Woods Toxic to Degus

[deguconvert]

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.

Right now we have for our list:
Birch
Aspen
Weeping Willow
White Willow
Goat Willow
Kiln dried Pine
Hazel
Hawthorn
Plum
Oak
Cherry
Bamboo
Lime/Linden
Pear

Are there others and I have missed them somehow? PM me!

Please click on the link provided below to find a comprehensive list of UNSAFE woods.

www.degutopia.co.uk/degutoxic.htm

[Tofuwarrior]

Thanks for that.

So if I get some wood from my mum's apple tree, I'd have to dry it before putting it in their cage as a perch?

[deguconvert]

You can put it in the oven at a low temp for a few hours and that will help. Like . . . 150 F? There abouts.

[debdegu]

are willow sticks of for degu?

[alexw1982]

That is a very long list!!! Any chance of a list of safe woods?? it will prob be a bit shorter.

[rob3rt]

it says in the link willow IS NOT safe because the "wood,dust,leaves and bark cause nausea and are respiratory sensitisers"
but i seen loads of people use it for they degus

[deguconvert]

There are several species of willow, and apparently some of them are considered safe . . . the thing is that most toys made of will do not list the species and there is no guarrantee of safety. So for that reason on this forum we discourage the use of it in any application.

[emz]

I actually hate that list. It is ambiguous and very confusing.

[deguconvert]

I kind of agree with you . . . I think it would be easier to have the rather limited list of safe woods and just say . . . anything NOT on this list is unsafe.

[emz]

Yes I agree. I wonder if asking Degutopia to make a short list of safe woods also would be of greater benefit? Like I want to be able to make my own wood toys on my boyfriend's C&C Machine but understanding which common "in the store wood" to use when using that list has always left me at a blank.

[deguconvert]

It certainly can't hurt!! Can you drop them a line? If I remember, I'll do likewise.

[emz]

I'll do it now before I forget.

[deguconvert]

Just did that myself! They are moderately bombarded.

[marmotta]

I've been giving my Goos willow sticks to chew. It is widely used for pet products. Degutopia says it is toxic! I am confused. Any advice welcome, thanks!

[deguconvert]

Willow is toxic to degus. Birch, as we now know thanks to Nightwishraven, is OK. If you have access to some birch trees, or apple/crabapple, those are good for their need to chew. Sorry I have been so long in getting to this question.

Just want to note that we now know that willow of many varieties is not toxic to degus (or other rodents).

[racingchick]

On the "Toxic Woods List" i noticed apple branches was not on the list, but above Elisa said you have to dry it first. Why do i need to dry the wood before putting it into the cage?

[NightwishRaven999]

@ ragingchick
Apple tree branches are safe for degus.
To answer your question, its always best to dry the wood before placing it in the degu cage.
If you purchase the wood sticks, chances are they have already been dried...but if you took them from a tree outside, its best put them in the oven for a bit.

This is merely a precaution to remove any parasites/bugs that may be hidding between the bark and the wood. Heating up the wood will also dry up any sap.
If you pick branches from a tree in a city, its always best to boil the branches to remove any pesticides that may have come in contact with the tree.

I do not think heating/boiling is an absolute must...but I do think it is a good precaution if you have picked the tree branches yourself. Apple tree branches that are sold at pet stores are already cleaned and dried...so they can be placed in the cage as they are.

[marmotta]

Thanks for the info! I've chucked out what I know to be willow branches and am preparing some birch from our garden for them! We have crabapple tree too so thanks for OKing that too!

BTW, I read on Deguworld.com that Bamboo is a safe wood for Degus. Any ideas if this is true, fellow degu-lovers???

[NightwishRaven999]

Bamboo is a very commonly used wood in Germany as well.
Its a very hard wood, and very beneficial for the teeth.

www.degus-online.de/english.htm
According to this trusted site, bamboo is safe.

"A cage should provide several layers to divide the territory in different parts. Beside shelves or something like that as seats (they should be affixed in a manner that a degu cannot fall from the highest point to the lowest), the cage should offer a lot of variety.
Branches, roots, clay pipes, clay flowerpots, cork, bamboo and stones are examples for useful accessories that may be used to provide an interesting environment. Pipes and cork can be hung up so that the degus have to reach them climbing.
Some owners put a wheel in the enclosure. If you do so, make sure that it is secure and big enough."

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Birch is not the only wood on the Degutopia, that has been debated. I know for a fact that Willow and Mopani wood are also very common.

Degutopia says that Willow leaves, dust, bark and wood causes nausea...and that Mopani is toxic.
The thing I do not understand is that most of the explanations they provide apply to humans and other animals.

Anyways...I just do not understand why this list contradicts every other site I have read on the internet.

www.degus-online.de/feed.htm
This same site, is just one among many that classify willow as being safe.

I understand its very confusing to those who only want what's best for their degus. The best advice I can give you is to find out as much as possible. Do not base your opinion on one site...instead, try making research and reading through different sources.
Talk to other degu owners and see what is working for them...etc
At this point you will be informed enough to make your own judgement/decision on the matter of what wood to use in the cage.

[marmotta]

Thank you AGAIN NigthwishRaven999 for your reply. I do indeed hope to investigate degu-safe products as much as possible. Meanwhile I HAVE to offer to my girlz what I believe is safe, and if I later decide that it isn't, I'm sure the small time they've been chewing the wood will do no long-term damage to their health!! Heck, Degus are a minefield for the owner (mum) who wants only the best for them.

p.s. I read somewhere that degus are not great nestbuilders! Well you should see the beautiful nest my two girlz have constructed out of oat hay and bits of cardboard!