> > My question is this: I've read a couple of places that
> > pine & cedar shavings are not good for them...The
> > shavings that I got from the petshop are, I believe,
> > pine. I talked to the petshop owner and he sais he's
> > been using these shavings for the last 25 years (he
> > bags them himself) and he's never had a sick
> > gerbil/hamster...What should I do, and who should I
> > believe? Anyone has any experience with this?
Hi and Welcome!
As far as bedding goes, cedar is definitely very bad. Pine can be used
safely if you air out the pine shavings first. I never had problems with
pine with adult gerbils, just with weaning pups. But, I use Aspen now.
Of course, there will always be someone who uses an unsafe product but never
has any problems. My grandmother smoked for 50 years and never had lung
cancer or emphysema, yet I think we'll all agree that smoking is unsafe. My
point is just because one person has no problems, doesn't mean the product
is safe for all. In scientific terms: Beware of the Anecdotal Evidence!
If Aspen or Carefresh is impossible to find, use pine that has been
aired-out.
Good Luck!
Deb Adams
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