|
Post by deguconvert on Dec 9, 2008 15:31:27 GMT
This sticky is going to be under revision over the next little while. There is a lively discussion on the forum right now regarding safe woods, known, those discovered by forum members, and those that may require further research. I will try to keep a current list of those that have been . . . mmmm . . . determined as good.
PLEASE!! When introducing anything NEW to your Degus diet, use small amounts, and GO SLOWLY. This will protect your Degus from discomfort, or illness if the new item disagrees with them.
Right now we have for our list: Birch Aspen Weeping Willow Kiln dried Pine Hazel Hawthorn Hazelnut Pear Plum Oak Cherry Bamboo
Are there others and I have missed them somehow? PM me!
Degutopia features a list of toxic woods, but we have been learning that there are many woods that are safe, so we will be using our new and growing list (above) exclusively on this site.
|
|
|
Post by taipan on Dec 29, 2008 16:08:38 GMT
|
|
kimmy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 113
|
Post by kimmy on Dec 29, 2008 16:34:00 GMT
|
|
|
Post by taipan on Dec 29, 2008 16:39:55 GMT
if there made from kiln dried pine there fine. that is what most shelves and ledges are made of. so i would imagine they are made from it also.
|
|
kimmy
Foraging Degu
Posts: 113
|
Post by kimmy on Dec 29, 2008 17:19:17 GMT
Ok thanks thats cool i"ll order some then thought i"d make sure ;D
|
|
|
Post by phe on Dec 29, 2008 23:32:47 GMT
hay guys... i heard that hawthorne wood was ok for them n that they like to chew the spikes off, do u reckon its true? my dad just chopped down a hedge of hawthorne so theres loads of it xxx xxx x
|
|
Stacy
Newborn Degu
Posts: 21
|
Post by Stacy on Dec 30, 2008 20:03:35 GMT
We have got buddlia branches in our cage... now im wondering if they were just missed off the list because they are not overly used or if they are actually ok...
it would be handy to have a list of known good woods...
|
|
|
Post by diggory on Jan 3, 2009 9:14:18 GMT
d**n i just bought a big stack of Willow branches from P@H for them to gnaw on. Wish they would make it clear that its not safe for all small pets, they do sell degus after all! Muppets.
|
|
|
Post by iggypop13 on Sept 10, 2009 20:13:32 GMT
Like so many of these pet stores bad advice killes, I get very upset with the lack of nolage and incorrect dangerious nolage ther is given, makes my blood pressure go skyward, dont be affraid to pick up a book infrount of a custmer if need be at least it shows you care enough to find out, iv corrected some one about reptiles it didnt go down well but at least It wont end up on my doorstep because the rspca dont no where to turn, ive seen too many critters suffer through these type of stores sorry for the rant
|
|
|
Post by yamazumi on Sept 27, 2009 17:46:37 GMT
Anyone know about rhododendrons and sweet chestnut?
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Sept 27, 2009 18:32:40 GMT
Rhodes belong in the evergreen family and it is my understanding that they are very toxic to degus, so I would avoid them. I am uncertain about the sweet chestnut. I really don't know what to tell you about that one. I would avoid it until you can find out clear and decisive information regarding it's saftey for degus.
|
|
|
Post by yamazumi on Sept 27, 2009 21:16:57 GMT
Well horse chestnut are harmful towards them, so I guess sweet might be too. I've just been trying to think of trees I have access to that aren't on the toxic list. I just wondered about the rhodes because when I was out today there was a lot of huge ones and they have very interesting shaped branches.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Sept 28, 2009 0:35:02 GMT
Yeah, they are very cool. I love Rhodes. I sure wish they could grow in my area of geography, but we are too high, too dry, and too cold. So, I have to enjoy them on vacations etc. However, I would refrain from giving them to your goos.
|
|
|
Post by otismiles117 on Feb 28, 2010 15:25:17 GMT
wait...what about aspen bedding?
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Feb 28, 2010 19:11:03 GMT
Aspen is fine. The trembling aspen is a problem, yes, but there are many different species of aspen, and I have always been told that aspen bedding is good. However, if it makes you uneasy, use another option. Carefresh, and a whole bunch of other recycled paper beddings are great. Have a look around and see what you see. Several of us here line our cages with old towels and/or fleece, which we swap out with clean things about every 3 days or so.
|
|
|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on Mar 18, 2010 18:12:44 GMT
I have read through this list of many occasions and happen to strongly dissagree about Birch wood being unsafe. I have talked to the Degutopia site founder (Chloe) through one of the important members and got no conclusive answer as to why they classify Birch as being unsafe for degus.
I was told, that birch is toxic for mice and that some humans are heavily allergic to birch tree branches...nothing degu related. Every trusted german website, point out to birch wood as being one of the safest woods for degus. As we know, degus were first domesticated in Germany and it is there that they are most commonly kept as household pets. I have spoken to many highly experience degus owners...all of which recommend the use of Birch tree branches in the degu cage.
Degutopia is the only site on the web that says otherwise. Now that Degutopia is recognized as being the largest english degu forum, other smaller sites are simply copy/pasting their info from there...spreading the claim that birch is unsafe.
Funny, because I speak to german and french degu owners all the time...many of them have been keeping degus for decades and have had no problems using birch.
|
|
|
Post by deguconvert on Mar 19, 2010 2:30:04 GMT
That is very interesting to hear, and I thank you for mentioning it! I too had heard that birch was OK, but then read on Degutopia about it not being safe . . . and was conflicted. So . . . hearing from you that German and French degu owners are confident in it's safety greatly improves it's standing.
|
|
tanyajk85
Burrowing Degu
Lyra, Lola, Luna, Leti & Lexy [url=https://postimg.org/image/dwub0fayl/][img]https://s6.postimg.cc/3zja7d3cx/heart.gif[/img][/url] my 5 lovey ladies R.I.P my beautiful Lily
Posts: 228
|
Post by tanyajk85 on May 27, 2010 15:56:47 GMT
hey!
just wondering why it says on degutopia that plywood is dangerous for degus but when looking at building a cage it suggests using ply wood? arrgh very confusing? is it ok for them or not? degutopia seems to contradict some of the stuff that ive read on here?
help :S tanya xxx
|
|
|
Post by NightwishRaven999 on May 27, 2010 16:02:39 GMT
Hi Tanya Yes, plywood is no good for the degus to chew on. This wood contains glue between the thin sheets and is not suited for chewing. However, the cage you want to build is chew proof. Since the degus will be unable to chew on the cage structure, plywood is highly suitable for building the cage. On the other hand, the levels of the cage are not chew-proof, so you will want something safe like Kiln dried pine. The three most common woods for building a cage would be Pine, Plywood and MDF. If you use pine, stick your nose to the sheet of wood before you purchase it. You should not be able to smell the resin. If you do, look for something else. Its very important the pine be dried and all the resin be removed.
|
|
|
Post by emz on May 27, 2010 17:54:58 GMT
As a note to people (I think I have said this before somewhere but it was ages ago) sometimes I have bought kiln dried softwood from Wickes for things and sometimes there is weeping knots in the wood and they still contain a lot of resin So if you buy thick pieces even if it is dried in a kiln there can still be resin.
|
|