What kind of wood is safe for guinea pigs?
Among the safe woods are aspen, linden or basswood, poplar and kiln-dried white pine. In general, any soft, resinous or aromatic woods, such as air-dried pine, cedar, eucalyptus and redwood are not safe for your piggy.
Can guinea pigs chew on sticks from outside?
Untreated wood sticks or blocks are fine for your guinea pig, with the exception of pine and cedar which have strong odors, making for discomfort and possible lung damage. Paper towel or toilet paper rolls are also fine, but take off as much of any remaining adhesives prior to use.
Why does my guinea pig chew on wood?
Rabbits and guinea pigs can chew their hutch excessively if they are feeling bored or frustrated. This can be caused by not having regular interaction with other pets or people. It can also be caused by being in their hutch 24/7 and not having time outside or floor time to exercise.
Is it okay for guinea pigs to chew on cardboard?
As you know, your guinea pig is an herbivore—this means that they’re eating plant based foods, and they’re able to eat plant-based materials. This means that cardboard is perfectly safe for them to eat, since they’re made of paper.
What kind of wood is safe for guinea pigs to chew on?
Guinea pigs need to gnaw often to keep their teeth ground down to a reasonable size, and wood is the ideal solution. Avoid cedar and pine branches for the same reasons you shouldn’t use them as bedding. However, branches from hardwood trees such as oak, maple, elder and willow are safe to give your pet.
Is pine safe for guinea pigs?
Pine also gives off aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) that are harmful to guinea pigs. Kiln-dried pine gives off fewer phenols and may be used, although with the variety of bedding available, it is best to choose a bedding that gives off no known phenols. Don’t use pine.
What materials are safe for guinea pigs?
Suitable options for bedding include soft grass hay, fleece fabric, and shredded paper. Sawdust or wood shavings can cause respiratory issues and should be avoided. Straw should also be avoided as it does not absorb urine well and the hard stalks can cause injuries.
Can guinea pigs chew on any wood?
What wood do guinea pigs like to chew? To be honest, guinea pigs like chewing on all kinds of wood, but they especially like twigs from fruit trees. Just make sure that any branches or twigs you give your piggies haven’t been sprayed with any type of chemica.Safe Branches
- Maple – Safe to eat, with anti-inflammatory, detoxifying and anti-bacterial properties.
- Apple – Good for digestive problems, provides energy and supports wound healing.
- Apricot – Safe to feed.
- Birch – Good for urinary tract diseases as it stimulates the kidneys and is anti-inflammatory.
What materials are toxic to guinea pigs?
Certain bulb based vegetables are toxic to guinea pigs and should be avoided as are sunflower seeds. Dandelion, parsley, varieties of grass, clover & alfalfa sprouts. Carrot, turnip, cabbage, brussel sprouts, broccoli, cauliflower, corn, green beans, asparagus, celery, endive, kale, spinach, capsicum etc
Is it OK for guinea pigs to chew on wood?
It is absolutely fine for your guinea pigs to chew on wood. After all, in the wild, its exactly how they wear their teeth down. But what you need to remember is not all woods are suitable for guinea pigs. Cedar, redwood, pine and eucalyptus are just a few aromatic kinds of wood that aren’t safe for cavies.
What wood shavings can guinea pigs not have?
Whilst wood shavings are widely used as guinea pig bedding, be careful shavings made from pine and cedar may contain chemical nasties which can be toxic to guinea pigs. Untreated pine and cedar can cause guinea pig health issues including respiratory diseases and liver disease.
Can guinea pigs have wood cages?
Wooden Guinea Pig cages are a great option for a cavy. Because they tend to munch everything around them, it makes sense to surround them with natural, safe materials like wood. When looking for a wooden cage for a cavy, make sure it provides easy access so you can clean it thoroughly on a daily basis.
What can guinea pigs chew on for their teeth?
Wooden blocks (untreated wood only) or other guinea pig-specific items to chew on are a great option to keep them occupied and to keep their pearly whites healthy. Biting, chewing, and grinding helps to wear down the teeth and maintain a healthy length.
What wood can guinea pigs not eat?
In general, any soft, resinous or aromatic woods, such as air-dried pine, cedar, eucalyptus and redwood are not safe for your piggy. Although cedar and pine wood shavings are marketed for use in rodent cages, veterinarians and rodent enthusiasts discourage their use due to the phenols in the resin.
Why is my guinea pig biting his house?
In general, your ferry baby will chew on guinea pig cage because its teeth need to be exercised or because they are stressed or bored. It’s likely that you taught your pet to do this by paying attention to them. They may also chew owing to factors like guinea pig cage size, cage mates, and other factors.