What kind of bedding do you use? - Paw Talk

Denise · #1 02-28-2003, 02:14 PM

Sassy · #2 02-28-2003, 02:23 PM

I use kiln dried pine as well.

#3 02-28-2003, 02:46 PM

The same, we used to have this bedding that was kinda like really big wooden pellets, but the chins were eating them.

Sassy · #4 02-28-2003, 08:13 PM

Pokey there is a great exotics vet in Germantown. I will get her name and address and PM you with it, she is the one that Shianne uses also.

Chrisanne · #5 02-28-2003, 08:58 PM

kiln dried pine here too

PokeyPokey · #6 02-28-2003, 08:59 PM

I use pine too but my one chinchilla has a weepy eye so we gave her antibiotics from the vet, they didn't work. We are going to switch her to aspen and switch her to dust sand since her mom had a weepy eye for dust bath. Hopefully it will work.

The vet we took her too was totally inexperienced with chinchillas. She tried to tell me pine was bad and could ruin their lungs like cedar...I was so pissed off. we definetly won't take my chins to her. She has never owned one or anything. She just does for them what she does for other rodents...It annoys the heck outta me.

DirtySouthChins · #7 02-28-2003, 09:44 PM

I use Kiln dried Pine for all my Chinnies, Degus, and Guinea Pigs

DirtySouthChins · #8 02-28-2003, 09:46 PM

Denise I forgot to mention that we get ours in BIG bales from a local feed store for about $4, but you can go to farm and fleet and get the same bale for about the same price, and the shavings are smaller, I like the one from Farm and Fleet better, just thought I would let ya know, since your in the chicago area

***Jade*** · #9 02-28-2003, 10:10 PM

Quote:


	Originally posted by PokeyPokey The vet we took her too was totally inexperienced with chinchillas. She tried to tell me pine was bad and could ruin their lungs like cedar...I was so pissed off. we definetly won't take my chins to her. She has never owned one or anything. She just does for them what she does for other rodents...It annoys the heck outta me.

Pokey, she was probably referring to non kiln dried pine. Pine with phenols still in it IS harmful. Always make sure your pine is kiln dried to kill mites and dry out the harmful oils/phenols.

PokeyPokey · #10 02-28-2003, 10:14 PM

Yeah I tried to explain that to her but no adult wants to listen to a 14 year old. She said pine period was bad for their lungs along with cedar. She said the only safe thing is carefresh.

chinkeep · #11 03-02-2003, 10:22 PM

Pokey,

You have to also remember that these vets read all of these articles that are published by research people and since it comes from research it has to be TRUE!, and chances are, some carefresh salesman has taken her to dinner and given her something to recommend their product. But, I beg to differ on the statement that kiln dried pine is not safe. Most of this "research" is done under extreme conditions that we would never keep our chins in. I'm going to trust what I have seen ranchers and smaller breeders doing for many, many years, and they have successfully used kiln dried pine shavings for a very long time. Yes, there are inevitably going to be chins out there that may have allergies to it, we humans have allergies to things, but it doesn't mean on the whole that something is bad for us. If you are using kiln dried pine shavings, then feel free to continue doing so, unless your chins are having problems, then maybe try aspen or another type of bedding. It could also be that your chin has a blocked tear duct or other problem which is causing the weepy eye.

Just my .02 worth!

Runt · #12 03-02-2003, 10:45 PM

I use the kiln dried pine too.I use it on all my pets.I think it is very good and my hammies love it.I get the big bale as well.

***Dena*** · #13 03-02-2003, 11:38 PM

I use Aspen for the bigger cage and I use All Pet Pine (kiln dried pine pellets. THey work really well if you have a drop in pan. They keep everything nice and dry. If it was a pull out pan I would just use aspen for that one too. I am changing the one chin to a wire bottom and a pull out pan since he pushes all the bedding out from under and away from him any way so I think the wire bottom will do better for him.

#14 03-03-2003, 09:27 AM

One of ours had eye problems from the dust we were using, always kinda weapy and crusted. We switched to a more sandlike dust bath and its all gone.

Denise · #15 03-03-2003, 12:09 PM

Hey Kim,

Thank you for the tip.

I currently buy my kiln dried pine from Animal Feeds n' Needs on Golf Road in Arlington Heights. It is a 40 pound bag for $7.