What’s wrong with pine shavings?

[Aeyja]

Forgive my ignorance, but what is wrong with pine wood shavings? This is the only site where I have seen anything negative to do with them. Pine shavings are all that are available in my area as far as I am aware.

[Willow_Bunny]

I’ve read that there is something about the aromatic aspect of pine that creates negative enzymes in their livers that can make them sick. I know that’s really vague and I’m a newbie when it comes to rabbits, but I would suggest researching it for yourself. It’s a highly discussed topic and it can be interesting to read the different opinions. However, I’ve decided that I’d rather not chance it and have replaced my bun’s pine shavings.

[MoveDiagonally]

Pine shavings release phenols that alter a rabbits liver function. It can reduce the effectiveness of medications by 40% or more and may cause liver disease.Kiln drying removes the phenols so some pine products are safe, like pine pellets.

Personally I think shavings make lousy litter anyway. Pine pellets (wood stove pellets or equine stall pellets) are really cheap, effective and safe. Other litters like recycled newspaper pellet litters and Carefresh are also good.

[Willow_Bunny]

Thanks MoveDiagonally! I couldn’t think of the proper word! Phenols. That’s what it is.

[Aeyja]

Why do you think pine shavings make lousy litter MoveDiagonally? Aside from the health issues obviously. Where do you get the pellets from?

[LBJ10]

Pine shavings aren’t very absorbent, so that’s what MD meant. You can get pine pellet litter at pet stores (sold as cat litter) or a feed store (sold as horse stall bedding).

[MoveDiagonally]

You can get pine pellets at a hardware store (untreated woodstove pellets) or at pet shops (FelinePine) or feed stores (Equine Pine, Dry Den, ect…). The cheapest is probably the hardware store. I buy mine at a feed store because it’s close to my house and get 50lbs for $4-5.

I just don’t like the wood shavings (Aspen shavings are bunny safe) as a matter preference. They just seem to lack absorption. I’m sure some people like bunny safe wood shavings.

Edited to add: LBJ said it before I could!

[Aeyja]

I went to a pet shop this afternoon and couldn’t find any pellets, but they did have aspen shavings and Carefresh. Unfortunately these were at least 4x the price of the pine

I have found a couple of listings on TradeMe, would these be ok?
http://www.trademe.co.nz/pets-animals/rabbits-guinea-pigs/other/auction-744035583.htm
http://www.trademe.co.nz/pets-animals/rabbits-guinea-pigs/other/auction-742914779.htm

This is what I’m using at the moment, it says it is kiln dried.
http://www.kaytee.com/products/pine-bedding-litter.php

[hiskatey93]

I heard pine are bad because they can cause respiratory problems… But I have heard nothing about Aspen shavings… Are Aspen shavings alright?

[MoveDiagonally]

I think either of those would work. Do you know anyone that has a pellet stove? The pellets used for those (as long as they don’t have any fuel on them) is the same as the pine pellets and might be cheaper. Are there any hardware stores near you? That could be a good place to call or check as well.

hiskatey – Aspen shavings are fine.

[Aeyja]

No I don’t know anyone with a pellet stove, but I have seen bags of pellets at hardware stores so will look at them. Given the fact that my bun eats everything in sight, as opposed to just chewing, would the two litters listed above be ok? He has tummy issues so need to be very careful with what he eats.

[Stickerbunny]

If he eats the litter, you can make a litter screen out of hardware cloth (very small metal mesh fence-like material), which will block the litter, but allow liquids to still hit the litter. Just be sure to file and fold down the edges, as it is sharp if you do not.

Horse owners may also have access to pine pellets, as it is used as stall lining. If there are any horses around you. 

[Aeyja]

I’m thinking about ordering this, as it’s just too expensive to source from within NZ. Is this a good price? And how does it compare with the white or coloured Carefresh?

http://www.amazon.com/Carefresh-Natural-Premium-Bedding-Liter/dp/B000256DS6/ref=pd_bxgy_petsupplies_text_z
EDIT: Scratch that, shipping is nearly $60

 

That is a good idea Stickerbunny, I will have a look for something like that. As for the pine pellets, I still haven’t seen them anywhere. Will keep an eye out though.

[Usagi1618]

I recommend Carefresh, bet litter I have tried. Great with odors and way more absorbent than generic brands.

[Jo Leigh]

Hi Aeyja,

I am from NZ as well. The Warehouse sells something very similar to Carefresh. It is usually $11.99 for 14 liters but when I got some last Wednesday it was down to $3. Like Carefresh, it is made from virgin wood pulp, is dust free and has great odor control. 

Hope this helps 

[Aeyja]

Hi Jo Leigh do you know the name of it? I’m on the website at the moment and can’t find anything like that :/

Where in NZ are you?

These are what I found today:

[Jo Leigh]

Here is the link: http://www.thewarehouse.co.nz/red/catalog/product/Healthy-Pet-Animal-Bedding-Small-14L?SKU=1711988

[LabAgility]

I use kiln dried pine shavings in my Californian’s litter box. I like it best out of everything I have used.

I did all the research, including scientific journals before deciding to try it a year or so ago. I did the reading because I did not understand why pine pellets were fine, but shavings were not. The kiln drying is the key.

Winston has a big litter box and I dump it every 3 days. He also eats his hay in there which I buy by the bale so I do not use it sparingly, covering the shavings with ample hay.

Other products cost more so I tried to use the litter more sparingly. I much prefer completely dumping the litter box into my compost pile, hosing it out and refilling the box with shavings and a thick layer of grass hay.

[Aeyja]

Thanks Jo Leigh, that’s really cheap! How long does one bag last you? Also, is it ok if the rabbit eats it? Mine’s an eater, not a chewer… :/

LabAgility, the stuff that I get is kiln dried (according to their website), but I can’t use too much hay because I’m allergic.

[Aeyja]

Today is the last day of them being $3 so I’m about to go and buy ALL THE BAGS

[LBJ10]

The recycled paper litter is just fine. It looks like it’s similar to Yesterday’s News.

[Jo Leigh]

Oh damn! I wish I had stocked up now! I’ve only had my bunny for a week so not sure how long a bag will last yet

[Aeyja]

I ended up getting 10 bags hehe. It’s looking like a bag will last a little over a week judging by how much I’ve used

[Aeyja]

Double post, score 

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