Safe Wood vs. Unsafe

[Bethany2386]

Why is Cherry wood unsafe, but pear, apple, mulberry are all ok? Sorry, may seem like a stupid question, but I guess I would like to know why some are "safe" and others are "unsafe". What makes them unsafe?

 

[Ash]

From my understanding, the chemical make up in the woods are what make them unsafe. Generally, trees that bear a pitted fruit (peach, cherry, etc) are unsafe due to their chemicals. I really don't know the exact breakdown of it though, but that's always been my understanding. If I'm wrong, I'm sure someone will correct me

 

[alli713]

Here's a website that explains it pretty well. http://www.chinchillas2home.co.uk/safewoods.htm

Any of the woods that produce a fruit with a pit are unsafe I believe.

 

[Bethany2386]

What if you feed a type of unsafe wood? What will happen? Sorry, I don't remember ever reading what would happen if you fed your chin cherry or peach.

 

[Stackie]

What if you feed a type of unsafe wood? What will happen? Sorry, I don't remember ever reading what would happen if you fed your chin cherry or peach.

I know that certain fruit trees release cyanide into the digestion system when ingested.

 

[Bethany2386]

So why are they safe for us to eat then? Sorry, just asking questions... Always have been one to ask a ton of questions.

And if you do feed them the wrong type, like I know one of the breeders was feeding peach wood before she knew it wasn't good for them, what can happen to them?

 

[Stackie]

So why are they safe for us to eat then? Sorry, just asking questions... Always have been one to ask a ton of questions.

And if you do feed them the wrong type, like I know one of the breeders was feeding peach wood before she knew it wasn't good for them, what can happen to them?

They're safe for us because we eat the fruit, not the wood. The flesh of the fruit itself is non toxic. If we were to eat the kernals, the chemical in them could convert into hydrogen cyanide, which is toxic. The lethal dose is .5 to .30 mg per kilogram of body weight. This is why we are discouraged from eating the pits of fruits.

If they are fed the wood enough over a long period of time (or short amount of time if they are given a large amount), in the case of the cyanide, I'm sure it could build up in the body and either make the chin really sick or kill them. I believe cyanide has also been used in rodent poisons.

 

[Bethany2386]

Thanks! That is interesting. I love learning why things are the way they are.