers because of ink or any liners in fear that the sugar glider would tear them apart/chew on them. Just some things I picked up while reading smile
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