Chinchilla Community Forums

Chinchillas => General Chat => Topic started by: gremlin101 on December 23, 2014, 01:47:53 AM

Title: Safe and Unsafe woods. (question)
Post by: gremlin101 on December 23, 2014, 01:47:53 AM

Hi there! :)

I understand most the safe and unsafe woods (hands down)
but....
one has me in confusion...

Douglas-Fir tree. Come to find out it's "unsafe" yet, I am finding tons of CHINCHILLA toys made out of that wood!!!
 
I've had a chinchilla for three years and he's had many toys now from "Douglas-Fir" and today I was researching and never noticed that and found out it's a toxic wood to them.

Let me tell you, I feel like the worst person in the WORLD!!!!! Because he is my baby and I will do anything and everything to keep him happy.

Now, it confuses me because he's NEVER been ill or acted ill or hurt. :0 So is it a toxic wood? 

So I guess I am asking for other thoughts and what you know?
Thanks. 

Title: Re: Safe and Unsafe woods. (question)
Post by: GrayRodent on December 23, 2014, 06:44:34 AM

The toxicity of wood is related the resin embedded in the wood. All woods are going to have some levels of toxic resins but some are far worse than others. The best thing to do is stick to the woods that have the least possible impact on your pet that are considered to be safe or best practice to minimize the possibility of sickness.

Title: Re: Safe and Unsafe woods. (question)
Post by: kageri on December 24, 2014, 11:49:19 AM

Douglas fir is perfectly fine as perches and shelves.  The softwoods all contain toxic phenols but they are only dangerous as shavings due to the surface area available to release the oils.  As large pieces of wood the outside will dry, swell, and seal off the phenols.  Ingesting small amounts are not harmful either.  No more so than any other wood.  The best site I've found for safe versus unsafe wood is a site for parrot perches http://www.mdvaden.com/bird_page.shtml .  If you wander about the internet you'll find a list that includes every wood, toy, food, etc... on some list somewhere.  Many without explanation.  They are often based off opinions with little fact.

Title: Re: Safe and Unsafe woods. (question)
Post by: gremlin101 on December 26, 2014, 10:42:10 PM

Thanks for your info!
It's helped a lot!
I feel like I can breath a little bit again. lol. :)

Title: Re: Safe and Unsafe woods. (question)
Post by: LYChinchillas on January 07, 2015, 03:53:15 PM

I've compiled a bit of a list that may be helpful - it's based largely on cross-referencing from multiple sources, owners, and breeders - let me know if I've missed something!  :::grins:: http://lychinchillas.com/2015/01/07/safe-chinchilla-woods-and-chews/