Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Pine bedding?

My fault, I accidently said cedar over pine, so is pine okay for bedding for a hamster or would the hamster be better off with recycled bedding? Can Pine still give them respitory problems or no? I was told by many people including where I got her to use Pine and I have been but she just died Tuesday and I have a whole bag of Pine bedding I haven't used so is it ok to use the Pine for the newest hamster I'll be getting or am I better off with recycled?

Pine bedding?
I answereyou other question about cedar a few mintutes ago. I see you deleted it after I answered the question so I hope you read it.





Cedar and pine became popular for pet bedding material because they are good at controlling odor. However, There is strong scientific evidence that pine and cedar shavings are harmful to the health of rodents. The acids given off by pine and cedar shavings are very damaging to the respiratory tract. These acids can actually destroy cells that line the lungs. Pine and cedar toxins also affect humans and other animals. People who work in cedar and pine sawmills have a much higher incidence of asthma compared to workers in other dusty environments or those without any dust exposure. Several studies have shown that rodents kept on softwood beddings have elevated levels of liver enzymes. The liver is the body's detoxification system, and elevated liver enzymes indicate that the body is working harder to eliminate toxins. Exposure to toxins is a stress on the body and constant stress can result in depressed or altered immune function. Their has also been lower reproductive rates.





As I said before, pine is just as bad as cedar. Many people say that they didn't notice anything or it didn't affect their hamster. Sometimes you can't TELL by how it acts. Some are more resistant but the effects are damaging just the same. It will make your hamster less immune and they are very likely to get ill. Compare two people in a family. One person may be allergic to peanut butter and another member may not. In another family, both or non could be allergic. Because you don't know your hamsters genetics and how they will react, I suggest you don't try. I would rather not expose my hamster to something that is dangerous. No matter what, it will affect them which can decrease how long they live. You don't need to worry about it if you get a recycled bedding or a pellet bedding like Carefresh or Aspen.
Reply:Pine isn't as bad as cedar, but it still has oils and dust. I had a hamster who cut his foot, and it kept getting infected over and over. My vet told me to stop using the pine bedding, and it was so much cleaner in the cage without all that dust. The recycled paper bedding is great, or you can just use several layers of white paper towels and the hamster will shred its own bed during the night.
Reply:BOTH pine and cedar are dusty and contain high levels of phenols which are known to cause respiratory disease and even death.





I would suggest throwing out the bedding you have left and buying something which is actually safe.





Check out this guide for more info:


http://www.hamsterific.com/BeddingGuide....
Reply:pine and cedar can both cause respiratory problems for hamsters. i've always used aspen bedding, and it is fine. or a lot of people just use whatever's in the paper shredder, but i think aspen is the best. i always add some tissues and they like to rip them up and use them wherever they sleep.


-hope this helps! %26lt;3
Reply:I've had hamsters since I was 5(now owning 43) and despite every bad thing people say about shavings, I have NEVER had ANY problem with it and I've never used anything different. Just don't use cedar. That can be harmful. If you get pine bedding, get the good stuff.
Reply:I say you should use CareFresh. Pine can cause respitory problems.
Reply:DO NOT USE PINE!!!!!!i think thats what killed my hamster just now.(10 min. ago)


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