I've changed it now, but for a few monthes my rats were kept on pine! (I didn't know untill yesterday that it was pine.) Yes I know it's not allowed, but why?
If it has had an effect on my rats then what will happen? How do i know if they are okay?
2007-11-11 07:26:54 · 17 answers · asked by let me have my fractured logic 5 in Pets ➔ Rodents
Pine, Cedar and all aromatic bedding can cause respratory distress in rodents. You have fixed hte problem. Great Job. Just keep an eye out for any weasing or excessive sneezing. Everything should be fine!
Great Pets... Responsible owner... Great match!
~Tyed~
2007-11-11 07:32:03 · answer #1 · answered by owltyedup 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The dust from the pine can cause respiratory problems in your rats, which can lead to death - and a rat dying from respiratory problems is not pretty - trust me on this one, seen it.
You've changed it and your rats should be fine. However if you notice them sneezing regularly, reddish muscus around nose or eyes, or worse, they start breathing with their mouths open, you likely have an ill rat (the last one you surely do) and need to see the vet immediately.
Don't use pine or cedar bedding - cedar is worse - use a recycled paper product for the bedding. The one I like the most is called Soft-Sorbent by Kaytee - it absorbs the urine, the rats like it, and is easy cleanup.
2007-11-11 07:32:32 · answer #2 · answered by Cheese Fairy - Mummified 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
No quit employing it on the instant. it may irritate a rats top respiration device and reason some extreme issues. Use newspaper shreddings, or carefresh. They should not be advertising pine shavings as bedding for rats. exhibits merely how a lot puppy shops extremely understand with regard to the animals they are advertising :( desire this enables EDIT: Yup on the instant on the instant. Sorry, slightly bit a soreness although that's larger than your ratties getting plausible well-being issues :)
2016-12-16 05:27:24 · answer #3 · answered by melaine 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
More likely than not they are o.k. Both pine and cedar leach out phenol oils that can cause a multitude of problems. It was shown that rat litters born on these beddings sometimes had 50% fatality rates! Other problems include respiratory and liver problems as well as others. Below is some links for you to look at..
dave<:3}~...OWNER/ SHAGGYMOUSE YAHOO GROUP
2007-11-11 07:40:28 · answer #4 · answered by dave s 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pine has chemicals in it that can mess with rats' livers and also cause respiratory irritation. Yours will probably do fine now that they've switched.
If they appear healthy, they are probably going to be fine. Carefresh is a good bedding for rats, by the way.
2007-11-11 07:31:06 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
pine bedding can be harsh on there lungs the best stuff to use is carefresh or yesterdays news but if your rats start having breathing problems then that is how you will know but if they are acting and breathing fine then they should be ok as long as you dont go back to pine
2007-11-11 07:31:02 · answer #6 · answered by miranda r 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Pine wood contains oils that will cause noxious fumes when the ammonia from the rat (or other rodent) urine mixes with it. Because rodents are so close to the bedding they breathe in these vapors, and then their lungs become irritated. This irritation can lead to respiratory distress and pneumonia. Cedar wood is even more toxic. Aspen is a non toxic wood and very safe.
2007-11-11 07:30:47 · answer #7 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 5⤊ 0⤋
i kept my rat on pine and he got terribly ill. he had a lump thing on his foot [kinda like a blood blister]. the vet said this was from pine bedding and not to use it anymore for any animal. she said it can carry diseases and such from wherever it comes from. i dont know if thats even true, but yeah. my rat died about a month later. RIP!
hoped i helped a bit?
2007-11-11 07:51:25 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I used to keep my rats on pine bedding and one of them died from a lung infection. Its a common problem with rats, they're more prone to respiratory problems than other animals. I use a natural pellet cat-litter now, and they're much happier.
2007-11-12 03:04:26 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Softwood shavings give off aromatic hydrocarbons (phenols) and acids that are toxic. The phenols, which give the shavings their scent, are the reason that cedar repels fleas. When animals are exposed to softwood shavings the aromatic hydrocarbons are absorbed through the respiratory tract and enter the blood. This causes toxicity leading to health problems.
2007-11-11 07:31:23 · answer #10 · answered by ScSpec 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋