Cedar shavings and small pets
Each animal is checked separately. An answer for one species never stands in for another.
Also called: cedar bedding, cedar wood shavings, cedar chips, pine shavings
| Animal | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits | Toxic | Avoid cedar shavings for rabbits. The RSPCA only suggests non-cedar shavings, and the Royal Veterinary College and Merck advise against wood shavings for rabbits altogether. |
| Guinea pigs | Not verified | We haven't verified this for guinea pigs yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your guinea pig has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Hamsters | Toxic | Do not use cedar or pine shavings for hamsters. Merck says they can be poisonous, and other sources warn that wood shavings are dusty and can cause breathing problems. |
| Gerbils | Not verified | We haven't verified this for gerbils yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your gerbil has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |
| Rats | Toxic | Do not use cedar or pine shavings for rats. PDSA says they can be toxic, and Merck says their oils irritate a rat's sensitive airways. |
| Mice | Toxic | Do not use cedar or pine shavings for mice. Merck says their oils may irritate a mouse's airways, and PDSA and the RSPCA advise against wood shavings. |
| Ferrets | Not verified | We haven't verified this for ferrets yet. That doesn't mean it's safe. If your ferret has eaten it, contact a vet who treats small mammals. |