making chew sticks from our Christmas tree?

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This topic has 8sd replies, 4 voices, and was last updated 15 years, 4 months ago by Sarita.

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- 12/30/2008 at 10:50 AM
  Dorcas
  Participant
  5 posts
  Hey, we have a new bunny and an old Christmas tree! haha. Well we were wondering if when it came to time to throw out the Christmas tree if we could cut the branches to make chew sticks and toys for her. We were thinking since the pine shavings are ok the branches should be ok too. Do we need to let it cure for 3 months? and also, our tree emits sticky sap. will that be harmful to our bunny?
  
  Thanks!
- 12/30/2008 at 11:35 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Well pine shavings are not okay for rabbits. Pine shavings have phenols that can alter the function of the liver so it’s not recommended for rabbits or any other small animals.
- 12/30/2008 at 12:49 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Sarita, I wonder if they boil the sticks and then let them dry or bake them if it’d be ok? That’d get rid of chemicals or sap and then it’d be dry? Not sure though…
- 12/30/2008 at 12:59 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I’ve read pine trees are toxic to cats and knowing that the phenols are toxic to animals I say I would not take a chance on this and just toss the tree.
- 12/30/2008 at 1:03 PM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  I’ve also heard that they coat the bark of these tree’s to help preserve them a little longer so the coating could be toxic if consumed as well.
- 12/30/2008 at 1:45 PM
  bunnytowne
  Participant
  7537 posts
  Phenols what is that? Even if the litter has the odor removed it is still bad for them? Such as with Aspen litter? Gosh I hope not cause I just switched to Aspen and find it is making less of a mess on my floor. As I trimmed Ruby’s hair so it won’t stick.
- 12/30/2008 at 9:19 PM
  Dorcas
  Participant
  5 posts
  mmm good point. we’ll just toss the tree. we ordered some apple tree sticks when we ordered our hay. thanks for the advice!
- 12/30/2008 at 11:31 PM
  Kokaneeandkahlua
  Participant
  12067 posts
  Phenols are smells. Basically they are a group of chemicals that emit a smell and are used for lots of products but naturally occur in nature. They are what is dangerous about pine/cedar wood chips-the smell that comes from them? phenols-not a big deal for most animals and us-but rabbits have sensitive livers and kidneys….
  When you smell something it goes in your bloodstream and your liver and kidneys purify the blood. So being in a medium like chips that emit phenols so that they constantly have to be filtered is what is hard on rabbits. That’s also why most air scenters and candles aren’t ok for rabbits.
- 12/31/2008 at 5:41 AM
  Sarita
  Participant
  18851 posts
  Bunnytowne – Aspen shavings are perfectly safe so don’t worry about those.
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