Hi
I plan to build an outdoor hutch and I know most are made of pine. Can I use cedar (knowing the rabbit will chew on it)? Is that ok?
regards
ronbo404
I heard that cedar is not good for rabbits. If you do use cedar, you could provide some bits of branches in the hutch to distract the rabbit from chewing on the hutch.
It is the Aromatic oils in the cedar that is bad for the rabbits...and any other small animals...the oils cause respitory tract problems.
I am just starting to hear a few bad things about pine to but I still use pine as bedding, I have for pretty much all the small animals I have had, and haven\'t had any problems.
The Vets tell you to stay away from the cedar and go with pine or a hardwood such as aspen(for shavings mind you) I think using aspen for the hutch would get pretty expensive....
I know this is an older post but just thought to add my two cents.
Angel
Angel,
Thanks for your post. I was wanting to know more on this subject. I like using Aspen for litter because I garden and it works great for mulch around my flowers, and rabbit waste make great fertilizer. Since the Aspen does double duty, I don\'t think of it as expensive.
I wish someone who knows something about building supplies would answer this one. Does cedar loose it\'s oil after it is weathered? Would making sure a hutch has a good vent system help avoid problems? Is there a way to make cedar lumber safe for rabbits?
I think it keeps a fair amount of the oils...because you can buy all those cedar bit and peices that are usually carved to go in your drawers to keep the moths out, they last for quite a while...not to sure if it is treated though, or how different trteatments would affect it, or even if it is safe to use it if it is treated(might be nasty chemicals for bunny)
could ask at like home depot or something...maybe I will when I go pick up some crafts and stuff for my daughters birthday.
Angel