Sawdust and wood shavings and small pets
Each animal is checked separately. An answer for one species never stands in for another.
Also called: sawdust, wood shavings, shavings, wood chips, wood chippings, saw dust
| Animal | Verdict | Short answer |
|---|---|---|
| Rabbits | Toxic | Sawdust and ordinary wood shavings are not suitable for rabbits. The Royal Veterinary College says many can cause liver problems if eaten, and Merck says they can irritate the airways. |
| 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 | Avoid sawdust and dusty wood shavings for hamsters. The Royal Veterinary College and PDSA say they are very dusty and can cause breathing problems. |
| Gerbils | Toxic | Sawdust and wood shavings are best avoided for gerbils. Merck says shavings can block a gerbil's gut if eaten, and the RSPCA says sawdust may cause breathing problems. |
| Rats | Toxic | Avoid sawdust and dusty wood shavings for rats. PDSA, the RSPCA and Merck say they can cause breathing problems. |
| Mice | Toxic | Avoid sawdust and wood shavings for mice. PDSA and the RSPCA say they can cause health and breathing problems, and Merck says shavings can block the gut if eaten. |
| 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. |