Pine cones?

[Lourdes]

Are they okay to give to guinea pigs? I've seen them at the pet store, but have pine trees in my yard so i was wondering if it was okay or not.

[luvsgiraffes]

The kind that are supposed to be for chewing?

I'm personally not sure of the answer... I know I bought some of those wooden blocks for them to chew on but they never touched them. (the plain wood kind. I think it was colored for decoration but no flavoring)

[pigsforlife]

I think they are but they have to be cooked or something? I am not sure. Slightly off topic, but what about bamboo - it has been asked on another forum quite a bit lately? And if bamboo is ok, what type? For some reason I think that bamboo is a no-no, but am not overly sure.

[kathrynj]

Yeah they have to be cooked, I can't remember how long and stuff, but as with pine shavings, it has to be kiln dried, to get rid of the toxic oils.

[bamby71994]

I saw that on a website it said they have to be coooked at 425, for 15 minutes? Not sure about the 15 part!

[Ly&Pigs]

Pine Cones
Pine cones don't have the pine bedding risk, but they should be sterilized first. Bake first to sterilize at approximately 200° for 20-30 minutes on foil to catch any sap drippings.

From http://www.guineapigcages.com/toys.htm.

[paperlady]

Great! The tree by the library drops cones almost as big as my piggies. I'll have to gather some next time I see them (or, rather, let my daughter bring them home instead of telling her no ;-)).

[Lourdes]

Yeah, for chewing. I have those large pumice cubes and they use that and all the hay they could ever eat in 3+ years.

[bamby71994]

Yeah!! I have tons of pinecones around my house! What kind??

[Lourdes]

Thanks guys didn't think to find it in toys. There are many spruce trees on my yard.