Wooden Parts Safety
Rat safe wood lists do not usually list their source of information, so it's best to use them as a rough guide only. Always do a google search of the type of wood and "toxic" after the wood's name, to get an idea of the safety for humans as well. If it causes respiratory irritation in humans, chances are it's a no-no for your rats too.
Example of a rat safe wood list. Use in a general sense.
Example of a rat safe wood list. Use in a general sense.
Buying Wood Toys / Parts
There is a large variety of wood available online for purchase. Bird toy wood is almost always safe. I will discuss the pine controversy below. Some of my favorite sources are:
- A Bird Toy (also look under the "natural parts" section)
- Drs. Foster and Smith (look for the build your own parts)
- Taylor Made (unique shelving)
- Popsicle sticks (important: only buy food safe)
- Petco or Petsmart (if you don't mind supporting them)
- Walmart, in stores (look at the bird toy section)
- KeepYourChinUp/Sallywood etsy shop
- Submit your suggested wood toy sources in the "Intro and Contact" page!
Sanitizing Wood from the Backyard
Refer to above, "Wooden Parts Safety," for information on which woods to choose. Wood found outside may have been sprayed with pesticides and harmful chemicals, depending on where you get your wood from. I suggest finding a known pesticide-free area (such as your own backyard if no family members spray pesticides). Once you know the wood is free of harmful chemicals, inspect it for decay. Ideally you would want it fresh from the tree, not dropped on the ground. To sanitize, I recommend getting a large pot of boiling water and dipping the wood into the water with tongs and an oven mitt. Then bake the wood in the oven on a low setting (200˚F to 250˚F) until you think the wood is dry (minimum of 2-3 hours). It is critical that you do not bake the wood with a higher temperature, because doing so increases the likelihood of the wood catching fire. The boiling water and baking ensures the wood is clean and ready for chewing.
Pine Controversy
There seems to be a ton of information against pine used in a rat cage. Under no conditions should you use pine shavings, this is a known piece of information. Pine shavings can cause respiratory infections. However, many (and I mean almost all) of the chew toys you find at pet stores are made from pine.
First off, there are two kinds of pine that are found: Kiln dried and not kiln dried. Kiln drying removes a lot of the toxic phenols from the wood. From what I know, most pine is indeed kiln dried to reduce moisture and prevent decay. The only pine that wouldn't be processed through a kiln would probably be from your backyard.
This does not mean that pine is necessarily safe for your rats. Use your best judgement when placing pine into the cage. Ask yourself, "Will this be peed on?" The urine is what brings out the toxicity in wood (I believe through moisture), so it's best to remove any soiled wood from their cage as soon as you notice. This is why I prefer to hang my wooden toys in the cage, rather than having them on the floor.
Many rat owners (including myself) find that a small bit of chewing pine won't hurt a rat. Some prefer to avoid it all together. Like I said, use your best judgement.
First off, there are two kinds of pine that are found: Kiln dried and not kiln dried. Kiln drying removes a lot of the toxic phenols from the wood. From what I know, most pine is indeed kiln dried to reduce moisture and prevent decay. The only pine that wouldn't be processed through a kiln would probably be from your backyard.
This does not mean that pine is necessarily safe for your rats. Use your best judgement when placing pine into the cage. Ask yourself, "Will this be peed on?" The urine is what brings out the toxicity in wood (I believe through moisture), so it's best to remove any soiled wood from their cage as soon as you notice. This is why I prefer to hang my wooden toys in the cage, rather than having them on the floor.
Many rat owners (including myself) find that a small bit of chewing pine won't hurt a rat. Some prefer to avoid it all together. Like I said, use your best judgement.