Pine Shavings and Mice?

I keep hearing pine shavings are bad for mice because of chemicals. I used pine shavings once (before I knew any better) and they worked great. They absorbed everything kept the smell to a minimum. The mice were active and didn't seem in any way affected by them. It is so easy to use the pine shavings because we keep ducks and they live in them.





Has anybody used pine shavings with mice? What do you all think? Don't bother suggesting anything though, i know which types to buy. I just rather go in my garage and get the pine shavings than go to the store and spend the extra money if I don't have to.

Pine Shavings and Mice?
The dispute with Pine and Cedar is the Phenols. Some research has been interpreted to show that rats/mice kept on pine/cedar shavings absorb phenols through their body and it has detrimental effects on their kidney/liver function. Other people have looked at the same data and said that the levels weren't elevated enough to state that it was definitely the pine/cedar causing it, only that there was something slightly wrong with the kidney/liver stats.


I won't link any sites to either way, because I'm not sold either way currently on that issue. There are too many 'compelling' lists of data for both sides. Theres also alot of dispute in the reptile community on pine/cedar and snakes. Most people say its a bad idea.





HOWEVER. I personally don't keep small animals on any type of aromatic hardwood (pine/cedar). Rats and mice are both very small animals that both get Mycoplasma, a respiratory infection. Most rats and mice carry the bacteria and its a matter of husbandry to keep them from having an outbreak of it. That being said, inhaling the aromatics (pine/cedar) irritates the lining of the lungs and can make the rat/mouse more prone to myco flare ups. To me, the smell would be like filling your sink with pine-sol and just locking yourself in the bathroom with it. I wouldn't want to live with it. Its really just a judgement call on your part.
Reply:i have been breeding mice and rats for a few year and i have always used pine with them with no problems many littlers have been born though the years but if you mice are feeders never use CEDAR it can kill a snake
Reply:Do you mean pine shaving in there bed or litter tray? anyway.


Bed: yes fine





Litter tray: use normal mouse litter and put bi-carb soda over it it will keep the smell off for at least and extra 3 days.
Reply:Pine shavings are only ok if they are KILN DRIED. They are fine like that but otherwise dont. Many a mouse have died on just pine that isnt kiln dried.


Good luck! %26lt;3