Safe Wood

[Amethystbelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by charlieb86 i've had my three boys for just over a year now and they love the cherry brances i give them, a silly question (as i'm always trying learning new things for them) how long should i dry the brances out before giving them to them?

Drying out for a couple of hours in a hot oven on a low heat should probably do the job i should imagine, its to make sure there is no sap left which contains the cyanide

[Amethystbelle]

Quote: Originally Posted by Rhapsody I found some good cherry branches on Ebay that I am going to purchase for them to chew on..... they are made for animals (and) then I am going down town to cut me off some long Willow tree branches for my Degu's to climb on - I will twist a few of them together to ensure they are sturdy.

Be careful with willow as some willows (white willows in particular) contain an aspirin like substance that isn't good for animals

[shortfat]

LOL! Disappointed because I really dig the Chimichanga and I want a Peter Pan life expectancy

Off to get apple branches to replace the wire mesh ladder!

[charlieb86]

thanks for that info, i hope there gonna b ok from the other brances i gave them...

[Rhapsody]

Quote: Originally Posted by Amethystbelle Be careful with willow as some willows (white willows in particular) contain an aspirin like substance that isn't good for animals

How do I tell which is which? - for the trees are in a public park - walking area, therefore, I do not know what kind of Willow tree it is.... just that it is a Willow.

[Amethystbelle]

There are two types of willow red and white, red willows are safe whereas white willows have an aspirin like substance in them. As far as i know reed and bush willow such as the ones used for basket weaving are the safe options and the ones usually found in pet stores / online stores