Cage Is pine wood guinea pig safe?

[Samii]

Hi everyone,

I’m sure this question has probably been raised before but I’m very new to forums and I’m not overly sure how to navigate my way around yet, so I hope no one minds a new post on it.

My question is about pine wood, I have read on numerous websites that pine shavings are a big no-no for guinea pigs but does this extend to whole untreated pine wood itself? My boyfriend is determined to build Ekeko a little wooden house as the plastic one that came with her cage is a little drab (although she seems to like it!) and is quite small and we were hoping to introduce another guinea pig very soon.

After buying pine and half constructing a house we suddenly thought to check and see if it was okay for her, we have found very little information that is not about the pine shavings but we have been to cautious to go ahead and put it in with her.

What other materials would those with more experience recommend? We live in Northern Ireland, so I’m not sure where to locally source a lot of the material used for the c&c cages. She is currently housed in a pet store bought cage which I know is not ideal, but while she is so small I think that it is serviceable for the near future.

Appreciate any advice at all, thank you!

-Sami

 

[Hhbean]

I found this when I looked at bedding on the main page Bedding

 

[lissie]

Pine is fine to use since the lumber for building is mostly kiln-dried.

If you are introducing another pig, make the house with multiple doors.

If you cannot find C&C materials, consider using other materials.
Alternative Cages - Guinea Pig Cage Photos

 

[M.and.F.Piggies]

Hi there, it's nice to see someone else from N.I. If your in belfast and you like the idea of perspex, there's a place on the Ravenhill road called McMordie Bros that does both perspex for the sides and all the colours of corex/coroplast you could ever want!! I got my C&C grids on amazon, but be warned they WILL try to stiff you for the postage, (the usual story, we are highlands and islands), they cost me almost £70 for 26 grids and connectors. More recently we got McMordies to cut 4mm perspex into squares the same size as our grids (14 inch), my Hubby carefully drilled holes in each corner and we used cable ties to add the clear perspex squares in between our grids, it does look quite good, each 14 inch square was about £5 and I got a double sized (14 x 28 inch) one for £10. We are now planning a completely pine and perspex cage, and the grids will only be used for floor time. If you want any more help I'd be happy to post some pictures and plans (if your OH is handy).