Rabbit Web Discussion Board

Are pine shavings safe for rabbits?

no no no
never use pine or cedar.

Ryo is basically correct - particularly for house rabbits, as they are indoors which tends to contain the elements found in cedar and pine shavings.

The phenols in the softwood (pine and cedar) shavings causes changes in the liver\'s enzymes. Your rabbit\'s liver tries to remove the phenols by producing more of certain enzymes that destroy these chemicals; this is a natural part of your rabbit\'s defense against enviromental toxins. Our bodies always produces a low constant level of these protective agents; the problem occurs when constant exposure to pine phenols causes the rabbits to produce substantially larger quantities.

I guess the key here is CONSTANT. I have used pine shaving for years and have not seen any problems, however...

• My rabbits are housed in an outside shed with LOTS of ventilation
• I only use the shavings as a litter base for my nest boxes
• The exposure is relatively short in duration
  

My litters thrive. My rabbits are healthy. The bunnies grow and develop well. You have to realize that I have raised rabbits over 41 years. While I have certainly changed some of my practices over the years; i.e., earlier weaning (better for the doe) and rebreeding 1 hour following the initial mating to increase conception and litter size (as opposed to the prior recommendation of 6 hours), I just wasn\'t seeing the problem with the pine shavings (I don\'t use cedar as the rabbits do seem to show signs of irritation). Shredded paper wouldn\'t last or perform very well as nest box bedding (ugh!), shredded cotton clothing (same problem), hay and straw (I do use these in combination with the shavings which works very well). The hay or straw is not nearly as absorbant as the shavings, but the hay (much preferred over straw), mixes much better with the doe\'s fur and insulates very well against the cold. Pelleted bedding is too expensive for this application, but I know several folks who use it in the carrier trays when taking rabbits to shows. Aspen shavings would be great, but I can\'t get it in bales in my area which is how I buy my shavings.

Again, if I had a house rabbit, knowing the research, I wouldn\'t use pine shavings. Aspen would be my choice.

Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com

Thanks for the information. They were out of Aspen at the pet shop and so I ended up at the farm supply store where I got some dried pine shavings very cheap for the litter boxes. My rabbits are outside with great ventilation and so I guess it should be fine. Aspen is my first choice, even if it is more expensive because it makes great mulch around my flowers, and I don\'t have to keep filling up my garbage cans. At the farm supply store during the winter they sell wood fuel pellets. They smell a lot like the pine shavings and a lot of house rabbit people buy the pellets for litter. The price is about $5 for 40 pounds. I like to sprinkle a few pellets on top of the Aspen because they fall apart when they get wet and it is easier to tell when the litter has been soiled. I have also heard that pellet litter like \"Feline Pine\" is alright for rabbits because all the oils have been removed in the processing, but I don\'t know for sure. The pine shaving I bought also have the oil removed.

That\'s correct. There is a heat treatment process that removes the harmful elements found in pine shavings.

Charlcie Gill
Zodiac Rabbitry
Astoria, OR
http://www.zodiacsatins.com

I\'m not sure I understand. Does the heat treatment remove just the oils or does it remove the phenols as well?

The heat treatment removes phenols, but not entirely. Certain studies show that rats (living in direct contact with the heat treated shavings), still show some elevated liver enzyme levels.

Charlcie

Pine and cedar shavings ARE safe to use

\"The phenols in the softwood (pine and cedar) shavings causes changes in the liver\'s enzymes.\"

The changes are induction of HME which is a normal process in the body and not a sign of damage. More in depth info is located at http://www.geocities.com/heavyhitter1.geo/Pine.html
HME induction or suppression is caused by a number of things including time of day, reproductive status, strain, season. Grapefruit juice can induce HME. Again this isn\'t a sign that there is a problem.

My rabbits are housed inside my garage, not alot of ventilation, I used to use pine shavings before I went to a flush system, no problems ever with the shavings. The pine shaving thing is just a myth created I suspect to make certain groups stand out from breeder\'s groups.

And what study said that heat treated shavings still caused elevated liver enzymes? From my research I found that the studies said heat treated softwood did NOT induce HME. My link goes to my article and all references are included.

Despite what hrs says, they are fine. Its cedar id stay away from. If you still aren\'t sure, go with the kiln dried products. Tsc tractor supply carries kiln dried pine.

I am sorry but i really do not agree with the two of you that say pine is fine. Its not so much the strong scent of the pine as it id the DUST. The Pine throws off a lot of DUST and that affects the respitratory tract and can have your rabbit showing symptoms similar to pasturella. Runny nose, wiping nose with paws, watery, itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing. I have had several bunnies in pine and they all showed allergies to the pine DUST!