Thread: Spruce bedding?
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Old 07-05-2019, 03:29 AM  
Pebbles82
Hamster Antics
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 23,533
Default Re: Spruce bedding?

Spruce is absolutely fine! It has about the same level of phenols as hardwood, which is a safe wood (ie pretty negligible). Unlike other pines such as fir and cedar wood which have high levels of phenols which are harmful (many people feel that kiln dried pine is safe, as that removes some of the phenols, but opinions vary and it depends how regulated the kiln drying is).

Not sure which country you're in, but in the Uk and Germany all pine shavings are kiln dried by law and the regulation for kiln drying is high in Germany.

The only substrate I know of that contains Spruce wood (as opposed to pine) are the Chipsi Classic, or Tierwohl shavings, made in Germany. However these contain kiln dried pine as well as Spruce and it doesn't say what proportion of each, so I personally consider them as "better versions" of kiln dried pine shavings.

The other thing to consider is - some hamsters can actually have any allergy - to certain woods - whether it is hardwood (safe) or softwood (only safe if kiln dried). Cedar is never safe. But if your hamster seems fine with wood shavings that shouldn't be an issue.

All wood shavings need to be dust extracted also as the dust from wood can also be harmful (it should say on the packet if they are dust extracted).

There are a number of options for paper based substrates in most countries also, or hemp bedding (I am actually allergic to hemp bedding so use paper!)

The analysis of phenols in spruce wood (as being virtually a hardwood) are in the article below

Alert! - As well as statistical analysis of phenols in various woods, this article does contain some details of experiments on mice which may upset some people - you don't have to read all of it though - the statistics are inset further down the page.

AFRMA - The Problem With Pine: A Discussion of Softwood Beddings

Which country are you in?

Last edited by Pebbles82; 07-05-2019 at 03:35 AM.
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