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Subject: Beth and Kami
Posted by Kim S (The old Kim) on August 13, 1998 at 10:41:52:

I just got back from vacation in Ontario and saw your post from the beginning of August. The answer is that all pine/cedar etc shavings can be harmful to gliders. Cedar is the most toxic... it can adversly affect animals even as large as cats, so for a tiny glider you can imagine how much more harmful it would be. I have heard a number of people say that Aspen shavings are acceptable, but to be safe I stay away from wood of all kinds. I use a recycled paper bedding that I get at SuperPetz or PetSmart. It's super absorbant and has no odor. It's dark grey in color. It's made of the 5% of a tree that can't be used to make paper.

My fiancee decided to build a cage for my little Foster as a surprise for me, and while I was out of town for a weekend he put Foster in the new cage with Pine Shavings. He didn't know any better... and thought he was doing good, of course. It caused such irritation that Foster's underbelly was rubbed bare, and both of his gliding membranes and back knees became bald because of the irritation. My advice is to stay away from wood. Good luck!

Kim S

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