I am actually not sure about oak.  I keep thinking that it’s toxic but I can’t remember if that is just the leaves and acorns only.  I have been searching old threads and the net, and am coming up with not much, but something tells me that you should stick to pine, and stay away from Oak. 

I will be posting more info if I can find it!

Different stores are going to carry different brands and different types. Is this store a chain? Can they check other locations and either have some of the pine ones shipped to the store, or worst case scenario, can you go pick them up?

I think that red oak is poisonous, but I would stay away from any oak just to be safe. I know my wood stove pellets say, “pine” and I know that pine wood stove pellets are fine (hey that rhymes).

I would just wait for more pines to come in stock, or just go to a different store, better safe than sorry!

In many places, it’s a very limited window of time where they are available. I was able to buy 8 bags last week. They will last me until next winter. Keep calling around. Try Lowe’s and Home Depot and other farm supply stores/hardware stores. If they don’t have them, ask if any of their store in the area carry them. My local Lowe’s does not have WSPs but the Lowe’s 20 minutes away carries them.

I was able to buy 8 bags last week.

Haha Beka, I bought six bags about a week or so ago to last me till next year!

Actually from what I remember all hardwoods are toxic-so if the leaves are-the wood usually is too. Anyways-yeah just to be careful I wouldn’t.

I took a look at my bags in the basement and they are “mixed hardwoods”.  I’ve used them for more than a year with no problem, and no fur staining or anything (Pepper has white feet).  So I’d say go ahead and get them

oak is definitely toxic for bunnies, so don’t get oak stuff. Wouldn’t want to risk it, even if nothing bad has happened so far…. doesn’t mean it won’t happen.

Horse pine pellets should be fine And unless your bun is sun bathing in litter doubtful they’ll stain from them More then likely hay will make green footsies first

I know I have used the hardwood ones without ill effects.  I think the process they go thru is going to change the final product- just how heat removes all the phenols (?) from pine pellets.  Do you have a Tractor Supply Co near you- they sell both wood stove and horse pellet bedding usually- price is comparable.

I would go with pelleted horse bedding. It is kiln-dried like Katnip said, the phenols are removed by heat. They are sold in large quantity for a decent price.

Kim, I myself would like to switch to a product called EcoBed. I emailed the co. to find out if it is available in North America.

http://www.ecobed.co.uk/

I don’t think EcoBed is available in North America yet. Maybe they will expand their market.

I wanted to know also if Equine Fresh was kiln-dried, so I asked the co. They emailed confirming that yes, the Equine Fresh is kiln-dried. The lady wrote that it is 100% pine that is treated only with heat and oxygen, and is OK for use in small animals, and OK to eat since they are additive-free.

It is a fact, however, Kim, that even heat-treated pine products will still have some aromatic phenols present. It is recommended to let your batch air out by storing the bag open in a ventilated place not near the rabbits, and don’t use a covered litter box. Covering it with a layer of hay in the litterbox like you did makes it safer, too. Misting the litter with water will bind up the phenols as well as reduce any dust even more.

The truth is no studies have been done on wood stove pellets to approve them for use with small animals even though they are praised in the rabbit community. If you are using wood litter the Equine Fresh is as good as you can get it. Wood Stove Pellets on the other hand can contain any wood as they are just pressed sawdust of any wood processed in a given mill.