Is it Safe to Use Cedar Bedding for Gerbils?

Red or white cedar bedding is not safe for gerbils or any other type of small mammal. According to American Gerbil Society, better bedding alternatives include corn cob litter, recycled paper products or aspen wood.

  1. Types

    • According to "Gerbils;" Sue Fox; 2007, cedar bedding harms gerbils through their dustiness and through cedar oil, which many gerbils are thought to be allergic to.

    Significance

    • Both dust and cedar oil may irritate a gerbil's respiratory system. This can stress the gerbil so that the body's natural defenses are lowered.

    Speculation

    • "Gerbils" points out that there has never been a clinical study done on how cedar bedding affects gerbils. But studies from 1976 to 1994 have been done on mice and rats, which showed liver and reproductive problems from cedar bedding.

    Misconception

    • Pine was thought to be safe gerbil bedding, but has also been proven to damage the health of rats and mice. The American Gerbil Society does not recommend pine bedding for the same reasons that it does not recommend cedar bedding.

    Warning

    • Some cedar bedding available in pet or other types of stores claim they are safe for all small animals, but really are not.