CEDAR CHIPS FOR CAGE BEDS

[Trooper]

I would like to change to a new cage bed materials for Trooper. His second cage is outside in our back lawn and he has a real tree inside. We try to give him a natural decor inside the cage and on the floor he has had Gorilla Hair (Redwood bark hairs fibers), redwood bark chips, real grass sod, plain dirt and all seem to have some disadvantages for him, particularly the gorilla hair and redwood bark chips, that crumble into fine hairs (like those of fiber glass insulation for house walls).

I think the small hairs get into his hands top side skin, creating some kind of itch that he must clean off with his bottom incisors (attached is a picture of his left hand, but both look the same). In the process he gets some of his fur off anf he looks as if he has some kind of skin disorder.

Are there any objections from the forum savvy members about using cedar chips? They say it smells nice and fleas, moths and other bugs don't like it, an added bonus!. Any other cage mulching that are O.K. to use with an eastern gray squirrel?

Thanks,

[DarkLies212]

Stay far away from cedar!!!

The fumes are known to cause respiratory problems in small mammals and burn their lungs and eyes. I work with Aspen shavings dusted with Diatomaceous Earth to keep pests away

[stepnstone]

I would like to change to a new cage bed materials for Trooper. His second cage is outside in our back lawn and he has a real tree inside. We try to give him a natural decor inside the cage and on the floor he has had Gorilla Hair (Redwood bark hairs fibers), redwood bark chips, real grass sod, plain dirt and all seem to have some disadvantages for him, particularly the gorilla hair and redwood bark chips, that crumble into fine hairs (like those of fiber glass insulation for house walls).

I think the small hairs get into his hands top side skin, creating some kind of itch that he must clean off with his bottom incisors (attached is a picture of his left hand, but both look the same). In the process he gets some of his fur off anf he looks as if he has some kind of skin disorder.

Are there any objections from the forum savvy members about using cedar chips? They say it smells nice and fleas, moths and other bugs don't like it, an added bonus!. Any other cage mulching that are O.K. to use with an eastern gray squirrel?

Thanks,

I'm sure they do and like the insulation can get "under" the skin, it's enough to make one want to
rip their skin off... been there.
Whatever you decide to use in place of you need to consider not using any wood that contains oil
such as hickory, walnut, etc. Also take in consideration although some wood chips, cedar being one
that offer a more pleasant "atmosphere" for the caretaker can be a respiratory irritant to a squirrel
that has to live in it.

[Trooper]

Stepnstone and DarkLies; thnak you for both your comments. I am surpirsed on the cedar chips. I see so many products sold at PetCo and the like for rodents, I would think they knew this fact as well.

DarkLies: Aspen chips he? I wonder if I can get that on the west coast. What do they look like, color, size and durability?

Thanks again,

Trooper's Dad

[DarkLies212]

Stepnstone and DarkLies; thnak you for both your comments. I am surpirsed on the cedar chips. I see so many products sold at PetCo and the like for rodents, I would think they knew this fact as well.

DarkLies: Aspen chips he? I wonder if I can get that on the west coast. What do they look like, color, size and durability?

Thanks again,

Trooper's Dad

Aspen comes in a bag just like cedar. No smell, very light in color, and last a while for me. Pretty much the exact same thing as cedar without the smell and red color :thumbsup

[Nancy in New York]

They sell it on Amazon.
http://www.amazon.com/Kaytee-Products-KT00839-Aspen-Bedding/dp/B00U9O4GKM/ref=sr_1_4?s=pet-supplies&ie=UTF8&qid=1459200054&sr=1-4&keywords=aspen+bedding

[Trooper]

Nancy in New York; thank you for the link. I'll give it a try and see how Trooper likes it.

Thank you all for the advice!

Trooper's dad,