Pine and Cedar Bedding: Unsafe for Pets
Softwood (pine and cedar) shavings are one of the most widely available beddings for small mammals and exotics; years ago, wood shavings were one of the only readily available, commercially produced beddings marketed specifically to owners of small pets. Because pine and cedar chips are familiar and easily obtained, many people choose these materials as bedding for their pets.
Unfortunately, these beddings are not the best choice for small pets. Scientific studies, informal studies conducted by small pet clubs and breeders, and the experience of many pet owners, all suggest that pine and cedar chips are unsafe as bedding for pets. The oils released into the air by these woods (the very same oils that give them their pleasant smell) have been observed to cause changes in the liver and to irritate the respiratory tract of small animals. Changing the cage frequently and keeping the bedding fresh and clean – while a good idea, no matter what type of bedding you use – won’t diminish the negative effects of long-term exposure.
Many articles have been written on this subject; here are a few links:
Litter Boxes and Liver Disease (from the House Rabbit Society)
The Toxicity of Pine and Cedar Shavings (from the Rat Fan Club)
Pet stores use wood shavings as bedding. Should I? (part of the 'Ferret FAQ' from Ferret Central)
If you have questions after reading these articles, please feel free to contact the Animal Hospital of Warwick, at 215-343-5300. We will be happy to discuss your concerns and help you in choosing an appropriate bedding for your pet. Below are a few questions we’ve heard before . . .
But I’ve always used pine shavings for my pets! Why haven’t I seen a problem before?
You may have, and not realized it. Many small pets hide their symptoms, and some of the negative effects of pine and cedar bedding – like changes in the liver – don’t have any obvious symptoms until the problem is very far advanced. A pet who passed on from “old age” may have had undiagnosed respiratory or liver problems. Other health problems may be made worse by the stress placed on a pet’s body by pine or cedar bedding, and the role played by the inappropriate bedding may not be readily apparent. If your pet is living on pine or cedar now, and seems utterly healthy and content – that’s good! Now is the time to change beddings, before you start to see problems.
If pine and cedar are so bad, why do pet stores sell them? If a reputable store sells a product, doesn’t that mean it’s safe?
Unfortunately, no. Products made for pets are far less regulated, in many cases, than products made for humans. Reputable pet stores will try to offer only safe and healthy products, but they may rely on government regulation or information from manufacturers to tell them which products are safe and appropriate. As a responsible pet owner, your standards for your pet’s health and safety are likely to be much higher. This is true not only of beddings, but of many other products as well – everything from packaged foods to parasite control products to cages. Just because it’s on the shelf doesn’t mean it’s good for your pet! Educate yourself about the needs of your pet, use your common sense, and when it doubt, ask your veterinarian.
But my pet is older, and used to her cedar chips – won’t changing them upset her? Is there any point to changing beddings now?
Any change in a pet’s routine may be upsetting, but in this case, the health benefits of using a different bedding far outweigh the temporary disturbance the change may cause your pet. Most pets adjust to a new bedding with no problem at all, and yes, it’s better for your pet to use a safe and healthy bedding from now on, no matter how long you’ve been using pine or cedar. If your pet is so upset by the new bedding that he or she stops eating, playing, or using the litterbox, try mixing the old and new bedding and making the switch more gradually – and get your pet to a veterinarian! Even if you think you know what’s causing it, your pet should see a vet any time he or she stops eating or has a major change in behavior.
So if I shouldn’t use pine or cedar chips for bedding, what should I use?
Beddings made from recycled paper, like Yesterday’s News, Cell-Sorb Plus, or Good Mews are safe. Good Mews is a cat litter; Yesterday’s News and Cell-Sorb Plus are packaged as a cat litter as well as a small animal litter . Unlike clay litter, paper-based cat litters are safe as bedding for small animals. Aspen wood shavings or Aspen Supreme pellets are also safe, as aspen is a hard wood and does not give off the same harmful oils as pine and cedar. CareFRESH bedding is also made from safe wood pulp fibers, and is healthy for pets. Any of these beddings, or different brands made from the same materials, are recommended.Corncob bedding does not have the same harmful effects as pine or cedar, but it can cause obstructions of the gastrointestinal tract if eaten, and may grow harmful mold (any bedding can mold, but corncob seems especially prone to it). Therefore, we do not recommend it. Shredded paper is safe so long as it contains no harmful dyes or inks, but it soils very quickly and does little to control odor. Clay or silicon cat litters should not be used as bedding for small animals or exotics. Any litter that is designed to clump should not be used as bedding for small animals or exotics, though there are clumping litters marketed for small animals.
I switched from cedar chips to paper bedding like you suggested, and now my pet’s cage smells! I think the cedar worked better!
It didn’t – it just fooled your nose! Pine and cedar oils have a strong odor that many people find pleasant, and this odor can mask the smell of ammonia from pet urine. It hasn’t actually controlled the build-up of ammonia; it’s just covered it up with another, stronger smell. This may sound like a good thing, but really it’s not, because ammonia build-up isn’t good for you or your pet. Just like the oils in the pine and cedar themselves, ammonia can irritate your pet’s respiratory system – and yours – whether you can smell it or not. A dirty cage also allows bacteria to build up, increasing your pet’s risk of a variety of infections, and soiled bedding can irritate your pet’s skin. Odd as this may sound, if you’re noticing that your pet’s cage needs changing more often to avoid unpleasant odors, that’s good - because it needed the more frequent changing all along, and now you know about it.
Have a question or concern we haven’t answered here? Give us a call! 215-343-5300