Is grapewood safe for degus?

[khay]

I really want my degs to have a BIG branch

But the only woods I've been able to find so far that are big enough to make me happy (ahem) are manzanita (Is that safe? ) and grapewood

[Sunshinemeg]

i dont know about those woods, but I do know that apple trees provide good branches that are safe.

[khay]

Alright thanks, problem is I can't find large apple branches anywhere either Do you know of anywhere online that sell them?

[Sunshinemeg]

What about taking a walk in the woods sometime? you never know what you would find then, but I didnt suggest that!!!

[khay]

lol

Our forests are full of pine and spruce trees Is spruce okay? O.O

I was eyeing someone's apple tree in their front yard the other day LOL I thought "they wont miss one branch" but I didn't know if they used pesticides so I forced myself to walk away lol *blush* I was thinking of knocking on their door, asking if they used pesticides....If not, could I buy a branch? lol O.O

[Sunshinemeg]

Hey why not, Im sure someone would spare you a branch! Ask around, see if anyone you know has an apple tree! And I will go on a hunt for other types of wood that are ok for you!!

[Sunshinemeg]

Well how about this, taken from www.chincare.com

wood safe for chinchillas, I would assume also safe for degus:

1. arbutus
2. aspen
3. bamboo
4. barberry
5. bois d'arc or horse apple
6. chinese dogwood- cornus species
7. cottonwood
8. crabapple
9. dogwood
10. elm
11. fruit trees: apple, pear, kiwi, grape, lyches, loquat
12. horsewood
13. hazelnut
14. hawthorn
15. larch
16. magnolia
17. manzanita
18. mulberry
19. pecan
20. poplar
21. willow

[khay]

Oooooooooooohhhhhhhhhhhh thanks!!! Poplar is safe? We have tons of poplar trees lining our yard that we could cut branches from and disinfect.

[divegirl]

Hi, when you say grapewood.......is that as in grape vines? Have just cut down some really thick stems from the garden and was gonna burn them......but........will wait for an answer!

[Sunshinemeg]

Im not sure, as the info comes from the site I referenced, it would be best if you asked there to be certain. Sorry

[Aimeelou]

Maybe there is somthing on the web that can tell us the actual compound of grapewood, then we can all decide wether its safe?

[ILoveMyDegus!]

Right now I use willow, they seem to love it. Does anyone know specifically what woods AREN'T safe for them? I thought I read somewhere that there were at least two, but now I don't remember what they were...